Page 96 of Claimed By the Maharaja
Her father's smile held, uncertain now.
Yamini’s breath caught.
“I married her,” Bharat continued, his voice level.
Her father blinked and looked relieved. “Of course, Your Highness,” he said, recovering quickly. “It is an honor for us all.”
Yamini’s heart thudded.
“I did not accept her again. I married her.”
Although her father took those words as reassurance, they sounded ominous to her.
They sounded like a threat.
Before she could think more about it, lunch was served soon after.
Her father spoke too much. About alliances. About the future. About how happy the Gaur family was to see the old relationship restored.
Yamini listened without really hearing.
Her mother kept looking at her as though memorizing her face.
Her brother was silent.
As soon as the lunch was over, Bharat stood. “We’ll have to leave. I have prior commitments.”
Her father nodded with an understanding smile. “Of course, Your Highness. We know how busy you must be.”
Yamini didn’t mind that the visit was cut short. She was happy she could see her mother and could smooth things over with her family.
When it was time to leave, her mother hugged her again, longer this time.
“I’m so happy,” her mother whispered.
Yamini swallowed. “I’m happy too, Ma.”
Yamini hugged her brother next. “Bhai.”
She could see a faint sheen of tears in his eyes when he pulled back from her hug. “Take care of yourself, Yami,” he said, using the shortened form of her name that he always did.
“I will. Take care of Ma and Papa,” she said.
Her father didn’t hug her. But he gave her a brief, hard look. It held a warning.
“Don’t ruin this,"it said.
Yamini inhaled a deep breath.
Her father then turned to Bharat Jogra for an elaborate farewell, filled with respect and eagerness, as he presented traditional Gaur royal gifts.
Bharat Jogra accepted them with a brief nod.
The security carried the gifts away.
By the time Yamini accompanied Bharat Jogra to the waiting helicopter, she felt emotionally wrung out.
The blades began turning.
