Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 124836 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 624(@200wpm)___ 499(@250wpm)___ 416(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124836 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 624(@200wpm)___ 499(@250wpm)___ 416(@300wpm)
She looked back at me and her gaze softened. “I’m not ordering people to kill anybody.”
“You will, but you’ll get used to it.” Slowly, I rose from my seat and guided her up.
She stood. “I won’t get used to it.”
“You will.” I gently traced my thumb over her knuckles. “Because when it comes to making those tough decisions, I'll be helping you navigate it all behind the scenes.”
“I don’t want you behind the scenes. I want you right in front and at my side—”
“I can’t do that.” I offered a smile, trying to reassure her but the fear in her eyes did not lessen. “They will need to see you stand on your own.”
I hated even saying that, but it was true. If I were always by Moni’s side when she talked to her new men, they wouldn’t give her any respect. They would just continue to look at me for guidance.
I didn’t want that for her.
You knew that, Father. Didn’t you? Knew I would let her spread those powerful wings that you gave her.
More anger sparked at my core at the thought of my beautiful lover standing in front of thousands of other men and radiating so much power.
Many would want her in their bed.
They’d lust after Moni and imagine her naked at night.
How could they not?
The line of my jaw twitched.
She looked at me. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
I’ll have to figure out a solution to this without stepping on her power.
Now I truly knew what my father meant when he said I would have to share her. While I figured he was talking about just the East, he’d meant everyone in the empire too—from Paradise City to Shanghai.
No, Father. I still disagree. Everyone can’t have her. I won’t let them.
Moni nudged me with her elbow. “Lei, seriously. . .what’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” I swallowed down as much annoyance as I could and guided her away. “Let me show you the Mirage.”
Chapter eleven
A Tale of a Stalking Dragon
Lei
The wind carried the scent of salt.
Once we approached the estate and got right in front of the massive structure, we found ourselves enveloped in the ocean's reflection. The walls seemed to disappear, replaced by the endless horizon of the ocean.
I checked Moni’s reaction.
She parted her lips and took in the visual. For her, the sensation must have been both surreal and awe-inspiring, making her feel as though she was standing at the edge of the world, where the land and ocean became one.
“Oh my God.” She scanned the space. “I can’t believe you all just called this a beach house when it’s. . .art. . .and pure elegance.”
I grinned.
We continued forward and Moni’s amazement became more infectious, lifting my sadness.
“So. . .captivating.” She got closer to me as we walked along as if the estate could swallow her up.
Against my will, a chuckle left me.
God, I love being with her.
With Moni next to me, the sprawling mansion, the pristine beach, the lush gardens—all of it felt different, more vibrant.
In my daily life, I had taken these things for granted.
But with Moni here, everything seemed more beautiful, more significant. Her presence brought out the true essence of the properties, revealing the splendor I had grown accustomed to overlooking.
I intertwined my fingers with hers and guided her further toward the front.
There, a grand fountain dominated the entrance, its waters dancing around this huge, sculpted dragon, carved from white marble.
I pointed at the dragon. “That is Jiaolong.”
“And who is he?”
“This legendary hornless dragon who was believed to love relaxing in any aquatic environments.”
Water poured out of the dragon’s opened mouth and cascaded over its scales, creating a symphony of splashes and ripples that caught the sunlight.
“He is from one of my father’s favorite stories.”
She gazed at me. “What’s the story?”
I stopped her in front of the fountain. “Jiaolong was swimming in the ocean one day when he saw this beautiful human woman picking flowers by the beach. She was the daughter of a fisherman and loved to give her father flowers when he came ashore at sunset.”
“That was nice of her.”
“Perhaps, Jiaolong thought that was nice too, but most of all, he was taken aback by her beauty. And until that moment, he had never even regarded humans as anything more than tiny creatures that roamed the Earth.”
“Did he say something to her?”
“No, but for days Jialong would come back to that same spot in the ocean and watch her from afar, yearning.”
“Yearning for what?”
“Jiaolong didn’t know. All he understood was that he had to have her.” I lifted my view to his huge jaw as it roared out sparkling water. “For months he silently did this, until one day he could not remain in that ocean anymore. The hunger for her love and attention took over him.”
“Oh shit. What did he do?”
“Jiaolong rose from the surface. Water spilled down his massive body, causing so much noise that it startled her. That was when she turned around.”