If I fail, both realms fall—first the Realm of Four Kingdoms, then the Mortal Realm—and everyone dies.We can’t have that.I will succeed, then Ethan will save me. We will fulfill the prophecy of the End of Days together.
“Okay, then.” I smile at my husband and my father, feeling rich beyond imagination. “Let’s do this.”
Chapter Forty-Eight
Sunny
My father transfers his life force to me in much the same way as Hwanin—my great-grandfather?—did.
And this time, I don’t let the divine life force touch a hair on my husband’s head. I use Hwanin’sgito create a barrier between us as I absorb my father’s life force. As an added bonus, focusing on protecting Ethan from harm is a great distraction from the pain of the process.
The light from Dangun’sgiand the Yeoiju fade as they settle inside me, and my father withdraws his hand from my heaving chest. Ethan lets go of my waist and spins me around.
“Are you okay?” Cradling my cheek, he searches every inch of my face, eyes dark with concern. Even so, his worry barely penetrates the numb place where I had to go to get through it.
“I’m fine,” I say automatically, even though I’m not really sure.
“You did well, Daughter.” Dangun’s smile shines with unbridled pride.
“Thank you.” I peer at him in the dimness of the cave. “How doyoufeel?”
“Fragile.” He tips his head to the side in thought. “It is wonderful.”
“It is?” I crinkle my nose.
“Mortality is a ... gift.” He smiles wistfully.
“If you say so.” I don’t bother hiding my skepticism.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Ethan’s gaze hasn’t left my face.
“Yes,” I reassure him with a too-bright smile, but this time I know I’m lying.
Absorbing Dangun’s life force went as well as it could have. Butcontaininghisgiwithin me is another question. Thegiof Mountains and thegiof Sky clash inside me like mortal enemies, each life force fighting for dominance. The Yeoiju strains to hold on to them, but I feel like I’m being ripped down the middle.
How can I absorb two more divine gi? It’s already too much. I take a shuddering breath, panic sharpening the struggle of the divine life forces inside me. I can’t do this. I can’t ...
“Try not to hold on too tight.” My father lays a heavy hand on my shoulder. “Expand your Yeoiju, like spreading your arms to invite an embrace.”
I give him a grateful nod and exhale slowly through my mouth. I concentrate on opening the Yeoiju, imagining a lotus flower blooming wide. The two divine life forces, swirling at opposite ends, calm once they flow through the white light at my heart’s center. And strand by strand, they begin to intertwine.
“Phew.” I huff an unsteady laugh. “That’s much better.”
“You said you were fine.” Ethan narrows his eyes at me.
“Fineis such a broad, fluid word,” I hedge, wincing with guilt. “Sorry. I didn’t want you to worry.”
Rather than responding, Ethan turns to Dangun, a muscle working in his jaw. “Will the next two be even harder on her?”
I open my eyes wide and silentlybegmy father not to make him worry even more.
“Uh.” My father glances between me and Ethan. “Nothing she cannot handle.”
“So that’s a yes.” Ethan’s voice is flat and hard.
“Yes.” Dangun sighs. “Stay by her side and help her through it. Anchor her with all your heart.”
Ethan gives him a curt nod. Then, not quite meeting my eyes, he says, “I’ll give you two a moment to say goodbye.”
