Page 41 of King Foretold (Realm of Four Kingdoms #2)
The pagoda in the woods looks much more sinister in the dark. And so does the scowl on Keeper Bae’s unlined face. Cool. This is more my scene. Much better than the love-shack vibes Shim Duna and Keeper Choe were giving it earlier today.
Then again, I’m not sure I like the tension coiling around the Sentinels. Jihun went full suhoshin captain on them and ordered them to stay behind—that was the only way he could get them to agree—and they’re understandably furious.
It’s a big ask. They’re good people who care about Ethan, Jihun, and me, and we’re making them stand on the sidelines, riddled with helpless worry. I don’t envy them. But someone has to keep an eye on Daeseong in case—in the likelihood —our mission goes awry.
Besides, our spy can only get three of us inside the Shinsi Palace.
She already took a big risk to add me to the plan.
The original plan had only included Ethan and Jihun.
I still can’t believe those two boy scouts were planning to infiltrate the palace by themselves—even after I told Ethan not to do anything stupid without me.
But I can’t say I’m surprised. I know he and Jihun will try to convince me to stay behind till the last second.
I would laugh if I wasn’t nauseous with nerves.
“I don’t like this.” I’ve never seen Hailey’s face so cold and set before. “What if it’s a trap? What if the dark mudang wants you to go get yourself killed in the Kingdom of Mountains?”
“That’s a good argument for not taking you guys with us,” I point out, even as I reach out to squeeze her hand. “You’re basically saying, ‘Why should only the three of you get to die? We want to die too!’”
“Besides, Daeseong doesn’t want Sunny to die in the Kingdom of Mountains.
He needs her alive.” Minju distractedly rubs at an ink stain on the sleeve of her jeogori.
“She and the Yeoiju are intertwined. No one can take it from her if she’s dead, because the Yeoiju will be extinguished without her.
The dark mudang can only take it from her while she’s alive. ”
I’m relieved Minju doesn’t proceed to explain that once the dark mudang takes the Yeoiju from me, then I’ll die because of the whole intertwined business. But I’m not completely sold on the idea. I mean, if we’re intrinsically connected, why is it so hard for me to harness its powers?
“How alive?” Draco growls. “She doesn’t have to be alive and well . That psychopath might keep her alive by a thread to force her to give it up.”
“Daeseong isn’t in the Kingdom of Mountains, kid,” I say. My heart hurts that they care about me. Damn it. Now I have to worry about them being sad if I die. “And you guys have to stay here and forge the sword of light. Once we stop the King of Mountains, the dark mudang is next.”
“Don’t worry. We’re nearly finished. And we’ll make sure Daeseong stays nice and snug in Los Angeles until Gwangdo 2.
0 is ready.” Jaeseok’s eyes are shadowed with concern, but he rallies with a wide, sexy grin.
“But you can just blast him with the Yeoiju and end him in the blink of an eye. You won’t even need to draw the sword of light.
Make your oppa proud and do the little choreo from ‘APT.’ when you obliterate him. ”
“Like hell you’re my oppa. I’m decades older than you. Call me noona, child.” I offer the dokkaebi what I hope is a cocky oh I’ll end that SOB, all right smile. “With that said, I’ll try my best to do the choreo. I’ve played that drinking game often enough.”
Unfortunately, Minju and I haven’t been able to continue my training in the midst of the recent shitstorm. The only thing I’ve managed to do with the Yeoiju is summon a tiny ball of light on my palm. The sword of light might be our best shot at destroying Daeseong.
But even the lone cypress didn’t believe the sacred ashes would be enough to stop the dark mudang.
Nothing might be enough to forestall the coming of the Amheuk.
No matter how much I want to deny it, I need the Yeoiju.
Only, it feels even farther from reach with the word of power etched on my back.
How can I call forth the light when I have to fight the rune’s dark magic every time the wind blows wrong?
“Cadet Cho, you will do well to remember your lessons. Captain Song and the prince will need your help apprehending the tyrant king.” Captain Seo pauses with a wry arch of her brow when Ethan makes a choked sound of protest. The stubborn male does not want to accept that I’m coming with them, even though we are literally standing at the foot of the portal. “Even if they don’t realize it yet.”
Jihun jogs lightly down the steps of the pagoda and joins the rest of us, gathered a few paces away.
Keeper Bae stands in the middle of the covered platform, muttering darkly into a mound of earth cupped in his palms. From the looks of it, he doesn’t have anything nice to say. I feel bad for the dirt.
“It took some convincing without official papers, but he’ll let us through the portal,” Jihun says grimly.
