Page 27 of Sweet Dominion

What is this yumminess?

The aftertaste held this slightly sweet and earthy flavor.

My eyes fluttered and then closed momentarily as I relished in the harmonious blend.

Several reporters whispered among themselves.

Everyone in the East would want to know the ingredients of this tea and once they did, it would be the preferred blend of the year.

Aunt Suzi spoke. “Mountain Master, I too would enjoy a cup of tea.”

I winked at her. “Surely, our Deputy Mountain Master Chen could go in the kitchen, put together a blend and make a cup for you.”

The reporters laughed and to my surprise, my father did too.

I did not set the cup down.

Instead, I lovingly gazed at her.

More cameras flashed surely catching the view of Moni slowly beginning to bow so elegantly in front of me as I consumed her first cup of tea.

This image would be on every newspaper’s front page tomorrow morning.

That’s right, everyone. She’s mine. Don’t even think about it.

I stared into her eyes.

She waited for my response, again. . .that odd flash of fear appeared.

Hmmm.

Instead of speaking, I placed my hand over my heart.

She widened her eyes.

I kept my voice low. “Do you remember this?”

Chen looked from her to me and whispered, “What are you doing? Say it tastes good and let her move on.”

Ignoring him, I watched her. “Do you need me?”

My father leaned forward. “That’s enough, Lei. It is time to move on.”

I ignored him too. “Do you need me, baby?”

She nervously glanced at my father.

He watched us.

And then, she placed her hand on her heart.

Okay. I understand.

I took another sip of the tea and loudly spoke, “This is wonderful. You honor me, Mountain Mistress.”

Chen shrieked at my saying the title out loud and on camera for the first time. Of course this was not the way of the East. There was supposed to be a ceremony.

But anyone with eyes would know that I planned to never let her go.

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