Page 43 of King Foretold
“Yes,” I say numbly. Even if I can’t wield the Yeoiju, I can defeat Daeseong with the sword of light. The burning on my back eases to a prickle, and I belatedly understand the captain’s subtle emphasis.We.I won’t be alone. My breath leaves me in a tremulous whoosh. I offer her a grateful nod. “Andwewill be ready when the time comes.”
Ethan moves closer to my side—close enough to brush the back of his hand against mine.Are you okay?he asks with the soft touch. I nudge his index finger with mine.I’m okay.His expression doesn’t change, but I feel his relief.Good.I step away and put some distance between us.
“Captain, have Minju analyze the body for magic traces,” he orders with the confidence of someone who expects obedience. “He was sent from the Kingdom of Mountains, but someone granted him access into the Kingdom of Sky. I want to know who.”
“Of course.” Captain Seo glances uneasily at Ethan’s bloodied robe. “But first, she should attend to your wounds, Your Highness.”
“There’s no need.” He waves his hand dismissively. “I do, however, require a change of clothes before I return to General Bak’s estate. No one must learn about the assassination attempt until we find the accomplice.”
Of course there’s an accomplice—a spy in the Kingdom of Sky. If we have a spy in the Kingdom of Mountains, why wouldn’t they have one of their own here? I widen my stance for balance as dizziness weaves through me. Perhaps General Bak was right to keep Ethan’s identity a secret.
“I’m sure they can find something for you at Jihun’s estate.” I glance at the dead hunter, sadness washing over me. “But how are we going to move the assassin’s body unseen?”
Ethan looks across the garden. “We can put him in one of the palanquins.”
“Since you can’t be seen wearing that”—I huff a resigned sigh—“I guess I’ll have to walk back.”
“You will do no such thing,” Captain Seo snaps. “You haven’t recovered from your injuries. And from the state of your clothes, you obviously didn’t hold back in apprehending the assailant.”
“All I did was chase him down.” My voice cracks, but I push through. “He didn’t even put up a fight. He ... he wasn’t an assassin by choice. He was a hunter being used for his skills. I ...”
“We’ll discuss everything once Captain Song and the lieutenants return.” Ethan squeezes my upper arm, and I let him because my knees feel alarmingly wobbly. “For now, let’s get you back to the Sunset Pavilion. Captain Seo is right. You need to rest.”
“How am I supposed to get back if I don’t walk?” I obviously would rather not, but I have no other choice. If we want to keep the assassination attempt under wraps, we need to transport the body in my palanquin, and Ethan needs to take the other one. I arch an eyebrow at Captain Seo and half joke, “Will you fly me back to Jihun’s place, Captain? You can carry me in your arms like I’m a damsel in distress.”
“Yes,” she deadpans, “because that would beverydiscreet.”
“Good gods.” My jaw drops. “Was that a joke?”
“Come on, Sunny.” Ethan doesn’t quite meet my eyes.
“Come ... where?” I ask, suddenly leery.
“To my palanquin.” He clears his throat. “We’re going to have to share.”
For some inexplicable reason, I turn desperately to the captain. She glances between me and Ethan, then offers me an apologetic shrug. I feel betrayed. I thought females were supposed to stick together and shit. But to be fair, what can the captain do?
“I know it won’t be comfortable, but Jihun’s estate isn’t far from here.” Ethan pitches his voice low. “You don’t have to worry. I ... I won’t try anything with you. You’re just not in any condition to walk.”
After our talk in the pagoda, I’m not worried about Ethan, but I am very much worried aboutme.
Grow up, Sunny. You’re making things unnecessarily awkward.
“It’s fine,” I mutter. “Don’t worry about it.”
Ethan scratches the side of his neck, and I look everywhere but at him.
“My prince.” Captain Seo breaks the uncomfortable silence. “I will transport the body with utmost discretion.”
“Thank you, Captain.” Ethan nods at her. Then, with a hand hovering behind my back, he says, “Let’s get you back to the Sunset Pavilion.”
“I’m not going to keel over.” I stomp away from his hand, only to have my knees promptly buckle. Ethan catches me and sweeps me into his arms as though I weigh nothing. And I squirm against his gentle hold, blushing to the roots of my hair. “I can walk to the gama.”
“I know you can,” he says without an ounce of sarcasm. “Just humor me. Okay?”
I can’t even stand, much less walk, but he doesn’t point out the obvious. How did I fall in love with the most decent and supportive male in all the worlds?Just my luck.I don’t need more reminders that I don’t deserve him, especially since I can’t fucking have him.
“Okay.” I’m much too tempted to burrow into his chest, so I hold my head awkwardly away from him.
