Page 146 of Savage Throne
Chen whispered. “Lei, you’re supposed to be seated. Now, you’re making everyone rise and confusing us even more.”
The jazz poured on.
Louder.
Deeper.
Each trumpet blast sliced through the tension like a gunshot.
And then, at last, they appeared.
I didn’t even blink.
At the far end of the path, under the cascade of blue light my father emerged from the shadows with his sapphire robe swirling around him.
And beside him with her hand tucked neatly into the crook of his arm, was Moni.
Finally.
And she was more captivating than ever.
The gown—deep blue shimmering silk—clung to her frame like it had been poured onto her skin. A fur coat was draped over her shoulders as she walked.
Jo gasped. “Damn, sis.”
A crown of sapphires sat on her newly shaved head.
Camera flashes snapped on the edges of the trail.
My father had only invited three newspapers to the event—the ones that were the most loyal to him.
Moni.
She looked amazing, but it was her face that had my body vibrating. The steadiness in her gaze, the calm tilt of her chin—it was the face of someone who absolutely belonged on the throne next to mine.
She was a queen walking into a kingdom that had forgotten it was hers.
And my father knew it.
He boldly held her arm like he was presenting her to us all, likehewas the one who’d carved her into this image of ruthless perfection.
Like she was his.
All his.
He even had his damned mouth curved into a smug, satisfied smile, and it took everything in me not to cross the space between us and cut that smile from his face.
Chen exhaled slowly beside me. “Lei, they’re here. Now you must focus and not play any of his mental games.”
I didn’t look at Chen.
My gaze returned to Moni’s face.
The jazz continued its slow, murderous wail, every note stretching the tension tighter and tighter.
Enough of this shit. I’m done giving him his fucking way.
Chen caught the shift in my posture before anyone else did. “Lei. . .what are you going to do?”
