“We need your magic, Ethan,” Jihun shouts, summoning the wind.
“Welcome back, Your Majesties.” Jaeseok joins us with his hands on fire. “Sorry about the poor reception.”
“You’re funny, Lieutenant.” A wall of water builds behind Haesan. “I like you.”
“Aww, thank you,” thedokkaebigushes, stretching out the fire into a long stream. “Hey, Sunny. Where did you find this giant marshmallow? He’s so sweet, I can’t even give him a hard time.”
Understanding the assignment at last, I gather thegiof Mountains in my hands to contribute to the collective attack. But before we canlaunch our magic, Sunny rips the tentacle in two, white light bursting from her hands.
“Embrace ... the challenge ... Jaeseok,” she pants, bent at the waist, her hands gripping her thighs. “You’ll find his inner ... asshole if you dig deep ... enough.”
“Are you okay?” I push her hair back from her clammy forehead.
“She needs the rest of our divine life forces,” Yeomla says, joining us. “Summoning the white light with just Sky and Mountains will deplete her. She needs all four life forces.”
“I c-can’t leave them now.” Sunny glances behind her as another dark arm bursts into the Kingdom of Sky, and Taeyoung joins Minju’s unit to make up for the loss of Yeomla and thegiof Underworld.
“More will fall to the Amheuk the longer we wait,” the god of Underworld says implacably.
“Go.” Jihun squeezes her arm. “We will hold it off until you come back.”
“You better not die.” Sunny pokes my royal adviser in the chest, then turns toward me. “We have to go, Ethan.”
“Where to?” I ask, even as I run at her side.
“We will be safe for the time being at the Suhoshin headquarters.” Yeomla leads us away from the battleground. “Sunny and I will be entirely vulnerable during the transfer of power. We cannot affordanyinterference. Neither of us will survive if the transfer is interrupted before it’s complete.”
When the three of us stand apart from the rest, the god of Underworld flaps his long, scarlet robe and teleports us to the front of the Suhoshin headquarters. I find my balance quickly, which is fortunate, because Yeomla bursts through the first set of gates without pause and steps into a large, spartan courtyard.
“Ugh,” Sunny moans. “The cadet training yard? I don’t have fond memories of this place.”
“Thatis your worry right now?” Yeomla gapes at her. “I am about to become mortal at the worst possible time to be killable. Please focuson staying alive so you can save my fragile life once the transfer is complete.”
She grunts in bad-tempered acquiescence.
Gods, she’s adorable.
She’s also terrified to absorb Yeomla’s life force. I know my wife. Her shoulders are slouched, and she keeps picking at her nails. I slide the wooden bar closed to lock the gates and come stand behind her.
“Don’t worry, Sunny.” I drop a kiss on her temple. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”
She releases a rough breath and glances back at me. “Promise?”
“I promise.” I squeeze her shoulder, then take a step back.
“I’m ready, Lord Yeomla,” she says, her small hands curling into fists.
“Remember, I cannot stop once I begin.” Yeomla holds her gaze.
“I know. I’m ready,” she assures him, jutting her stubborn chin.
“Very well.” He comes to stand in front of her and nods once. “Summon the Yeoiju.”
Her chest glows with white light, and the god of Underworld presses his hand against it. He gasps, his forehead creased with pain or concentration. And Sunny jerks violently, flailing her arms and legs. She’s done this twice before, but it still scares me shitless to see her like this.
But I know what to do. Stepping up to her back, I wrap my arms around her and press her against my front. Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes and anchor her with my body and soul.
I’m here, Sunny. Stay with me.
