“Good. I’m glad to hear that.” He clears his throat. “I-I’m glad to hear your voice.”
“Me too.” A sob escapes past her lips. “I thought ... I couldn’t ... What if you were gone?”
“Bora.” His voice deepens into a husky rumble. “You would have known if I was gone.”
“Yes, I-I would have felt the threads of fate break.” She nods rapidly, then covers another sob with her hand. “I’ve been so foolish, Taeyoung.”
He stays silent, but his intense gaze bores into the queen.
“The Code of the Realm cannot dictate our love.” She wipes away her tears and draws her shoulders back. “My crown does not rule my heart. If we survive this, I will leave the throne, if it means I can be with you.”
“Whenwe survive, I will do the same for you,” he vows. “I love you, Bora.”
“I love you too.” The Queen of Water presses a palm over her heart, then takes a half step toward the mirror. “Taeyoung, I will appeal to the Queen of Sky to allow my people to receive asylum there. You should do the same for your people. You can’t remain in purgatory for long.”
“I will.” The surface of the water shivers. And the king’s eyes turn desperate as they dart over the queen’s face.
“We don’t have much time,” she chokes out.
“I will see you soon, my love.” He holds up a palm.
“And I you,” she whispers, hovering her palm over his.
“I’m so sorry, Your Majesty.” I hate to do this, but I interrupt their heartfelt moment anyway.
I can’t pass up even the slimmest chance of seeing Ethan’s face ... of hearing his voice. I might not get another chance.
“Can you ask the king to relay a message to my friend, Captain Seo?” I speak in a rush. “If she and the generals haven’t left for the Kingdom of Mountains yet.”
“Of course,” the queen says graciously, wiping the corners of her eyes with a delicate finger.
“I need her to tell the King of Mountains to listen for me in the mirrors.” I can’t hide my desperation. “Please.”
“Taeyoung.” When the mirror shivers again, she speaks so fast that her words tumble over each other. “Sunny has a message for Captain Seo. Ask her to tell the King of Mountains to listen for Sunny in the mirrors.”
The King of Underworld moves his mouth, but no sound comes through. Then ripples spread across the surface of the mirror, severing the connection. The queen remains with her back turned toward me, her shoulders shaking gently. But with a sniff, she straightens to her full height and faces me.
“Is the King of Mountains your fated love?” she asks, a considering look in her gaze.
“I ... I don’t know ...” I trail off and stare at my toes. “But I want to find out. More than anything, I want to see him. I miss him so much.”
“Wouldn’t you rather return to the Kingdom of Mountains with my troops?” She cocks her head to the side.
“I can’t.” Stupid tears fill my eyes, and I raise my left palm. “I was foolish enough to make a blood oath never to return to the Kingdom of Mountains. Not my finest moment.”
The queen’s eyes widen, but she leaves it at that. “You are welcome to use my mirror, but ... the magic will not be restored until the next moonrise.”
She and I both know the mirror and the rest of the Kingdom of Water might be gone by then.No.I won’t let that happen. Not until I talk to Ethan. Even if it is to tell him that I love him for the last time.
“I will hold off the Amheuk with my bare hands if I have to.” My nails dig into the soft flesh of my palms.
Wait for me, Ethan.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Ethan
As soon as night falls, Jihun and I moon shift the Queen of Sky to the Shinsi Palace. We sent word to Captain Ha ahead of time so he could set out a bowl of water in front of thejimilfor the shift. When we step into the inner courtyard, the captain receives us with the royal physician and theuinyeosat his side.
