Page 101 of Cruel Devotion

There I was, in the midst of this mountain top gathering, feeling like a display piece in a museum.

Each bite I took was slow and deliberate, an attempt to appear at ease under all of these watchful eyes.

Duck leaned forward. “You're doing excellent.”

“Am I?”

“I would have fumbled and ran off. I hate being the center of attention.”

“I'm not a fan of that either.”

“Too bad.” Duck chuckled. “You will need to get used to that.”

Horror hit me.

“After Lei leaving you like this on the throne as if to say. . .”

“What?”

“That you're in charge until he returns—”

“Oh no. He didn't say that.”

“He basically did.”

“He did not.” I placed my chopsticks on the table, grabbed my glass of wine, and took a large gulp, hoping the alcohol would ease my nerves.

It wasn't lost on me that many people at the party immediately stopped eating and began drinking wine too.

One man with a neatly trimmed beard, watched me and raised his glass high. Then, he nodded and took a dramatic gulp.

O-kay.

Another group of women at a table near us, all held their glasses of wine in the air too and waved at me.

Waving back, I whispered, “Are they drinking wine because I'm drinking it?”

Duck scanned the space. “Oh I'm sure of it.”

“Well, how do I get them to just chill out and enjoy themselves?”

“Unfortunately, it can't be helped.” He snatched up a lobster claw and broke it. “Lots of people here want to be in Lei's favor, so if Lei thinks you should be on a throne in front of them, then they will try to win favor withyou.”

“By mirroring me?”

“Is that not the best form of flattery?” He nibbled on his lobster.

“It's freaking me out.”

“It's all a game of power and perception here. You're sitting on the throne, even if temporarily. That holds meaning in these circles.”

I put the wine down and pretended to eat.

Everyone else did the same.

Chuckling, Duck put the lobster claw back on his plate. “This is hilarious.”

“It's not.”

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