Page 66 of King Foretold
While I try to wrap my head around all this, Ethan drops to his knees. I gasp and crouch down next to him. “Hey, are you okay?”
He shakes his head once, then looks up at Jihun with grief-drenched eyes. “Where were you when Ben died?”
“I was ...” Jihun struggles to swallow. “I was with him.”
The implications of everything he said finally hit home, and I fall limply to my ass. He must have sensed that Ben was in danger. He must have figured out what was happening ... what Ben intended to do. He was with Ben the entire time ... until he felt their bond break ... until he reached out and felt nothing.Oh Jihun.I glance up at his stoic, beautiful face, and hot tears fill my eyes.
“Why didn’t you stop him?” Ethan roars. “Why did you let him die for me?”
“Because it washisduty. He was your royal guard.” Jihun goes as still and taut as a statue, then cracks. “Even so—even though I knew it was his sworn duty—I begged him not to do it. I begged him to find another way, but therewasno other way.”
“I know that.” Ethan’s voice breaks. “Iknow, but I wish ... I miss him so much.”
“I do too. Before he died, he asked me to take his place as your royal guard, and I accepted. Ben moved on to the next life knowing he served you well—knowing I would serve you next. He was at peace. I felt it.” Jihun gets down on one knee in front of Ethan and cups the back of his neck, bringing their heads close together. “I gave Ben my word that I will always stand by your side. Ethan, I will serve you as my prince, but I will love you as my brother. I swear it on my life.”
Ethan leans in the rest of the way and presses his forehead against Jihun’s as silent tears stream down their faces. I cry too, my heart breaking for them.
So much loss. So much sorrow. All because of Daeseong.
Chapter Eighteen
The pagoda in the woods looks much more sinister in the dark. And so does the scowl on Keeper Bae’s unlined face.Cool.This is more my scene. Much better than the love-shack vibes Shim Duna and Keeper Choe were giving it earlier today.
Then again, I’m not sure I like the tension coiling around the Sentinels. Jihun went full suhoshin captain on them and ordered them to stay behind—that was the only way he could get them to agree—and they’re understandably furious.
It’s a big ask. They’re good people who care about Ethan, Jihun, and me, and we’re making them stand on the sidelines, riddled with helpless worry. I don’t envy them. But someone has to keep an eye on Daeseong in case—in thelikelihood—our mission goes awry.
Besides, our spy can only get three of us inside the Shinsi Palace. She already took a big risk to add me to the plan. Theoriginalplan had only included Ethan and Jihun. I still can’t believe those two boy scouts were planning to infiltrate the palace by themselves—even after I told Ethan not to do anything stupid without me. But I can’t say I’m surprised. I know he and Jihun will try to convince me to stay behind till the last second. I would laugh if I wasn’t nauseous with nerves.
“I don’t like this.” I’ve never seen Hailey’s face so cold and set before. “What if it’s a trap? What if the dark mudangwantsyou to go get yourself killed in the Kingdom of Mountains?”
“That’s a good argument fornottaking you guys with us,” I point out, even as I reach out to squeeze her hand. “You’re basically saying, ‘Why should only the three of you get to die? We want to die too!’”
“Besides, Daeseong doesn’t want Sunny to die in the Kingdom of Mountains. He needs her alive.” Minju distractedly rubs at an ink stain on the sleeve of her jeogori. “She and the Yeoiju are intertwined. No one can take it from her if she’s dead, because the Yeoiju will be extinguished without her. The dark mudang can only take it from her while she’s alive.”
I’m relieved Minju doesn’t proceed to explain that once the dark mudang takes the Yeoiju from me,thenI’ll die because of the wholeintertwinedbusiness. But I’m not completely sold on the idea. I mean, if we’re intrinsically connected, why is it so hard for me to harness its powers?
“How alive?” Draco growls. “She doesn’t have to be alive andwell. That psychopath might keep her alive by a thread to force her to give it up.”
“Daeseong isn’t in the Kingdom of Mountains, kid,” I say. My heart hurts that they care about me.Damn it.Now I have to worry about them being sad if I die. “And you guys have to stay here and forge the sword of light. Once we stop the King of Mountains, the dark mudang is next.”
“Don’t worry. We’re nearly finished. And we’ll make sure Daeseong stays nice and snug in Los Angeles until Gwangdo 2.0 is ready.” Jaeseok’s eyes are shadowed with concern, but he rallies with a wide, sexy grin. “But you can just blast him with the Yeoiju and end him in the blink of an eye. You won’t even need to draw the sword of light. Make your oppa proud and do the little choreo from ‘APT.’ when you obliterate him.”
“Like hell you’re my oppa. I’mdecadesolder than you. Call me noona, child.” I offer the dokkaebi what I hope is a cockyoh I’ll end that SOB, all rightsmile. “With that said, I’ll try my best to do the choreo. I’ve played that drinking game often enough.”
Unfortunately, Minju and I haven’t been able to continue my training in the midst of the recent shitstorm. The only thing I’ve managed to do with the Yeoiju is summon a tiny ball of light on my palm. The sword of light might be our best shot at destroying Daeseong.
But even the lone cypress didn’t believe the sacred ashes would be enough to stop the dark mudang.Nothing might be enough to forestall the coming of the Amheuk.No matter how much I want to deny it, I need the Yeoiju. Only, it feels even farther from reach with the word of power etched on my back. How can I call forth the light when I have to fight the rune’s dark magic every time the wind blows wrong?
“Cadet Cho, you will do well to remember your lessons. Captain Song and the prince will need your help apprehending the tyrant king.” Captain Seo pauses with a wry arch of her brow when Ethan makes a choked sound of protest. The stubborn male does not want to accept that I’m coming with them, even though we are literally standing at the foot of the portal. “Even if they don’t realize it yet.”
Jihun jogs lightly down the steps of the pagoda and joins the rest of us, gathered a few paces away. Keeper Bae stands in the middle of the covered platform, muttering darkly into a mound of earth cupped in his palms. From the looks of it, he doesn’t have anything nice to say. I feel bad for the dirt.
“It took some convincing without official papers, but he’ll let us through the portal,” Jihun says grimly.
“What did you tell him?” Ethan asks.
“The same thing the council will hear tomorrow morning.” Jihun somehow manages to look grimmer. “I’m investigating the infiltration of a spy from the Kingdom of Mountains with the assistance of Cadet Cho. The matter is under the Suhoshin’s jurisdiction because of the death of Shim Hana. And due to the diplomatic implications, we’re also escorting the emissary back to the Kingdom of Mountains.”
