“Your Majesty.” He executes a swift bow before reaching out to take the queen from Jihun’s arms. “Please allow me, Lord Adviser.”
“Thank you.” Jihun carefully transfers her into Captain Ha’s arms.
The captain carries the queen inside the opulenthanokwith hurried steps, and the royal physician and theuinyeosfollow closely behind him.
I run a weary hand across my eyes. I haven’t been back to thejimilsince I first infiltrated the Shinsi Palace to take down my father. It doesn’t exactly bring back pleasant memories. But I have to stop thinking of it ashisinner chambers.
“Let’s go inside.” Jihun claps me on the shoulder. “We might as well get some rest.”
Mychambers are pristine, with no signs of the damage we wreaked mere days ago. Magic makes quick work of both destruction and restoration in this realm. But even magic can’t restore a life lost.
I shake away the morose thought and make my way deeper into the room. I sink onto the seat cushion in front of the silk folding screen and groan, long and loud. Everything hurts, but it also feels so fucking good to sit.
Jihun remains by the doors. “I will stand guard outside, Your Majesty.”
“Like hell you will.” I tilt my head left and right, stretching out my stiff neck. When the stubborn ass hesitates, I add, “Don’t make your king waste his energy arguing with you.”
With a quirk of his lips, Jihun comes and sits down on the cushion across from me, and he groans, half in pain and half in relief.
“Right?” I chuckle.
A comfortable silence settles between us as we enjoy the luxury of ... sitting.
“Your Majesty,” a court lady says from the other side of the hanji-pasted doors. “Captain Ha wishes to speak with you.”
“Send him in,” I answer, exchanging a glance with Jihun.
The captain of the royal guards enters the chambers and stands with his hands clasped in front of himself. I motion for him to have a seat on the last cushion, but he kneels on the hard floor across from me.
I hold back a sigh, but Jihun gives me the slightest shake of his head. Insisting the captain make himself comfortable will only make himmoreuncomfortable.
“How does the Queen of Sky fare?” I inquire instead.
“Even after initial treatment, the queen remains unconscious.” Captain Ha drops his head.
“Will she be ... Will she live?” Jihun’s voice is rough with concern.
“The royal physician believes she will, Lord Adviser.” The captain nods. “Her pulse andgiare stable, and theuinyeosare at her side to tend to her. For now, they said she needs time and rest.”
Impatience vibrates in my chest. The sooner she regains consciousness, the sooner we can end this war.Ifthat’s what she wants. So far, all Jihun and I have is hope and conjectures.
“We should head back to our battalion.” I push to my feet, and Jihun and the captain also stand. I’ll lose my mind if I sit around for another second.
“You need more—” The commotion outside drowns out the rest of Jihun’s sentence.
“There is no time to announce us,” Hailey growls.
“Sorry, ladies. If you’ll excuse us,” Jaeseok says in a more cordial tone, then slides the doors open before the court ladies can object again. “We really are in a hurry.”
Hailey makes a beeline toward us, leaving Jaeseok to catch up. “Jihun, we have to get the king to safety.”
“What’s happening?” I ask, my gaze jumping between Hailey and Jaeseok.
“The Kingdom of Sky is laying siege to Shinsi,” he answers. “The battle battalion approaching from the east is almost at the walls. And the enemy’s main forces have cut across the northeast quadrant and are rapidly razing through the southwest quadrant. They will soon reach the capital.”
“Where is General Im?” Jihun says.
“He’s at the front lines, fortifying the city walls.” Jaeseok runs a weary hand down his face. “But no amount of magic can hold off an army that size for long.”
