26. Blue Phoenix
Chapter twenty-six
Blue Phoenix
Lei
My heart pounded as I kept a firm grip on Monique’s soft hand and led her toward the Palace’s grand entrance.
This all has to go just right for her. If anyone messes this up. . .I’m breaking necks.
My thoughts drifted to the plans I had for us, the experiences I wanted to share with her. I imagined us exploring not just the hidden corners of the Palace but the hidden corners of our bodies.
Because what happened in the helicopter. . .that was just the appetizer.
It was just a tantalizing preview of the deeper, sensual connection that was unfolding between us.
A taste of what could be if I put all my focus on Monique.
What should be.
Everything that went down in the helicopter—the electricity of her body, the soft sound of her moans, and the way she melted against me—it all sent a thrill through my soul.
Even with the heat of our lips meeting.
It was an awakening.
A realization of the intense desire that simmered just beneath the surface. Soon, it would bubble over and burn everything in its place, because I wanted more from her. I craved the depth of intimacy that could only be explored through the most sensual of encounters.
I could love her.
With all my heart.
With every ounce of my soul.
I could give her the world, just to see her smile, just to know that she was all mine.
It was as if we were on the cusp of something profound, a journey not just of bodies, but of hearts and souls. On the surface, our time seemed like a series of passionate encounters but I was not too stupid to not know that our bond was deepening.
Love was blossoming.
Getting closer to the palace, I considered the energy that was surging between us, even in this very moment while we walked next to each other.
It was a powerful current that needed to be harnessed and cherished.
God. . .I want to be inside of her right now.
But I had to let Monique gather all her energy, so that she was ready for the intensity of what was to come later.
Meanwhile, the anticipation of our next sexual encounter filled me with excitement. I wanted to give her not just pleasure, but a connection that resonated on every level—emotional, physical, and spiritual.
The appetizer had been exquisite, but the entrées to come promised to be even more fulfilling, a feast of the heart that I intended to savor in every possible way.
We made it to the palace.
Monique’s chest rose and fell. Nervousness radiated from her curvy frame.
Then, the towering blue doors opened to reveal the grandeur within.
The hallway stretched out endlessly. From one end, the other seemed to merge together into a distant point, creating an illusion of infinite length.
Here we go.
My father had envisioned the grand hall as a reflection of the infinite sky. In fact, the ceiling was a magnificent canvas of wispy clouds swirling within various shades of blue—from the softest powder to the deepest midnight.
When one gazed upward, my father wanted them to be lost in the serene dreamscape, where the boundaries of the palace melded into the limitless expanse of the cosmos.
We entered.
“Oh my God.” Monique stopped us and lifted her gaze to the crystal sky blue chandeliers hanging from the cloud-painted ceiling. Their delicate light bathed the hall in a haunting, soft glow.
I tensed and stayed silent.
She didn’t step forward.
Instead, she drank in many of the massive paintings adorning the walls and telling the tales of the East.
What is she thinking?
Although the canvases were alive with vivid colors, it was the varying shades of blue that really dominated each one—from deep navy to cheerful cerulean.
Then, her gaze dropped to the large turquoise vases, strategically placed throughout the hall. An array of flowers stuffed them. However, while there was a kaleidoscope of colorful flowers—brilliant reds, stark whites, sunny yellows, and deep purples—it was the blue blooms that caught the eye and stood the tallest.
Therefore, a floral perfume drenched the space.
What does she think?
Finally, her view fell to the polished tiles under our feet. It was a flowing river of blues that stretched the entire length of the hall—robin’s egg blue, pale cornflower, and even morning glory’s bloom.
The whole time, I kept stealing glances at Monique repeatedly, trying to gauge her reaction.
This world was mine and yet one I had never truly shared with anyone else so intimately.
Does she think it’s too much?
I swallowed down some of my fear.
This is hard. I hate being nervous.
I wanted to impress Monique, to show her a side of me that few had seen, but at the same time, I was acutely aware of not wanting to overwhelm her with the Palace’s intensity.
She turned to me. “Wow. That’s. . .all I can say.”
“Good wow or bad wow?”
“Good mind-blowingly, breathtaking, and mesmerizing wow.”
Oh. She really likes it.
A sense of peace washed over me. “Then, let me take you on a special tour.”
