HOOR

CHAPTER 12: GAYATRI

I felt his hand in mine, and the immediate warmth of his palm was enough to make me smile inwardly. The pulse beneath his skin raced, betraying him, though he tried to mask it. I could almost feel the tension in him—he was trying to stay composed, trying to maintain control, but his body gave him away.

It was almost too easy, really. The General—Aditya—so steadfast and composed, shaken by the simplest of gestures. I couldn’t help but giggle quietly to myself, though he’d never hear it. How could he? His own pulse was like a drumbeat in my ear, but I was the one who found it utterly hilarious.

I took his hand, guiding it slowly, deliberately, to my waist. The moment it settled there, I could feel his breath catch. So sensitive, this man—his hand stiffened almost immediately, but I didn’t let go.

"Aditya," I whispered his name softly, letting it roll off my tongue. I could feel the subtle shift in his body as I spoke it, could see his muscles tense, his face trying so hard to remain unmoved.

He wasn’t fooling me.

Slowly, I let his hand drift further, down across my waist, until it reached the curve of my hips. The moment it touched the lower part of my back, I felt his grip tighten—instantly, instinctively—as if he was trying to hold on to his last shred of control.

"Ga-Gayatri... this is wrong," his voice was low, caught somewhere between disbelief and something else—something that only made me smile more.

I tilted my head, my lips brushing against his ear as I whispered softly, "What is wrong, Aditya?"

The change in his posture was immediate. His body stiffened further, a slight tension building between us. But he wasn’t ready for what I did next. Before he could even react, I moved a little closer, closing the space between us.

But then, almost like he couldn't control himself anymore, he gently pushed me away—not far, just enough to break the closeness. His chest rose and fell quickly, as if he were out of breath.

And in that moment, I couldn’t hold it in anymore. I burst into laughter, loud and free. The sound of it echoed through the night, and for a moment, I couldn’t even contain myself. There was something almost childishly triumphant about it—the way his face hardened, his jaw set, and how utterly flustered he seemed.

He glared at me, and I laughed even harder, seeing the mix of frustration and confusion in his eyes.

This was the General—the rock, the steady leader—brought to his knees by a single touch. And honestly? I couldn’t think of anything funnier.

-

The day had passed in the usual humdrum rhythm. I had been cleaning the windows, wiping away the dust that accumulated with each passing hour, when Meghana appeared. She stood there, her expression neutral as always, but there was something in her eyes that made me pause.

"The King is asking for you," she said, her tone almost too calm.

I froze for a moment, the rag still in my hand. The King? Why would he want to see me? I hadn't been summoned by him in weeks, and I couldn’t recall doing anything special enough to warrant an audience.

A sudden unease curled in my stomach. Had I done something wrong? Maybe someone had noticed the mistake I made with the laundry last week, or perhaps… was there some complaint? The possibilities flooded my mind, each one more troubling than the last.

I tried to push the thoughts aside and walked quickly towards the King's and Queen's chambers. My heart beat a little faster with every step, my mind racing for some clue as to why I was being summoned. What could she possibly need from me?

I knocked on the door, my fingers pressing just hard enough to make the sound sharp and deliberate. When it swung open, I didn’t expect to feel that strange flutter in my chest at the sight of him.

The General.

Our eyes met—just for a second, but it was enough. His gaze flickered away too quickly, and I noticed the subtle shift in his posture. He stepped back, almost imperceptibly, like he was trying to put just a little more distance between us.

I couldn’t help the smirk that curled at the edge of my mouth.

Interesting.

I casually walked and stood against him, standing closer to him than I knew he’d like. He shifted again, trying to sidestep me, but I stayed right there. It was amusing, really, how easily he seemed to lose his composure around me now.

It made me chuckle inside. Funny, how things had changed after that night. It was like I’d left some sort of mark on him, and no matter how much he tried to play the stoic, untouchable General, there was no hiding that little crack in his armor.

I could feel the tension between us, thick and palpable. He was doing his best not to show it, but I knew. I could see it in the way he avoided my eyes, the way his shoulders were just a little too stiff.

It felt good.

-

We heard the King clear his throat as if he could sense the tension between us. I didn't let it falter my attitude as I kept on focusing on what he was about to say, and of course the general. (Winks)

"That attack," the king went on, his gaze shifting between us, "wasn’t just an isolated incident. It was a message. A warning that we’re not as safe as we believed, even within our own walls." He paused, exhaling heavily. "There are whispers of an ancient prophecy—a curse that supposedly haunts my bloodline, specifically threatening the queen’s life."

Aditya clenched his fists. "Your highness, I don’t put my faith in fairy tales and rumors. But if people believe this prophecy, it’ll spread fear like wildfire. It could make us vulnerable to more attacks, both from within and beyond our borders."

The king nodded, his jaw tight with determination. "Which is why I need both of you. I want you to investigate this ‘prophecy’—find out who is feeding it to the people, who stands to gain from making the queen a target. But you must act with absolute secrecy."

I glanced at the general, feeling the weight of his scrutiny. He was clearly not thrilled about working with me. But the king’s command was unwavering.

"General, you’ll continue with your duties as usual, ensuring the palace remains fortified. Gayatri, you’ll work in the shadows, beyond the eyes of the court. Seek out information, watch for signs of betrayal. And if there are enemies hiding within these walls, I expect you to uncover them."

The king’s gaze sharpened. "I can’t afford to lose my queen. And I’ll need both of you to prevent that fate—whether the prophecy is real or not."

He turned away, dismissing us both with a final nod. As I stepped back, the weight of his words settled over me.

We
Were
Fucked.

_________________

What is this prophecy?

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