Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 90852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
It was such a delightful experience, like we were kids with no real responsibilities.
Under another lit cherry blossom tree, he gathered me into his arms and kissed me with so much passion I came close to exploding.
There was so much peace with him, and I felt this deep sense of belonging.
Our love was magic.
Poetic.
The night deepened and the stars shone brighter, and the staff cleared away the dishes and went to bed, and we remained out there in the garden among the scent of jasmine and gardenias.
Fireflies danced around us.
And we made love in that garden, our bodies drawn together by an irresistibly erotic force.
Our souls entwined.
If only every moment could be this way.
Just us with the world faded and invisible.
But there was tomorrow full of all types of craziness—a tea ceremony and a homicidal father-in-law along with a cookout among two groups of people who would love to kill each other.
I still wasn’t sure if Lei truly understood that he could not harm Marcy.
Did he let all of that jealousy go?
Or would it still be a problem later?
And more important. . .my sisters were coming. . .home.
Moving to Lotus Blossom.
Were we ready for all of that?
How would my love with Lei change our family dynamic?
Also, what else would tomorrow bring?
What new challenge?
What new ridiculous problem to solve?
I should have worried about all of that more. . .but in Lei’s arms. . .all worries vanished and there was nothing but this all-consuming, breathtaking love.
It made me calm.
Made me feel safe.
Protected.
Please, God. Let everything be okay.
Epilogue
The Sword and the Heart
Lei
The next morning, I stood in my palace bedroom, wearing nothing but a blue towel that clung to my damp skin.
Sunlight streamed through the windows and my thoughts drifted to Moni.
A soft sigh escaped my lips.
Damn. Yesterday was everything. I wish I could go back and live it again and again.
The memory of her laughter, the sparkle in her eyes, and the warmth of her touch replayed in my mind like a cherished melody.
“Lift your arms, Lei.” Master Wu stood before me and pressed some triangular copper object against my underarm. “Oh, I see now.”
Chen widened his eyes and got close to us. “What’s wrong?”
“The Mountain Master’s pulse is steady.” He moved the object away.
I put my arm down.
Master Wu tapped against my throat three times. “Aww.”
Chen held out his hands. “Is he sick?”
Master Wu stepped back. “There is a sense of restlessness within him.”
“He just wants to get back inside of Moni.” Duck chuckled by the wall.
I gazed over my shoulder and scowled at him.
He quit with the chuckling.
It was shocking that Duck even had the energy to make a joke. Hu and he appeared beyond exhausted by the wall, barely able to stand up.
What did they do last night? They better not have messed with Moni’s ladies-in-waiting.
Either way, they donned the appropriate formal wear for the tea ceremony and kept a good hold on their weapons.
I turned back to Master Wu and Chen, and shook my head. “Cousin, I told you that I was fine. There was no need to call in a healer.”
Chen didn’t seem convinced at all. “We should let Master Wu finish his assessment.”
Master Wu's hands hovered over my heart. “I’ve checked this organ for you many times, but this morning, Mountain Master, it does not beat. It booms.”
Chen raised his eyebrows. “Is that a bad thing?”
Smirking, Master Wu kept his hand over my chest. “The heart is a powerful force. It can heal wounds no medicine can touch.”
I nodded, barely hearing his words, lost in last night’s vivid memories of Moni. The way her soft fingers traced patterns on my skin, the way our souls entwined, dancing and swaying in perfect harmony.
A pang of longing hit me.
My palace bedroom—packed with my men and staff—felt empty without her presence.
Duck’s right. I need her.
I closed my eyes, and a smile tugged at my lips.
Yes, yesterday was everything.
Duck started chuckling. “Lei, you’ll never guess what Chen was up to last night.”
I kept my eyes closed. “What?”
Chen didn’t sound amused. “Duck, be serious today.”
Duck spoke. “Chen was trying to romance Moni’s ladies-in-waiting.”
“I was not!”
Duck continued, ignoring Chen’s protests. “He was trying to be all charming and suave, thinking he could impress them with his moves.”
“I was just being friendly,” Chen said.
Duck scoffed. “You were practically reciting poetry.”
I opened my eyes. “Poetry?”
Chen muttered under his breath, looking thoroughly embarrassed. “I wasn’t reciting poetry.”
Duck teased. “What was it then? Song lyrics?”
Before Chen could defend himself further, Hu chimed in. “We also tested them out in the gym.”
I turned my attention to him. “Are they good?”
“We had them spar with us for hours. They were impressive. Really impressive.”
“Good.” I nodded.
Duck chuckled. “I think I’m in love.”
Chen, still looking a bit embarrassed, cleared his throat. “They are strong. And top fighters. Our aunts picked well.”