It is a vast darkness.
But when I peer closer, I see a concentration of it—from where the tentacles stem. That is where I need to attack. I reach for my Yeoiju, and it hums quietly at the center of my soul. I can’t count on nature’s life force in the Kingdom of Water, and the Yeoiju might siphon mygito fuel itself, but it’s a risk I have to take.
“Let’s do th—”
My words—my body—are swept away by a tidal wave. The force of the water flooding the dome twists me around in disorienting circles, and my back strains painfully as I fight against the current. But as suddenly as it sucked me in, the vortex spits me out into the dark water.
I calm my pounding heart and struggle to get my bearings. But once I do, I get the sinking feeling that I’m drowning.He-he.I choke on my morbid humor as I take in the carnage around me.
So many bodies . . .
They float in the water, their life forces sucked dry by the parasitic tentacles of the Amheuk. Then even the bodies disappear into the darkness. I should’ve done more. They’re dead because I couldn’t save them. My body sinks deeper as desolation drags me under.
The light shimmering from the open portal is gone. Even if I had the air and strength left to swim, I wouldn’t know the way out of here. I try to think—I shouldn’t give up—but shock and exhaustion shroud my mind like a dense fog.
Then something as thick as a tree trunk wraps around my waist, and I’m dragged through the water.Did the Amheuk find me again?Butit doesn’t feel like a tentacle, but a warm, strong arm. I blearily focus my gaze on the owner of said arm, and an enraged screech escapes from my mouth in a blast of bubbles.
What are you doing?I yell telepathically at Haesan.Why didn’t you go through the portal? I told you to leave when all hell breaks loose.
Of course, he doesn’t answer. The big oaf won’t even meet my eyes.No, no, no.His life is more valuable than mine. He is so kind and unpolluted. My scarred, battered soul is not worth his life.
I have one vial, the token to the Kingdom of Sky, around my neck. Haesan has to use it. I have to force him to use it. I clench my jaw to stay conscious. I tilt my head and see the portal ahead of us. With black edging into my vision, I tug the vial free from around my neck and tie it around Haesan’s arm, hoping he doesn’t notice.
I’m so sorry, Ethan.Grief wrings my heart until it burns.I can’t watch another friend die.
It’s okay. It’ll be okay. Ethan is my fated love. If I can’t be with him in this life, then I will be with him in the next.
I will always find you, Ethan.
When we reach the portal, I’ll rip myself away from Haesan and push him through. He’s strong, but I’m agumiho—I am stronger. I just ... have to stay ... conscious. My head lolls back and forth.
Gods damn it, Sunny. Hang on. A few more ... seconds.
But I’m fading away. I lose time, and we’re already at the portal. I try to pull Haesan’s arm away from my waist, but I’m too weak. I can’t ... Thein’eorips off the token I tied to his arm and meets my eyes at last.
No, Haesan. Please,I beg telepathically, my body too limp to move.Don’t do this.
“Bye, Sunny.” He smiles sweetly.
Then he throws the vial against the portal and propels me through with the power of the waves. I want to claw my way back out, but my body won’t ... listen.
Everything fades.
Chapter Thirty
Ethan
As far as I’m concerned, the Queen of Sky is done sleeping. I will make her wake up and end this fucking war, even if it kills me.
I stalk down the halls to where she rests, clenching and unclenching my hands. I feel strength returning to my body as the Mountains restore my gi. Or it might be adrenaline raging through my veins at how the Amheuk dared to touch Sunny.
Whatever the case, I am waking up the queen, ending this war, and going to the Kingdom of Sky. The blood-soaked screams of the Shinbiin soldiers ring in my ears. I will stop the senseless massacre, then I will hold Sunny in my arms again. Nothing will stand in my way.
When he sees me marching down the hallway, Captain Ha comes to attention in front of my study, where they settled the Queen of Sky. “Your Majesty, the queen is not—”
“Are theuinyeosfinished with the acupuncture?” I ask, my voice sharp with impatience.
As soon as the last word leaves my mouth, the study door slides open from the inside. Anuinyeojumps, her hand flying to her mouth.
