“Can wait a moment longer,” I cut him off.
“I have an eternity at my disposal,” a voice like the roar of waves rumbles above us, “but you do not have a moment to spare.”
I glare up at the dragon, holding Sunny closer.
“Ethan, it’s all right.” She pushes against my chest and runs the back of her hand across her eyes. “I’ll be okay.”
I keep my gaze trained on Yongwang as I reluctantly drop my arms from around her. Then she faces the god of Water—with me standing at her back.
“Lord Yongwang, do you know why we seek you?” Sunny rasps, her throat raw from tears.
“Yes.” The god descends in a cyclone of water to stand before us in his human form, wearing a long, flowing gown of darkest blue.
“But you won’t help us.” Sunny sighs, rubbing her forehead wearily. “Why?”
“Perhaps I lack your futile courage.” Condescension warps his handsome face. “Or your unrelenting hope.”
“What are we without hope? You must see that daunting odds are better than certain death. Please, Lord Yongwang.” She drops to her knees, and I follow her to the ground. Hailey and Gyun kneel as well, adding their own silent pleas. “If I must die, I want to go down fighting for life rather than waiting docilely for death. I want to fight it with hopeful desperation, rather than surrender to it with helpless fear. Death comes for everyone, but I will decide how I meet it.”
“You are”—the god cocks his head, interest sparking in his eyes—“wholly unexpected.”
“My wifeisextraordinary.” I manage to keep my tone civil, even as my jaw clenches. In his human form, the god of Water looks nothing like Draco. I would feel no compunction punching his freakishly handsome face, if he doesn’t stop ogling Sunny. “But she speaks for all of us in the Realm of Four Kingdoms. We will not go down without a fight.”
“Allof you?” Yongwang deigns to address me.
“Yes, Lord Yongwang,” Gyun responds in my stead, with a nervous glance my way. “His Majesty has united the four kingdoms. We, all of us, will follow our king and queen wherever they lead us.”
“This indeed intrigues me.” The god of Water resumes watching Sunny, and a warning growl slips past my lips. “I cannot share my life force with you, but I will fight at your side.”
“That won’t be enough to save the realm,” I object from the ground, my hands fisting on my bent knees.
“It’s okay, Ethan.” She gives Yongwang a flat stare. “It’s gotta be better than nothing.”
The Judge of Tenth Hell makes a choking sound, kneeling next to us.
“Thank you, Lord Yongwang,” Hailey rushes to say. “We are grateful for your generosity.”
“I have never seen such disrespect.” The god of Water gives a bemused shake of his head. “Perhaps the gods have slumbered for too long. The people need to be reminded of our might. Isn’t that right, Yeomla?”
“I suppose,” a disembodied voice answers before the god of Underworld materializes at Yongwang’s side, his red robe flowing artfully in the air. “But it is unlike you to be swayed by a pretty face, old friend.”
“It isn’t her beauty that compels me, but the strength of her spirit,” the god of Water murmurs, his gaze roaming over Sunny. “I have never seen anyone more vibrant—more full of life—than thisgumiho.”
“And she may have met her equal in her fated mate,” Yeomla says with a meaningful glance my way.
“I merely strive to deserve her.” I bow my head to the god of Underworld, grateful for his unexpected support.
“It will serve you well to remember, Yongwang,” he continues as though I haven’t spoken.So much for support.“Even a god cannot separate lovers bound by the threads of fate.”
“I have not forgotten.” The god of Water shrugs with careless grace, and I narrow my eyes at him. “But you must admit it is exciting to find someone unique and surprising after all our years.”
“Indeed.” Yeomla studies Sunny too closely for my comfort.These fucking gods.“Even so, it will be best to employ thelook but don’t touchpolicy with this one.”
I try very hard to remember that I cannot take on a god, much less two, and walk away with my life intact. The problem is I’m starting not to care.
“This one”—Sunny raises a finger then points it at her ear—“can hear you.”
Yongwang and Yeomla exchange startled glances, as though asking each other,Did she really just say that to us?I cover my triumphant laugh with a hacking cough. I might not be able to take on two gods, but my wife certainly can.