“What did you tell him?” Ethan asks.
“The same thing the council will hear tomorrow morning.” Jihun somehow manages to look grimmer.
“I’m investigating the infiltration of a spy from the Kingdom of Mountains with the assistance of Cadet Cho.
The matter is under the Suhoshin’s jurisdiction because of the death of Shim Hana.
And due to the diplomatic implications, we’re also escorting the emissary back to the Kingdom of Mountains. ”
“General Bak won’t stay convinced for long.
” Ethan crosses his arms, matching Jihun’s frown.
“But I played the obedient grandson long enough for him not to immediately suspect that I am going against his wishes. Hopefully, by the time my grandfather figures out our true objective, it’ll be too late for him to stop us. ”
“Once we have the king in our custody, even General Bak will have no grounds to start his war.” Jihun holds his gaze, and Ethan nods solemnly. “We will not fail, my prince.”
“Great pep talk, guys. I’m really fired up to go save the Kingdom of Mountains. For real.” I clap my hands not entirely facetiously. I’m going into this mission with the two males I trust most in the worlds. If anyone can succeed, it’s the three of us. “But can I talk to you for a second, Jihun?”
“Now?” He side-eyes me suspiciously, then glances at Ethan, who is speaking quietly with Draco.
“Come on.” I motion to the other side of the pagoda and walk over with him. “Ethan is still unsure of his powers, and I can’t blame him. We don’t know what’s going to happen when he uses his powers in battle for the first time. A battle against his own father.”
“I have a feeling you’re bringing up this obvious but unavoidable issue for a reason.” Jihun arches an arrogant brow at me.
“We can help stack the odds against the king.” I match his arrogant brow and raise him a cocky grin.
“As luck would have it, I’m the daughter of a talented healer, so I’m actually qualified for my cover as a physician’s assistant.
Since the tyrant’s skin is as pierceable as the rest of us, thanks to his ‘illness,’ I can administer acupuncture to temporarily paralyze both his body and his magic.
The paralysis will only hold for a few minutes tops, but it’ll give Ethan enough time to confine him under a dome. ”
Jihun’s eyes widen. “That might actually work. If we work fast, we might be able to transport the king to a secure prison without even alerting his royal guards.”
“Captain Song, the token is ready,” Keeper Bae calls out.
“We’ll discuss the details tonight.” Jihun squeezes my arm and turns back toward the pagoda.
“The travelers may approach the portal.” The grumpy keeper glowers at the rest of the Sentinels. “No one else sets foot on the pagoda.”
“That’s one salty dude,” Draco observes with a hint of admiration. “He reminds me of my favorite science teacher from middle school.”
“I thought you were homeschooled.” Hailey purses her lips.
“I’ve had a few stints at different schools in the US.” They kick a small divot in the ground with their toes. “I even stayed at a boarding school in the UK for a couple of months.”
“Did you name yourself Draco at the boarding school because those Brits couldn’t pronounce Boknam?” Jaeseok deadpans.
Draco’s growl sounds unnervingly dragon . The crotchety keeper might perish with outrage if they shift into their dragon form without official papers.
“Whoa.” I put a hand on their shoulder. “He’s just messing with you, kid.”
“Sorry, Draco.” Jaeseok’s shoulders droop when Minju gives him a disapproving look. “I joke around when things get intense.”
Hailey snorts. “You always joke around.”
“Because things are always intense with you lot.” Jaeseok pouts. “A dokkaebi has to cope, doesn’t he?”
“It’s calm.” Draco runs their fingers through their cerulean hair. “I’m just touchy because I don’t like Ethan and Sunny leaving without their armor and sword of light, especially when I can’t be there to protect them.”
“It’s not your job to protect us,” I say softly, patting their back. “It’s our job to protect you. You better get used to it. Because once this is all over, you’re going to finish enjoying your childhood.”
“I’m not a child,” they grumble.
“Fine. Your teenage-hood then.” I laugh wistfully. “Maybe we’ll go back to the States for you to finish high school, then we can send you off to college.”
Draco crinkles their nose but doesn’t immediately balk at the idea. Maybe I’ll join them and try my hand at college, or go for a job a little more rewarding than selling cigars at a crappy casino. But for now, I’ll settle for not dying.
“Ready?” Ethan leans close, and a shiver runs through me. My visceral reaction to him is a damn nuisance. “Or you can stay here and find out what Daeseong is planning on his end.”
“Nice try.” I shake my head at him. “But you have another think coming if you seriously believe I’ll ever let you out of my sight again.”