Page 27 of King Foretold (Realm of Four Kingdoms #2)

But the male doesn’t reach for his bow. He buries the arrowhead deep into his own neck.

“No,” I shout, my hand uselessly reaching out for the assailant.

Ethan catches the male as he slides down the tree and lowers him to the ground. With my limbs wobbly from shock, I stumble over to kneel next to them. I take a calming breath and focus my gaze on the male. His green life force wavers weakly around him. He’s ... a being of Mountains.

“I . . . didn’t know. I would never . . . Not even for . . . ,” the assailant mutters, his head lolling listlessly. “My children . . . so hungry . . . Even so . . . I would never . . .”

His children. A bleak picture takes shape in my mind.

His hanbok is clean but threadbare, neatly mended with patches over well-worn parts.

The bow lying next to him isn’t elegant but sturdy and well used, like the weapon of a hunter.

The weapon of someone poor but hardworking.

Someone with a family. My chest constricts painfully.

The male continues mumbling incoherently. I lower my head to hear him better, but his glazed eyes suddenly focus on Ethan. “Forgive me ...”

I grip Ethan’s forearm, and he covers my hand with his own.

“Were you sent to kill me?” Ethan’s voice is kind even though his dopo is stained with blood from his wound. The male is distraught and only has moments left to live. If I didn’t already love Ethan, this would’ve done the job.

“Y ... you look just like her. I would never ...” He whimpers. “I wouldn’t have come if I’d known.”

“It’s okay. Your ... prince will keep your family safe,” I assure him, following my intuition.

Ethan shoots me a startled glance. He can’t see the male’s gi—his green life force. He doesn’t realize he is easing one of his own people on to the next life.

“The gi of Mountains flows through him,” I explain in a low whisper. The confusion lifts from Ethan’s gaze, and he gives me a solemn nod.

“I will protect your family. They are my people, as are you,” Ethan says with a break in his voice. “Will you tell us who sent you?”

“I didn’t know ...” he repeats, too far gone to help his prince. He wraps his hands around Ethan’s and brings it to his chest, cradling it like a newborn. His eyes flit to the sky, endless tears seeping out from the corners. “Forgive me, my queen.”

“Please tell us who ...” I begin, hoping for some answers.

“Sunny, he’s gone.” Ethan frees his hand and closes the male’s vacant eyes. The last of the male’s tears roll down his temples as though he still seeks forgiveness even in death.

I take a shuddering breath, then push to a stand, gritting my teeth. “Your father.”

“He knows I’m here.” Ethan rises to his feet, vibrating with fury. “It’s time he answers for his wrongs.”

I shiver at his imposing presence, every inch the Prince of Mountains.

But I don’t long for my Ethan this time.

This is the Ethan his people need. The people of the Kingdom of Mountains need his sorrow to fuel his strength—his rage to harden his determination—to free them from oppression.

And when they’re free, my Ethan can heal his people with his kindness, warmth, and generosity.

Then and only then can he finally let go of his pain and sorrow and heal with his people.

But the determined jut of his jaw makes my stomach twist with worry.

I open my mouth to remind him not to do anything stupid on his own, when a shadow passes above us.

With a muttered curse, Ethan pushes me behind him and raises his axes.

I roll my eyes and step around him, tightening my grip on my hwando.

Captain Seo lands in a rush of wind and falls to her knees in front of him. “Forgive me, my prince. I should have come sooner.”

I clasp a shaky hand to my forehead. Seo Cheyun knows Ethan is the Prince of Mountains? Does that mean she’s on the queen’s list? I have no words. This day is doing its damnedest to give me a heart attack. It doesn’t help that I’m weak and sore from the pursuit.

“Rise, Captain Seo. You couldn’t have anticipated this,” Ethan commands, lowering his axes. “Where is Captain Song? We have much to discuss.”

I sense her hesitation as she gets to her feet, her eyes darting toward me.

I know everyone is worried about me after the injury—and apprehensive about how the rune will affect me—but I refuse to be kept in the dark.

I’m a part of this team, and I won’t be left out, no matter how well intended their concern.

“Jihun is most likely in the Mortal Realm, following a lead on Daeseong.” I cross my arms and dig in my heels, every line of my body mutinous.

“Captain Seo?” Ethan arches an implacable brow, and triumph surges through me. The captain might not trust me, or my ability to control the bloodlust, but Ethan does.

“Cadet Cho is correct, Your Highness.” She acknowledges me with a tilt of her head. There is ... trust behind that gesture. For me.

I check my bitterness, and the captain’s solemn words in the training yard ring in my memory.

Stand down, Sunny. This isn’t you. She helped me break free from the bloodlust. Captain Seo isn’t hesitating because she doesn’t trust me.

She might genuinely be concerned about me.

I rub the heel of my hand against my chest, trying to ease the sudden tightness.

“We received intel on the dark mudang this morning,” the captain continues. “One of the sentries located Daeseong’s hideout. Captain Song and his lieutenants went to the Mortal Realm to confirm his location.”

I have no desire to smile anymore. I might never want to smile again.

I feel Ethan’s worried gaze on me, but I can’t look at him.

I dig my nails into my palms. I need to stop freaking out every time someone mentions the dark mudang.

But if the intel proves correct, then I’m out of time.

I have to fight Daeseong, even if I’m not ready.

My fear awakens the rune on my back, and searing heat brands my skin. It’s not fair. Why do I have to risk my neck to save the worlds? What have they ever done for me? I wrap my arms around my midriff and hold off the dark anger.

“Once they confirm his location, they plan to observe his movements to discern his plans,” Captain Seo says meaningfully. “We won’t move in until the sword of light is ready.”

My head swivels toward her. Despite my tentative hope that the captain doesn’t actually hate me, I’m shocked that she might be trying to reassure me. Is she? I have my answer when our eyes meet.

“We still have time.” Her gaze doesn’t waver from mine.

“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. “And we will 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 be very discreet.”

“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.”