Our footsteps echoed in the hall.
A smile played on her lips. “And how many people usually get a palace tour from the Mountain Master?”
“You happen to be the first person ever.”
“Then, this truly is special.”
I led us forward. “You have no idea. Usually this hallway is packed with at least fifty people at a time, coming and going, constantly. But today I had it closed so you wouldn’t be overwhelmed right in the beginning.”
“Thank you.” She gazed around. “Because. . .no lie, but. . .I’m pretty overwhelmed already. I think if it were tons of people all around, possibly looking at me, it would have been a lot.”
“Then, I’m glad I did it. However, we won’t be able to avoid everyone in the palace most of the date, but I did buy us a lot of time.”
“Aww. That’s sweet. I really appreciate it.” She gestured at the vases. “By the way, these flowers are so freaking beautiful.”
“We have staff members whose only job is to make sure the entire palace has fresh flowers every day.”
Monique looked at the paintings. “These are amazing too.”
I stopped her at one. “This was my mother’s favorite.”
The image was a captivating spectacle of two dueling dragons.
On one side, a magnificent sky-blue dragon soared gracefully through billowing clouds. Its scales shimmered with every shade of blue imaginable—from the palest azure to the deepest sapphire.
The creature’s wings were spread wide, catching the sunlight and making it appear as though it was gliding through a sea of clouds.
Its eyes were a piercing ice blue.
On the opposite side of the canvas, was a fiery red beast. This dragon embodied the very essence of fury and power. Its scales were a vivid crimson, like smoldering coals, with streaks of bright scarlet that glowed as if lit from within.
The red dragon’s body was coiled in an aggressive stance. Blood dripped from all the wounds on its muscular body.
Still, those eyes burned with rage.
I looked at Monique. “Remember that I told you that my father loves symbolism?”
“Yes.”
“Every painting will give you the history of the Four Aces.”
“Oh.” She turned to me. “So, this is the battle between the East and the West?”
“Yeah.” I blinked. “You know about that?”
“Well. . .I happen to have. . .checked out your history.”
Secret, hidden history.
I chuckled. “Then, tell me what happened?”
“Back in the day, your father was able to make great sales to the West. They always bought his weapons and even gave him big bonuses to remain his sole customers. That happened for a while.”
Duck definitely gave her the ancient texts. But I’m impressed that she read it all.
A wicked grin spread across my face. “So if everything was fine, then what would make them battle?”
“The Killer Crows didn’t mind buying guns from Leo but when he eventually rolled up to Paradise City with hundreds upon hundreds of people and started settling them in the East, it made the Killer Crows very nervous.”
“It’s the odd nature of humans to always want to hoard resources, territories, and possessions.”
She shook her head. “Yeah, but the Killer Crows also had a bit of PTSD from others coming through and destroying their ancestors’ homes.”
That was always Dima’s response. Interesting. Maybe, he will be a good advisor for her after all.
She continued, “Then add that Leo appeared to the Killer Crows to have a never-ending supply of guns, explosives, and ammunitions.”
“It terrified them.”
“It did.” She gazed back at the canvas. “So Leo and many others from the East gave the West a little Pow Pow to make them chill out.”
I quirked my eyebrows. “Pow Pow?”
“It’s when you respectfully kick someone’s ass. Basically, they’re bugging so you want to put them in their place, but you also want to be friends afterwards. Therefore, you don’t take it too far.”
I laughed.
“What?”
“That’s a good summary of what they did.”
Smiling, she gently shoved my side. “Don’t laugh at me.”
“But you’re right. It was a little Pow Pow. No one died, but many were injured. However, soon they were back to being buddies again.”
Monique’s eyes traced the fierce expressions of the dragons. “This painting is both terrifying and beautiful.”
To my shock, sadness hit my chest. “My father’s a great artist.”
“What?” Monique glanced at me. “Stop it. Leo painted this?”
I pointed to the signature LEO in the corner, written in a deep, vibrant gold. “He did every painting in this hall.”
“No fucking way.” She scanned the space. “These are all masterpieces.”
“They are.”
“He should have gone into the art world.”
“That had been the plan when he was young, but then he saw my mother. . .” I guided us away.
We continued forward.
