Page 24 of King Foretold (Realm of Four Kingdoms #2)

By the time our palanquins slow to a stop, I have myself under control.

Even when Ethan opens the front panel with a boyish smile, I manage not to lose my vaguely irritated expression.

When he offers me his hand, I take it this time because my stomach is still too sore for me to get out on my own.

Or so I tell myself. As soon as I step out and straighten to a stand, he releases my hand.

“Now then.” I fold my arms tightly over my chest to hold onto the lingering warmth of his hand. “Let’s see what all the fuss is ...”

I trail off as I take in the verdant garden surrounding a large rectangular lily pond, with an open pagoda on the water’s edge.

Four thick wooden beams hold up the pagoda’s sloping tiled roof, elaborate enough to sit atop a luxurious hanok.

And the garden is ... green. I’ve never seen so much green in the Kingdom of Sky.

“My mother loved the mountains. The smell of earth, the vibrance of trees, the strength of nature ... all of it,” Ethan says quietly. “My grandfather didn’t understand her connection to the mountains, but he loved his daughter more than anything, so he had this garden built for her.”

“It’s beautiful.” I press a hand against my chest, soaking in the sight. “It does remind me of the mountains.”

A tight knot inside me loosens. Unlike the usual jewel-toned gardens found in the Kingdom of Sky, this garden isn’t manicured to perfection. Instead, the trees and foliage grow freely, flourishing in messy, verdant abundance as nature intended.

Las Vegas isn’t exactly surrounded by green mountains, but I’ve never felt as severed from nature as I do in the Kingdom of Sky.

I wonder if any of the Shinbiin from the other three kingdoms—beings of Mountains, Water, and Underworld—feel it too.

Like there’s a foot on the oxygen hose, pressing down with increasing pressure.

“This used to be my mother’s favorite place in the Kingdom of Sky.” His lips curve into a sad smile.

“I can see why,” I whisper.

“Come on.” He tugs me toward the pagoda with a light hold on my elbow. “Let’s get you some breakfast.”

We cross to the other side of the pond on a curved wooden bridge. As we near the pagoda, I take off in a sprint and skid to a halt at the steps. I look over my shoulder at Ethan, my eyes round with disbelief.

“What is that on the table?” My voice is an octave higher than usual.

“Has it been so long that you don’t recognize your favorite meal from Roxy’s Diner?” His grin practically dangles from his ears.

I climb the stairs and fall to my knees in front of the low table. “How?”

“I made a late-night trip to Vegas.” Ethan sits across from me and waves his hand over my plate like he’s removing an invisible lid. “Don’t worry. I kept it warm for you.”

I can’t believe he went to the Mortal Realm, and endured a round trip through the Gray Void, for some stupid diner food. I know he did it all for me. This perfect, precious idiot would do anything for me. And it breaks my heart.

“Diner food is definitely not worth the risk.” Other than the slight huskiness to my voice, I do a good job of hiding my emotions.

Ethan, on the other hand, can’t hide his flinch.

I hate myself for hurting him, even though I do it to protect him.

I sink all the anger I feel toward myself into the glare I send his way.

“What if your grandfather finds out about what you’ve been up to?

What if your father finds out that you’re in the Kingdom of Sky? ”

“This is a private garden, and my grandfather already knows I come here often.” A muscle jumps in his jaw. “As for the King of Mountains, let him come for me.”

“What the fuck, Ethan?” I don’t have to feign my anger toward him this time. “Why are you being so reckless?”

“Reckless? It’s a fucking picnic.” Frustration flashes in his eyes, but I don’t think it’s toward me. “If I can’t enjoy a simple picnic, how am I different from a prisoner?”

A silent beat passes between us, both of us breathing heavily from our argument. Every cell in my body tells me to comfort him, but that will only hurt him more in the long run. Ethan’s life is already difficult enough. He doesn’t need me to make it harder by giving him hope where none exists.

A frustrated scream builds in my chest, but I squash it ruthlessly. I don’t comfort him, but I don’t keep arguing with him either. Surely, we can eat some steak and eggs without making things worse for us.

Ethan drags a hand down his face and blows out a long breath. I meet his eyes and give him a careless shrug to signal a truce. He holds my gaze with something like despair. “You can’t even be bothered to argue with me anymore?”

“The food’s getting cold,” I say callously, looking down at the table. I need a second to build up my armor again.

After a beat, he sighs. “We can’t have that.”

“You got the same thing?” I settle my bottom onto the floor cushion and point my chin at his plate. “Do you even like steak and sunny-side up eggs?”

“Of course I do.” He slices off a good third of his steak and slides it onto my plate. “But you need it more than me.”

“Stop trying to fatten me up,” I grumble even though my heart melts at his gesture.

“Should I take it back?” He reaches out with his fork, and I curve my arms around my plate. He chuckles, and the warm sound dances down my spine. “And last but not the least ...”

A thermos appears on the table, and I nearly gasp, my eyes bugging out. “Coffee?”

“Yeah.” He rubs the back of his neck. “But I forgot the mugs.”

“I got this.” I wave my hand and summon two earthenware teacups from my room in the Sunset Pavilion. He’s not the only one who picked up some practical magic. “If these tiny cups work for tea, they’ll work for coffee.”

“Good thinking.” His expression turns suspiciously bland as he lifts the carafe. “I asked Rachel to add plenty of cream and sugar, just the way you like it.”

This time I do gasp and slap my hand over the cup. I don’t care if the hot coffee scalds my hand. “Don’t you dare pour a drop of that atrocity in here.”

“Relax.” Ethan smiles at me with such affection that I almost smile back. “Rachel knows you drink your coffee black. She would’ve boxed my ear if I asked for cream and sugar in it.”

“Asshole.” I watch him pour the nectar of the gods into my cup. I take a reverent sip, then groan, “ Fuck me. Now I can die happy.”

“At least finish your steak before you die,” he says drily.

I pretend to ignore him and drink more coffee, then I turn my attention to my steak and eggs. Is there anything as satisfying as popping the yolk on a sunny-side up egg? I slice a generous strip of steak and dip it into the yolk, my mouth salivating for the perfect bite.

“Mmm.” For a moment, there is nothing but me and the meal I secretly feared I’d never have again. Then I pick a safe topic to discuss. “How is Rachel doing?”

“Running a tight ship as always.” Ethan glances up from his dish. “She misses you.”

“I do too,” I admit quietly. “Where did you tell her I was?”

“That you enrolled in a specialty academy with a demanding schedule.”

“Vague, yet true.” I nod, impressed. “Good one.”

“Thanks.” Ethan raises his teacup in a playful toast, then takes a sip of his coffee. He immediately puts it down with a grimace.

I tuck my chin to hide my smile. He has a sweet tooth that I find adorable. I wish I could get him some sugar for his coffee, but I don’t have free access to the kitchens at the cadet barracks. There’s so little I can call my own in this realm. In any realm for that matter.

The melancholy thought sneaks up on me and rattles me, and the steak turns to dust in my mouth. I wish I could call Ethan mine. Even if there is no place in all the worlds for me, he could be my home, and that would be enough. Too bad even that much isn’t possible.