Page 39 of Gumiho Kiss (Realm of Eternal Blossoms #1)

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, they would create 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?”

“Of course. Unlike some people, I knew better than to come alone,” she said dryly.

“I can’t tell if you’re angry with me right now.”

“Oh, I’m always angry with you. But”—

A sultry tone slipped into her voice, and she leaned forward until their facecloths were nearly touching.

—“when all this is over and we don’t need these masks anymore, I’ll be happy to show you just how . . . angry . . . you’ve made me. Until then, follow me.”

Hyun Soo sputtered, a dizzying current racing through him. Was she implying what he thought she was?

Before he could form a reply, Chin Sun bolted into the rain, and it was all he could do just to keep up.

With unmitigated confidence, she zigzagged through the camp toward the main gate.

She acted as if she had an extra sense as she moved, ducking around corners before he’d even heard footsteps or signaling for him to wait just in time to avoid a passing guard.

Once, he even thought she sniffed the air, but the moment was over too quickly to be sure, then they were off again, following some invisible route only Chin Sun seemed to know.

In the madness of their retreat, Hyun Soo only caught snippets of what the soldiers themselves were doing, but it seemed most were dealing with the aftereffects of the explosion rather than continuing their search for the mysterious intruder.

The damage Hyun Soo had done with the fire cart was extensive, and he was relieved to spy broken weapons amongst the rubble.

He’d blown up the right building, after all.

When they finally reached the main gate, Hyun Soo deflated at the sight of the ten swordsmen from earlier. But Chin Sun didn’t seem to mind. She darted forward, so rapidly Hyun Soo almost couldn’t make out her movements, and cut down three of them in seconds.

Hyun Soo eyed his companion with a mixture of disbelief and admiration. Since when was she that fast?

The remaining men lifted their swords, nervous but ready to defend themselves. The rain continued to fall, seeping through Hyun Soo’s hanbok and chilling him to his core. They needed to get this done quickly; otherwise, more soldiers were bound to notice them and join the fight.

“Think you can handle that one?” Chin Sun nodded at the swordsman on the far left, a lanky fellow who was swiping his hwando back and forth in a challenge.

Hyun Soo balked, unable to keep a hint of skepticism from his voice. “And what, leave the rest to you?”

Chin Sun gave him a wink that pulled at his insides. “If you can keep up, I suppose we could split them.” She skated over to the nearest swordsman and swung her blade, nearly cleaving the man in two with each successive strike.

Hyun Soo blinked a few times, marveling at her impossible strength, then approached the swordsman she’d suggested as the others crowded around Chin Sun.

With a single twist of his sword, he knocked his opponent’s weapon away, then leaped forward and pierced the man’s chest. By the time he’d turned to attack the next one, only Chin Sun was left standing, her eyes glistening with satisfaction.

“Have you been practicing since the last time I saw you?” he asked.

She inclined her head to the no-longer-guarded gate. “We can talk about it later,” she said cryptically.

The pair hurtled through the gate, blurry pine trees visible in the distance. They were going to make it. The rain began to ease up, a splinter of the pearly moon coming into view.

“I think I see Kim Min Joon.” Chin Sun pointed at a vague shape in the woods, so small Hyun Soo could barely see it.

“Not so fast,” rasped a deep voice that prickled the back of Hyun Soo’s neck. A hint of familiarity stole through him. Where had he heard that voice before?

He and Chin Sun swung toward the source, only to find Commander Song a few paces to their right. Someone was just behind him, and the commander sidestepped to allow the second man to come forward.

Kang Dol Sam.