Page 51 of Sweet Dominion

I opened my eyes and leaned back, separating us. “What do you need from me? What can I do?”

“Just be there. Your presence will be enough.”

“There has to be more that I can do.”

“This battle will be Mountain Master against Grand Mountain Master. I do not want you on the floor when we take out our swords.”

My bottom lip quivered. “I can’t watch you get hurt in any way, not even a scratch.”

He gave me a sad smile. “Don’t worry. I heal fast.”

“Lei, I’m serious.”

“Me too.”

I grabbed his hand and placed it over his heart. “Promise to do the signal, if you need me.”

“I wouldn’t do the signal in a battle—”

“Why not?”

“Because I need you on the sidelines and safe. I can’t trust my father to not hurt you—”

“Do our signal if you need me. I’ll figure out something. I’ll. . .help you and stay safe.”

He studied me for a moment and flashes of some complex emotion appeared in the depth of his eyes.

I kept my gaze firm.

Determined.

After a beat, he nodded and let out a long sigh. “Alright. I’ll give you the signal, if I truly need you, but don’t fucking get hurt.”

“I promise.”

Relief came.

Good. Now all I have to do is figure out how I could help him during the battle.

We both knew how high the stakes were. But in this moment, with my hand on his while it remained over his heart, I resolved myself to do whatever it took to keep him safe. To ensure that our love story would continue its course towards eternity.

Suddenly, the helicopter began to touch down and I gazed out of the window.

Holy shit.

Earlier, his aunts and him kept saying the wordbeach houseand that was what I had pictured in my mind—weathered wood and large windows in front of the ocean. Maybe a front porch with colorful chairs and a swing. Perhaps, a roof with a few seagulls hanging around.

“Lei, what the fuck?” I shook my head.

“What’s wrong?”

I turned back to him. “Lei, that’s not a damn beach house. That’s a goddamn castle on sand.”

He blinked, looked back at the property and this booming laugh left him.

Deep, rich, and joyful.

And I loved the sound of it.

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