Page 192 of Cruel Devotion

“Nothing else matters. Not the watching East. Not the dangers of my world.” He breathed me in. “As far as I'm concerned, there's only us.”

I swallowed.

“Are you ready?”

I took a deep breath. “Yes.”

Lei opened the door, and madness greeted me.

Oh. My. God.

Chapter thirty

The Madness

Monique

“Mountain Master, you're back!”

“Sir, where have you been for these past days?!”

It was not a crowd of reporters in the corridor. It was a frantic hive of swarming with people who filled every conceivable space.

“Can we get a quick interview?!”

Not even three feet in front of us, so many of them were pressed close together behind palace security.

“Mountain Master, please look over here for a quick picture!”

They were a tangle of limbs and equipment, all jostling for a better position and a clearer shot.

My eyes darted around in fear, taking in the chaotic scene.

Further behind the first rows of people, signs bobbed above heads.

Some were scrawled with bold political statements, their words demanding and accusatory.

“Peace, Not War!”

“Open the Gates! Are we not FREE?!”

Others displayed a more personal touch, adorned with photos of Lei, framed with hearts and kissy lips.

“Our Hearts belong to the Mountain Master!”

“We love you!”

My heart pounded fiercely against my ribs.

I yearned to rush back into the quiet, candlelit place we had come from.

If not for Lei's hold on me, moving on my side, tall and strong, I might have raced away.

We remained there.

Perhaps Lei wanted it all to fully sink in for me before we headed through them.

Reporters shouted over one another. The questions were like sharp darts, each one aimed with precision but fired in haste.

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