“Is she okay?” I squeeze Jihun’s arm in silent greeting, even though I want to give him a rib-cracking hug. I scan him from head to toe to make sure he’s unhurt, then sag in relief.
“She was injured during battle, but she will be fine once she gets some rest.” His eyes roam my face, like he’s imprinting it into his memory.
Oh, Jihun.My heart cracks, dreading the moment I have to hurt him. But Ethanheardmy voice. He answered me through the mirror of water. I don’t know why I’d been afraid to accept the truth till now. Ethan is my love destined by the heavens. We are bound by the threads of fate. It willalwaysbe him.
I drop my hand from Jihun’s arm.
“Sheis already fine.” Captain Seo squirms to be put down, but Jihun doesn’t budge.
“Sorry for talking about you like you aren’t here, Cheyun.” I smile sheepishly at her. “But I’m glad you’ll be okay.”
“It’s good to see you, Sunny.” She grins back. “Good job getting the Queen of Water to send her troops.”
“Thank you for leading the Kingdom of Underworld’s troops to Shinsi,” I counter to deflect her praise. Then it suddenly hits me—really hits me—that Jihun and Cheyun are here, standing in front of me. “D-did we win? I-is Ethan ... safe?”
“Yes, we defeated General Bak.” Jihun holds my gaze. “And the king is safe.”
“Oh thank gods.” I clap a hand over my mouth.I can’t fall apart. Not until Ethan is back at my side.I sniff loudly and clear my throat. Then I jerk my chin toward the unidentified seonnyeo who came through the portal first. “Who is that?”
“She is the Queen of Sky,” Jihun answers.
“The one who gave General Bak the green flag to attack the Kingdom of Mountains?” I spin around and bare my teeth at her. “Against her own nephew? What kind of fucked-up aunt does that?”
“That would be fucked up.” An amused half smile curves the female’s lips. “But I did no such thing.”
“No, she did not.” Jihun sighs, squeezing the bridge of his nose.What?Did I embarrass him or something? “To truncate, the generalpoisoned and kidnapped the queen so he could steal her army. But as soon as she regained consciousness, she ordered the soldiers to lay down their arms and stopped the bloodshed.”
“Oh.” I tuck my lips between my teeth as heat rushes to my cheeks. I should be thanking her, not snarling at her like an angrygumiho. “My apologies, Your Majesty. For the accusation ... and the cursing.”
“We will deal with such pleasantries—starting with a proper introduction—at a better time.” The queen seems to grow in stature as steel enters her eyes. “For now, we have a kingdom to evacuate. Where is Keeper Bae?”
“He’s preparing the token for the Kingdom of Mountains.” I point toward the keeper, where he stands yelling at the tree. His scowl is fainter, and his lips move slower. “But he is exhausted from enchanting the entire pond for the Kingdom of Water.”
“Put me down, Jihun. I’m serious. I hurt my wing, not my legs.” Cheyun pushes against the stubborn male’s chest. “Keeper Choe can help. I threw him in jail at the Suhoshin headquarters. I can bring him here.”
My fists tremble at my sides, my nails digging into the flesh of my palms. My sweet roommate, Hana, gave her life to protect her twin, Duna, who framed her for her own crimes. And Keeper Choe helped the murderous spy escape. He was deceived like everyone else, but I still don’t like the arrogant prick.
“I ... You’re right.” Jihun sets the captain down with a hand hovering behind her back. When she stays steady on her feet, he reluctantly steps away. “And I must go back to the Kingdom of Mountains.”
“Are Hailey and Jaeseok okay?” I grab his forearm, not ready to let him go. When Jihun nods, I force myself to drop my hand. “Did they stay behind with Ethan to help everyone through the portal first?”
“Of course they did.” An affectionate smile curls one corner of his mouth before disappearing. “And I must return now. Ethan promised not to do anything reckless, but I need to make sure he keeps his promise.”
I nod, struggling to swallow. I hate how Ethan has to be noble and brave all the time. But that’s one of the many reasons why I love that stubborn ass.
“Please be—” I jump out of the way when a suhoshin flies through the green portal with anin’eoin his arms. Then another suhoshin follows, carrying adokkaebi.
Oh, it’s a buddy system.
“Come.” The Queen of Sky motions at the incoming suhoshins, taking charge of the situation. “This way. Quickly.”
“The keeper on the other side is injured and will not be able to keep the portal open for long,” Jihun says, looking at the people streaming into the Kingdom of Sky. “Keeper Bae and Keeper Choe must be ready to take over soon.”
“They’ll be ready,” I assure him, relieved that at least one keeper from the Kingdom of Mountains survived.
“I should be on my way. Be safe, Jihun.” Captain Seo opens her mouth as if to say something more, but she turns to me instead. “As for you, please remember to think before you act.”
“Don’t I always?” I give her a cheeky grin. “Fine.I will use my head if and when the situation calls for it.”