I couldn’t help but notice how the light from the chandeliers played off Monique’s features, making each smile, each look of wonder, even more captivating.
She pointed to a large painting on the left. “What’s this one about?”
I stopped her next to it.
The image showed a war between demons and humans. The demons, with their grotesque features overpowered the humans, their victory almost certain.
Monique tilted her head to the side. “This doesn’t make me think of anything in the history of the Four Aces.”
“Because this is about the constant struggle between good and evil. The demons represent the darker side of human nature, and their victory over humans symbolizes how easily we can be consumed by vices.”
“So, Leo was always very religious?”
“Always.” I nodded. “And therefore, he believed that art should make us reflect on both the beauty and the cruelty of the world.”
She glanced around at the towering ceilings and the luxurious decor, then turned to me with a playful glint in her eyes. “Lei, what was it like growing up in a place like this? It must have been quite the experience.”
“My father heavily guarded me, I barely got to leave the East. And when I did, it was to go to the Syndicate’s grand homes in the North or West. Therefore, I never truly understood how wealthy we all really were. In the early years, I thought most kids lived in a mansion or palace.” I grinned. “Honestly, when I did get free time, usually Chen, Duck, and me got in trouble.”
“Oh no.” She smirked. “What did you three used to do?”
“We were about twelve, full of energy and always looking for trouble. One day, we got our hands on skateboards. Don’t ask me how but we did. And we thought, what better place to try these skateboards out than the grand hall?”
“In here?”
I nodded.
“Oh I know someone whipped your little behinds.”
“Basically.”
She scanned the long space again. “But I bet it was fun as hell.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “There we were, skateboarding down this very hall. Duck was doing his best to show off, trying to ollie. Chen of course was more cautious, but still in on the fun.”
“And you?”
“I thought I was a daredevil, so I was skating backwards.”
She chuckled.
“And that was how I pretty much skateboarded backwards right into my father.”
“Oh shit.”
“He beat us with our own skateboards. I couldn’t sit for a few weeks.” I chuckled.
Monique widened her eyes. “Seriously?”
I nodded. “Seriously.”
“I mean. . .but you’re exaggerating a little bit? Right? You could sit the next day.”
“No. It was painful to sit in any way. For a good two weeks, we all had to lay on our sides and was allowed to eat in our bedrooms at night.”
“Jesus.” She studied me. “Yan said at the dinner table that your father put her in the hospital for beating you. Did she overexaggerate that?”
“No.” I shook my head. “That happened.”
“Damn. That’s. . .”
I raised my eyebrows. “That’s what?”
“Nothing.” She began walking.
I kept my pace next to her and squeezed her hand. “What?”
“That’s child abuse, Lei.”
Yeah. Dima and she will get along very well.
I slowly nodded. “But that’s the East.”
She glanced at me. “Is that how you are going to discipline your kids?”
Without any hesitation, I shook my head. “No. That bullshit dies with me. My sons and daughters will never know that sort of life.”
“Sons and daughters?” She smirked. “How many kids are you trying to have?”
I seared her with my stare. “How many kids do you want?”
She blinked. “Uh. . .I don’t know.”
“You should probably start thinking about that.” I shouldn’t have but I gazed at those lovely full breasts. “Have you ever thought about having kids?”
She paused and I stopped next to her.
She let go of my hand, put her back to me, and gazed at a portrait of my mother gazing at the pond in front of Lotus Blossom. “I’ve always imagined being a mother someday. Then, I started taking care of my sisters and I know being a mother isn’t easy at all.”
“But does that stop you from dreaming about having kids of your own?”
“Not at all. I still want them.”
“Me too.” I admitted. “But, you know, I’d want to do things differently than my parents.”
“Differently?” She faced me.
I nodded, searching for the right words. “In my household, my father was the ruler. His word was law. My mother had no say on most of anything. But I want something different. . . more equal, you know? A household where decisions and responsibilities are shared.”
“That sounds like a healthy approach. But. . .”
“What?”
“You’re the Mountain Master. You’re used to people listening to you all the time and so. . .you simply expect it from everyone.”
“I’m like that with you?”
She grinned. “Are you really asking me that?”
I tensed. “I am.”
“You’re like that with me.”
I sighed. “I wasn’t trying to be that way.”
“You just have to practice listening. . .”
