Page 78 of Gumiho Kiss
Annoyance sparked in Chin Sun’s chest.She’d come all this way, andthiswas the welcome she received?Had she been wrong in thinking he’d be glad to see her?Had his feelings for her vanished that quickly?
Chin Sun inclined her head toward the man she’d just dispatched.“Isn’t it obvious?I came to help you.But perhaps I shouldn’t have since you don’t seem to want me here.”
She sighed and shook her head, irritation turning inward.That wasn’t what she’d wanted to say, what she’d been dying to say ever since she’d realized it back in Sokju.Maybe he didn’t feel the same way anymore, but she needed to get this out.“I have to tell you?—”
Footsteps cut off her confession, and Hyun Soo ushered her around the back of the barracks, where they stood motionless until the sounds of soldiers faded.Rain began to fall, splattering against the dirt.
Hyun Soo turned to her.“We need to get out of here.”
“Yeh, but?—”
“But what?”he snapped.
Heat rushed to her cheeks.She felt silly now, wanting to confess when they were in such a dire situation.But perhaps that was what made it all the more important—this might be her last chance to tell him.
“Before I left Sokju, I ended things with Kang Dol Sam.Officially.I know I told my uncle I would marry him, but I ...I just couldn’t do it.Not when I’m in love with you.Maybe you don’t feel the same way anymore, but I just wanted you to know.”
Hyun Soo drew in a sharp breath and pulled her to his chest, one hand cradling her head while his sword arm wrapped around her shoulders.Something cracked inside her, and she melted into him like wax, molding to his form like she’d been made for it.Tears welled up in her eyes, her irritation fizzling away.She’d known she’d missed him, but this—this was like coming up for air when you didn’t even realize you were drowning.
He pulled back and stared down at her, rubbing his thumb over her cheek. The fierceness in his gaze made her stomach tighten.“Chin Sun ...”
Her heart shuddered.It was the first time he’d used her given name rather than “Lady Lee” or “agasshi.”For him to speak it now, as if it was so precious it could only be whispered, was almost dreamlike.How many times had she longed to hear it pass over his lips, only to remember bitterly that she’d lost her chance when she’d allowed Samchon to send him away?
“You never have to doubt my love for you,” he whispered.“Never.”
Though his words were soft, he spoke them firmly, reverently, both a promise and a hope.Despite all the forces working against them, theywouldcreate a future together—it was a truth she could rest securely in, no matter what.
Chin Sun wrapped her arms around Hyun Soo again, completely overcome.
* * *
After a moment, Hyun Soo forced himself to step away, torturous though it was, and tried to refocus on what was most important right now.What was it again?
Getting Chin Sun to safety.That was it.
His eyes flicked back to his companion, then he realized he was still standing too close.He took another step back, fighting the desire raging inside that demanded he give in to his feelings, rip that mask off her face, and kiss her until daybreak.
Hyun Soo stifled a groan, then spun away so he wasn’t looking at her anymore.That helped him clear his head a bit.“We should get going.”
A small hand on his shoulder made him freeze, his flimsy defenses threatening to collapse.Her voice was low, gentle, and uncharacteristically vulnerable as she said, “Hyun Soo, why didn’t you tell me your plans?Why did you try to do this on your own?”
He slowly turned, shuffling back to keep some distance between them.“I was just following your advice,” he said stiffly, afraid to meet her eye.
“What advice?”
He waved the hwando in front of her, the engraving on full display: “Brave enough to stand alone.”
Lady Lee put her hands on her hips, indignant.“Are you serious?That’s not what I meant when I had that made for you!I?—“
He chuckled before he could stop himself.He’d missed getting under her skin.To placate her, he admitted, “The truth is, I didn’t want to put you in harm’s way.I swore I would protect you, remember?”
“You also swore you’d kill Gwishin the moment you saw him.And we all know how that turned out.”Chin Sun huffed so dramatically he wasn’t sure if she was joking or not.
Hyun Soo rubbed the back of his neck, guilt rising in his chest.“Yeh, that is something I’ve been meaning to?—”
“But like you said, we better go,” she interrupted.“Kim Min Joon is probably already waiting for us at the rendezvous point.”
“He’s here, too?”
