Page 107 of King Foretold
“Draco, sweetie.” I look up at their handsome face and brush their blue locks out of their eyes. I gently take the sword of light from their limp grip. “This will only hurt for a second. Be brave for me, okay?”
I glance at Daeseong across the rocky terrain. He wants fun? I will deliver the fucking fun.
With a sharp cry, I bring the sword down on the spear of darkness, slicing clean through it. Daeseong screeches in pain and collapses. The darkness dissipates into the air, freeing Draco at last.
I carefully lower the kid to the ground. I grab their hand and bring it up to their chest, pressing it down on their wound. They bite back a whimper, gritting their teeth against the pain. Such a strong, brave child.
“Rest for a bit.” My voice shakes no matter how hard I try to be strong for them.
Draco doesn’t have much longer, and neither do I. Daeseong is no longer amused. The blow from the sword of light wounded him, but I don’t know how quickly he will recover. I have to say goodbye to the kid before I lose the chance.
“You’ll feel better when you wake up.” A sob hitches in my throat.
“Liar.” Draco pauses as a cough quakes through them, blood spurting from their mouth. “I’m not stupid, you know.”
“You are many things—like a smart aleck and a thorn in my side—but stupid isn’t one of them.” I force myself to grin even as tears rain down my cheeks. “You are also brave, strong, and kind. And as much as it pains me to admit it, you are funny as hell.”
“You have your moments, too, I guess.” Their weak chuckle gurgles in their throat, but their expression turns earnest. “Sunny, I know I give you a hard time, but you know that ... you know I ...”
“I know, kid.” I cup their cheek with my hand. “I love you too.”
“I was going to say I don’ttotallyhate you. Notallthe time, at least.” Their breath rattles in their chest. “But you do you.”
“Brat.” My laugh turns into a sob. “I’m so sorry, Draco.”
“It’s not your fault, Sunny.” Their hand flutters at their chest, and I clasp it in mine. “But youoweme now. If you die, then I would’ve died for nothing.”
“You’re not going to die,” I choke out.
“Are we seriously doing this again?” Their body jerks and spasms on the ground. I hold tighter to their hand, like I could keep them with me if I hold on tight enough.
“Th ... thank you for saving my life, kid.” I rock back and forth, cradling their hand against my chest. “I will save the fucking worlds for you. I swear it.”
“I know you will, but promise me you won’t die doing it,” Draco says fervently. “Promise me you won’t die, Sunny.”
The night stirs around me. I swivel my head to glance over my shoulder. Daeseong is recovering. Slowly, he gathers the darkness into a tower of black violence above him.
I look down at the kid. I can’t ... I can’t leave their side. I shoot another panicked glance behind me. I have to be by their side when they go ...
“I ... I promise.” I bite my trembling lip and ruffle their hair. “Do you need me to pinky promise?”
“Shut up and keep your word. And when you save the worlds, you better give me some of the credit.” They turn their gaze to the brightening sky. “Hey, Dad. Did you miss me?”
“D ... Draco?” I’m shaking so hard that my teeth chatter.
“Don’t be sad, Sunny. I didn’t have to be alone anymore because of you. Thank you for being my family.” Their eyes slide closed, a faint smile playing around their lips. “Now, go kick ass.”
And they’re . . . gone.
I swallow my scream. Daeseong may delight in watching my pain and suffering, but he willnotwitness my grief. My love for Draco, and the grief born out of it, is for them and them alone. I will not share a shred of it with the dark mudang.
Think, Sunny.
I glance over my shoulder to find Daeseong getting to his feet, massaging his wrist as though it feels a bit stiff.
Is that all?
That’s all the sword of light did to him when I cut the dark spear in half? It took him a while to recover, but he looks as good as new.
