Page 131 of A King's Oath

“And you going around your word would be a problem if your committing becomes a conflict to your oath. Make sure it does not, and go ahead.”

“My dynasty will always remember I went back on my word…”

“Your dynasty will remember that you held onto your oath and gracefully stepped aside. Don’t you owe anything to the Princess of Gwalior? You must have made some promises to her before you took that oath, or didn’t you?”

Silence ensued, the breaths of her baby horse the only noise.

“A lotus bud does not cower away because there is mud around it, Samarth. It rises and blooms, remains in the mud but does not let any droplets cling to it.”

Her baby horse danced with its two front feet and she ducked down, glaring at him.

Shhh,she mouthed. He snorted.

“Decide, Samarth. I told you this three months ago. I don’t want to keep telling you the same thing months, years, lifetimes later as well. You are young, this youth will pass. Hold it.”

“We can’t hold age, Hukum.”

“With the right person, you can.”

Silence again.

Her baby horse made another little whine, shaking his head. He began to neigh just as Samarth’s voice sounded over her head — “What the hell are you doing there?!”

Avantika looked up from her crouch — “Go,” she snarled. “He’ll know I am here.”

“Hukum left,” Samarth opened the stall door and grabbed her hand, pulling her out before shutting the stall door again.The baby horse thrust his head out and Samarth gave him a distracted pat, his eyes roving her body. The horse kept pushing.

“It’s ok,” she gently placed her hand on the other side of his neck, caressing slowly. “You are so cute but let’s keep the noise down, ok? I am right here…”

“Do not step inside stalls with horses in there,” Samarth clipped.

“You go inside stalls all the time.”

“I know those horses.”

“I know this one.”

“What’s his name?”

She came up short. Then glanced at the happy little beast with two hands caressing it. She nudged her chin at him.

“He says you should know,” Samarth relayed.

“What?”

“His name.”

She snorted.

“Seriously, Ava. Please. He is a foal and harmless, but all horses are not harmless. Do not ever go in without me.”

“You won’t be there with me all the time!”

“You won’t be in a stable without me.”

Her mouth snapped shut. She eyed him from the edge of her lashes, looking into his eyes, then away.

“You heard.”

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