“Listening to you.”
She looked back at the painting of my mother. “If we’re going to. . .be together then yes you would have to listen to me too. You think that would be challenging, considering the traditions you were raised with?”
“My upbringing was steeped in the idea of the head of the family having the final say.” I pushed through the pressure in my chest and spoke, “But I believe in change, in evolving.”
She smiled at me. “You’re willing to evolve into a nicer Mountain Master?”
“When you’re concerned.”
“And everyone else?”
“They’ll get the same bullying hard-headed ogre.”
Chuckling, she strolled away.
I was at her side fast, taking her soft hand into mine and pulling her closer to my side. “However, I’m not sure how easy it would be to give up some degree of control. You may have to remind me a few times about this conversation in the hall.”
“I damn sure will.” Her smile widened. “When I think of my future family, I want everyone to feel heard, valued. My husband, but also my kids. I may still tell them to do what I said, but I do at least want to take the time to hear how they feel.”
I studied her.
She really could be my Mountain Mistress.
“Anyway.” She gazed at me. “Lei, you still didn’t answer me about how many kids you want.”
“I’ll have as many as you’ll give me.”
Blushing, she stopped us. “Very funny, but what’s the real answer?”
“Monique. . .” I stepped in front of her. “I really am considering you for the position of Mountain Mistress—”
“We just met—”
“Should I care about that?”
“I. . .well. . .yeah. We’re talking about a big deal. Marriage. Kids.”
“There’s no one else that I would consider.”
“Yeah but that’s only because you had your eyes on someone else for a long time. Now that she is gone, it is a new day with tons and tons of possibilities.”
“My heart doesn’t work that way.” I gazed into her eyes. “You may not believe me, but when I begin to love a woman. . .there is no room for anyone else in my heart, past or present.”
“Yes. . .there still is someone else in your heart.”
Tension gathered in my shoulders. “For now, and. . .I feel guilty about saying this, but. . .that love for her, if it was love, it’s slowly fading away.”
Monique’s breathing hitched and her lips parted slightly.
“I don’t want to hurt anymore and when I’m with you, nothing hurts. Not my heart or brain, or even my soul.” I touched my chest. “It’s like every time you are with me, you are healing me.”
“That doesn’t mean we should start having kids together. It may mean that we’re good as friends.” Her hand trembled as she reached out and gently placed it on my hand that was already on my chest.
“Still, I never thought that I would find someone like you. Someone who sees me.” I took her other hand and pulled her closer to me. “I had some time to think in these past days as I ran around, searching for her body and feeling. . .ridiculous. . .”
“It wasn’t completely ridiculous. Yan is trying to get in your head.”
“And she did, but even more by the second day, I was tired of searching for the body and mad that I had even stole it in the first place.” I swallowed. “And. . .I fucking hated being away from you. . .”
She pursed her lips together.
“I had a lot of time to think too.” My heart ached. “I realized that life was too short to hold back on love and passion. Even if I feel guilty about it. Even if. . .I’m scared.”
She moved her view to the ground, telling me that I wasn’t the only person scared between us.
“It’s time for me to start taking big leaps of faith when it comes to us and embrace the unknown.”
She trembled against me.
I could feel her heartbeat quickening, synchronized with mine, as the weight of my words settled between us.
“In fact, forget about leaping.” I raised my hand, gently touched her chin, and lifted her view back to me. “I’m going to dive into the depths of love with you.”
A mixture of longing and vulnerability flickered in her gaze. She searched my eyes as if trying to decipher the truth behind my words.
I’m in this for the win. She’ll just have to understand.
My desire for her burned like a wildfire, and I couldn’t hold back any longer.
“Are you okay with that, Monique.” I leaned forward, and in one swift movement, our lips collided in a passionate kiss.
Her mouth was soft against mine, and that tongue so sweet.
Yet, I could taste her surrender too.
I groaned.
Her hands found their way to my hair, tugging at the strands with a desperate need that mirrored my own. I reveled in the sensation of her touch, the way she traced invisible patterns on my skin as if memorizing every inch of me.
Groaning, I pulled back. “We should stop now. I’m close to fast forwarding to the other parts of our date.”
“What other parts?”
I licked my lips and chuckled. “It’s all a surprise.”