Page 27 of Cruel Devotion

Now with the cups off and the healers out of the tent, we waited for the final assessment from the head healer.

Without his final approval, neither one of us could leave.

Come on. Hurry up. I have a power-hungry sister to deal with and I’m ready to get back to Monique.

My body hummed from the thought of being near her again.

Sighing, I raised my hand and traced the surface of my chest with my fingertips feeling the strange, puckered indentations left in the wake of the fire therapy cups.

Duck lay parallel to me and bore similar marks on his rugged frame.

Hopefully, the conversation of Monique is now a simple misunderstanding that we can put in the past.

I assumed all was now clear.

Still, we both remained silent as if separated by a considerable distance. And that space between us ran thick with the uneasiness caused by our fight.

Will he truly stand to the side when it comes to her?

My eyes traveled up, coming to rest on the mythical creatures that adorned the tent’s ceiling.

Each one was famous and breathtakingly detailed.

Many weaved among clouds and flames. Their piercing stares shimmered with a mystical glow. It was like they were engaged in a perpetual ballet, their motions graceful and synchronized, narrating tales of heroic deeds and myths from centuries past.

Qinglong, the Azure Dragon of the East, famed for heralding new beginnings, soared majestically with his azure scales catching the light.Zhuque, the Vermilion Bird of the South, renowned for her elegant dance of rebirth and purification, flapped her fiery wings, leaving a trail of embers.Xuanwu, the Black Tortoise of the North, a symbol of endurance and strength, stood resilient amidst the churning mists, his shell and snake tail intertwining in a protective stance. And there was evenBaihu, the White Tiger of the West, celebrated for his power and bravery. He prowled the edges with a commanding presence.

But beyond the tales of individual heroics, there was a deeper narrative—one of unity and collective strength.

The creatures—while each powerful on its own—became truly formidable when intertwined, their scales gleaming brighter and their roars more resonant.

And as I studied them, it was as if they were teaching a silent lesson—unity magnifies power, while division diminishes it.

I traced their winding paths with my eyes and found myself getting lost in their mythical world. It was a welcomed distraction from the inner chaos within me.

Why did Yan have to show up? It’s hard enough that I have to deal with our father, now here she is. What new problems will she bring?

To my surprise, Duck broke the silence. “So. . .”

Just with that one word, I noticed the hesitance in it.

I turned to him. “So?”

He stared at the creatures covering the ceiling. “We are good?”

“As long as everything is respected.”

“Alright.”

I eyed him. “Why?”

“I’m wondering something.”

“What?”

Duck looked at me. “I have a question.”

“Then, say it.”

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