Page 43 of Sweet Dominion

Moni stepped back and hugged herself.

“Yes.” His voice shifted to more stern. “It would show me what was more important to her—power in the East or the bond that she has with you.”

“You are fucked up—”

“Monique could have lied to you and went back into the tea ceremony. She didn’t because she couldn’t lie to you and shedefinitely couldn’t hold onto something so serious for the sake of tradition.”

I shook my head. “Why would you test her in that way?”

“Chanel would have done the opposite. Do you understand that? All she cared about is power and position. She never considered things of the heart. Meanwhile, Monique doesn’t know how to live without considering her heart.”

“That fucking final test hurt her heart. Do you understand that?”

“Monique picked your love over the East’s approval. Be happy.”

“You were the only one that told her the East was important.”

“Yes, but her heart told her that you areeverything.” A dark chuckle left him. “I’m just happy she passed. During the tea ceremony, did you see? She could barely keep her hands still as she poured. That’s how much she loves you.”

I motioned to Chen. “Make sure the gates open for my father. He’s getting the hell out of here and I want him gone fast.”

My father laughed some more on the line. “You passed my test too, son—”

“I don’t give a fuck about your tests. While everyone else sees you as this great honorable man, I will always see you as a sick, sadistic monster.”

“Youtrulylove Monique.”

“You don’t know what love is.”

“I picked her for you. Are you not happy?”

I went stiff.

He responded with more of that wicked laugh. “Chanel is out of your mind. You were attentive to Monique today. Your mind was not distracted with grief over Chanel or even memories of her. You saw how nervous Monique was and you ran to her rescue—”

“I am going to kill you tomorrow. Give us the address for this fucking battle. Let us prepare.”

“Song will give Chen the address around 12pm tomorrow and the feast will begin at 7pm.”

“We don’t need a feast—”

“The East will need it.”

“I don’t give a damn about the East and you don’t define what it needs or wants.”

“You will see, son.” His laughter echoed in my ear. “The East will always be bigger than us. It goes on, no matter what we do.”

Feeling defeated, I turned away from everyone, tightened my grip on the phone, and closed my eyes. “Father. . .”

All humor left his tone. “Yes, son?”

“Why would you do that? Why would you. . .kill Yan?”

“You know why.”

“No.” I opened my eyes. “You tell me.”

And then for the first time in years. . .sadness coated his words. “Yan would have come for the throne, Lei. You know that.”

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