“Our diviners have been barraged with visions of the two prophecies for the last few months.” The King of Underworld has that eager, nerdy excitement back on his face. “If you truly hold the Yeoiju, and you must, since you cannot lie to Gyun, then you are part of the prophecy of the End of Days. But I disagree with the prevalent interpretation—”
“Th-that’s not important right now.” I take a choked breath. I don’t want to know about the prophecy of the End of Days. “But if you know about the prophecy of the King Foretold, then you must know what must be done.”
“The four kingdoms must be united under the King Foretold in order to defend the realm against the Amheuk,” the king answers without hesitation.
“Then will you help stop the Kingdom of Sky’s invasion on the Kingdom of Mountains?” Pleading enters my voice. I don’t care if I’mbegging if I can help Ethan. “Will you bend a knee to the King of Mountains?”
“If I make this quick and easy”—the King of Underworld smiles wanly—“do you think there will be time for you to give me a glimpse of the Yeoiju’s power?”
“Taeyoung.” Gyun shoots a startled glance at his king. “This is not a decision to make lightly.”
The King of Underworld slowly faces the Judge of Tenth Hell, straightening to his full stature. The two of them are about the same height, but the king suddenly seems to tower over the enormous judge.
“You do not know me if you believe I make this decision lightly.” His voice rumbles like thunder, and I clap my hands over my ears. I definitely should be more respectful toward him.
“Forgive me, Your Majesty.” The judge bows low, well and truly chastised. “Wherever you lead, I will follow.”
“I know you will.” The king’s expression softens. “Assemble the generals. We have a war to win and a realm to protect.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” With a quick nod my way, Gyun hurries toward the doors.
“Gyun, wait,” I call out and run up to him. “Tell the Judge of Fourth Hell ... What’s his name? The one taking Cheyun to the portal to the Kingdom of Mountains? By the way, you guys really should go by numbers.”
“Mun.” Gyun, a.k.a. Number Ten, arches an eyebrow.
“Yes.” I hold out both hands. “Can you ask Mun to tell Cheyun to wait? She can guide the Kingdom of Underworld’s army to the Shinsi Palace.”
“Understood.” With a sharp grin and a two-fingered salute, the Judge of Tenth Hell rushes out the door.
I return to the King of Underworld’s side and belatedly remember my manners. “Um, thank you, Your Majesty.”
“I am merely doing what is best for my kingdom and this realm.” The king seems back to his disheveled, nerdy self. “So about that glimpse ...”
I don’t fully understand this powerful yet endearing king, but my instinct is to trust him, as I trust Gyun. Trust isn’t something I give easily, because it makes me vulnerable. But I’m starting to understand that it also makes me stronger.
“With all due respect, Your Majesty.” I shake my head in teasing resignation. “You are kind of a nerd.”
“I will own that proudly.” The King of Underworld offers me a lopsided grin.
Rolling my eyes at him, I summon a small white orb to my palm. My smile falters when the light flickers, a dull ache squeezing my heart.
“Fascinating.” The king leans in, unaware of my discomfort, and stretches out a hand toward the light.
“Careful with that.” I fist my hand and extinguish the light before he hurts himself, and to stop hurting myself.
“My apologies,” he says sheepishly. “I get carried away when I encounter something unique.”
“Sounds like a friend I know.”I hope Minju is doing okay at the Suhoshin headquarters.“May I ask you a question?”
“Certainly.”
“Are you on relatively good terms with the King of Water?” I know the four kingdoms have been in some sort of a feud for centuries.
“Queen,” he murmurs. “The Queen of Water. And we are not exactly on good terms.”
“Like mortal-enemies ‘not good’?” I worry my bottom lip. “Or different-tastes-in-literature ‘not good’?”
“She and I ... do not get along.” A muscle bunches in his jaw.
