Page 110 of Savage Throne
“You hope so?”
“Never underestimate what a man will do when his own legacy is at stake. . .and. . .”
“What?”
“And when his own happiness is at stake too.”
“What does that mean?”
Song’s gaze dropped to the steaming cup he was holding. “It means Lei isn’t just fighting Leo for the East, for power or his place in history. He’s fighting foryou.”
“He already has me.”
Song turned his view my way. “If he is alive, he has you.”
Fuck this. I’ll kill Leo myself.
I scanned the side tables next to me. “Where are my guns?”
Song smirked. “You will not need them tonight.”
“I know but I still want to have them next to me when I go to the feast.”
“Monique, Lei must fight this alone.”
I clenched my hands into fists, trying to quell the tremor that threatened to betray me. “I don’t want him to fight alone. I want to help.”
Song’s lips curved into a faint, knowing smile. “You’ve already done your part, Mountain Mistress. More than you realize.”
I blinked. “What do you mean?”
“Do you want tea?”
“No. I want answers.”
“Answers often come easier with tea.”
I crossed my arms and narrowed my gaze at him but before I could respond, he picked up the teapot and began pouring my cup. “Let me tell you a story.”
I raised my eyebrows.
The fragrant brew rose in the tent.
He set the pot down and then got a small jar of tea. “It’s an old tale—one of love, power, and a fox spirit.”
“A fox spirit?”
“Yes.” Song placed honey into my cup and then stirred the tea. “The fox spirit was ancient, clever, and feared by all. It lived in the mountains, shifting shapes, tricking travelers, and stealing treasures. Its power was unmatched, or so it thought.”
Song put the spoon back in the honey jar. “One day, this fox encountered a woman. She was not beautiful by the standards of the time, nor was she particularly remarkable. She had no power, no wealth, no great name to speak of. And yet. . .”
He picked up the new cup of tea and carried it over to me.
I watched him. “And yet what?”
“And yet, the fox fell in love with her.” He handed me the cup of tea.
I took it. “Thank you.”
