Page 320 of A King's Oath

“Close to 22. Why?”

“You’ve maintained a decent body for two decades, congratulations.”

His chest rattled.

“Thank you, I appreciate your good eye, Raje.”

Her head turned into his chest, her lips puckering on his cool skin. It warmed where they touched.

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For listening to Hukum and coming to Loire.”

“That man. He can run entire kingdoms like his personal circus,” Samarth mused. “You don’t know how indebted I will be to him for pointing me in your and Brahmi’s direction. Did he mention anything about me when he met you in Loire?”

She shook her head. “He was as shocked as I was to see him. We talked courteous pleasantries. He didn’t know I was therefor Brahmi’s lessons. And I thought I sneaked out with Brahmi before he could finish his brunch… I guess not.”

“Rajmata had to push me out of my chamber to catch my flight. Now when I think back two months ago… how things changed.”

“Howyouchanged,” she cupped his jaw, her fingers scraping in the evening growth along his cheek. “Thank you for liberating yourself.”

He smiled, stroking the back of her hand.

“Did you miss your mother today?”

He frowned — “No. Why?”

“She wasn’t invited… I just thought…”

“In fact, shewasinvited. Papa was hesitant but Rajmata insisted. She didn’t show up.”

“And you?”

“I had Rajmata.”

Ava’s mouth softened. Her eyes lit up.

“I have a lot to thank her for.”

“Who? The whacko?”

She punched his chest.

“Don’t tell her I used to call her that.”

“Uh oh…”

“You did?” Her head whizzed up. He grinned, cupping it and pulling it back to his chest — “No.”

“Good, that secret is buried between us.”

A beat of silence passed between them.

“Ava?”

“What?” She yawned. “I am about to sleep…”

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