Page 11 of King Foretold
I’ve missed him so much that it hurts to look at him. I want to run into his arms, but I stand exactly where I am and clench my hands into fists behind me, using the bite of my nails as an anchor. Because now I know we don’t have a chance in hell of being together.
You saw him. Now leave.
Unclenching my hands, I lean a casual shoulder against the tree and pray that my face gives nothing of my yearning away.
“Ethan,” I drawl, as cool as a cowgirl.Leave before you make everything worse.
“What are you doing here?” he asks with a catch in his voice.
He looks even taller dressed in an emerald silk dopo and a gat. The rich, vibrant green of his long robe gives his face a luminous glow even under the shadow of his black, wide-brimmed hat. He is so beautiful. I wonder if his skin would taste fizzy like champagne against my tongue.
“What? Me?” My shoulder slips from the tree, and I stumble before righting myself. “I’m ... out for a jog?”
His lips curve into a crooked grin.Cocky bastard.I should kiss that arrogant smile right off him. Maybe nibble on his bottom lip for good measure.Right.What I should do is get the hell away from his effervescent skin and yummy bottom lip.
“Well, it was nice running into you.” I give him a dorky little wave because I apparently haven’t humiliated myself enough.
I take off in a sprint, but I gasp and lurch to a stop when his arms wrap around my waist from behind. I forgot Ethan was so fast.
“Stay. Please.” He presses me flush against his front and buries his face in the crook of my neck. “Just for a minute. Just like this.”
Just for a minute.I lean back into his warmth and close my eyes. I breathe in the crisp, woodsy scent of him and place my hands over his. He threads our fingers together and tightens his arms around me like he never wants to let go. We hold still, synchronizing our breaths, and let the moment wash over us. If only time could stop ...Just like this.
“You know my spirit eyes?” I whisper, knowing time stops for no one. I have so much to tell him, so much I want to hear, but time is something we will never have. “I thought it was a Shingae thing, but it turns out it’s a Yeoiju thing.”
“It is?” His lips brush against the sensitive skin at my neck.
“Mm-hmm.” I shiver. “Apparently, no one else can do it, which means I’m extra special.”
“Of course you are.” His rumbling laughter vibrates low in my stomach.
“Fuck you.” I smile, feeling safe for the first time since returning to the Kingdom of Sky.
“Gods, I missed you,” he rasps, his whole body wrapping tighter around me.
“Whatever.”I missed you too. I missed you so much.“You could’ve come see me anytime.”
Don’t invite him. You’re trying to make him believe you don’t care.
“What excuse would an emissary from the Kingdom of Mountains have to see a suhoshin cadet?” Bitter frustration threads his words.
I step out of the circle of his arms, and he lets me. I immediately miss his warmth, but I face him with a carefully neutral expression. It belatedly sinks in that the rich green of his dopo is not a color often worn in the Kingdom of Sky. Ethan is dressed for his role as an emissary of the Kingdom of Mountains, a special guest of General Bak.
“Off the top of my head?” I quip even as concern tightens my chest. He looks thinner. “You can ask for a tour of the training grounds.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” he says with forced levity.
But it’s no use. I’ve reminded him of our stark reality, and his face hardens into a distant, ravaged mask. It’s the tortured face of a stranger—the face of the Prince of Mountains, who lost everyone he loved to the greed and ambitions of his father. When he stares down at his hands, I know he sees blood on them.
Not for the first time, I want to kidnap Ethan and take him far, far away from his bloody legacy. But the moment he wielded the legendarygolden axe and silver axe, gifts bestowed by the Spirit of Mountains, he vowed to the Shingae that he would accept his destiny—the destiny to become the King Foretold and kill the bearer of the Yeoiju.
Distance.I step back.I need to keep my distance.
“Do you ever wonder how I ended up in LA with you and Ben?” I blurt out.
Maybe it would’ve been better for everyone if we’d never met. Ben might still be alive if Daeseong hadn’t come looking for me. Then Ethan could have navigated his new reality with his older brother by his side. All I can do is break his heart now so he will hurt a little less when he kills me.
Ethan gives me a long considering look. “No.”
