“Are you sure?” he asked. “Because I feel a connection between us. And I know you feel it too. You are not unaffected by me.”
He closed the distance between them again. “You get nervous around me. I make you uncomfortable, and I know why. I can see it in your eyes, Kira. They betray you every time.” He lowered his head, capturing her lips with his, holding her firmly in his embrace. There was no mistaking his passion and the answering spark it lit within her. For a moment, she yielded to his kiss, forgetting everything, enjoying the emotions that were surging within her. But then she felt the outline of her little tiger figurine pressing between them, and her thoughts flew back to Jaewon.
She slipped her fingers between their lips and turned her face away. After a moment, he dropped his arms and stepped away.
“You do feel what’s between us,” he said. “Don’t lie to me . . .”
“We can’t have this discussion now,” she said.
“This is the perfect time! Before you are committed down this path any further.” He grasped her hands. “We could run away, just you and me.”
“And do what? If the Demon Lord wins, we have no world to run away to—don’t you understand? And what of the Dragon Fighters? You can’t desert them!”
“You’re right. I can’t desert my soldiers. And you are destined to be our great hero. I know this. As much as I want to keep you safe, I realize you have a part to play in this history that we are making. But let me fight by your side! Let the world know that you belong to me,” he said.
Kira shoved him hard.
“I don’t belong to anyone!” Kira fumed. “I’m not a possession. Please don’t treat me like one.”
“Then let me belong to you,” he pleaded. “I want to share my feelings for you with everyone. I want our betrothal to be announced from every temple in the Seven Kingdoms. I want the world to know that you and I are meant to be together.”
There was a long pause as Kira stared into his handsome face. She saw his sincerity and the truth of how much she meant to him.
“Shin Bo Hyun,” she said carefully. “I don’t know if that’s true.”
She heard his sharp intake of breath.
“It’s because of the village chief’s son, isn’t it,” Shin said with a harsh growl. “He’s unworthy of you! He’s nothing but a glorified peasant! And from what I understand he was a vagabond, exiled from his own village for murdering his young brother—”
“Stop it! That’s enough! You know nothing about him! Don’t you dare judge him!”
In the sudden quiet, Kira glared at Shin, whose anger was clear in his flared nostrils and narrowed eyes.
“Please, Kira, don’t mistake gratitude and friendship for something more,” he said.
“Why not? That’s all I feel toward you also,” she retorted.
Shin reared back. His face closed up, looking harsh and angry, yet Kira could see the hurt in his eyes.
“My apologies. I will leave you alone then,” he said with a bow.
“Shin Bo Hyun, I’m sorry if I hurt you,” she said. “I do care for you very much.”
Kira was suddenly mindful of these same words that she had said to Jaewon.
He put up a hand to stop her. “I understand,” he said, his eyes cold and distant, a bitter smile curling his lip. “I shouldn’t have expected anything more. Don’t worry, Kang Kira, I won’t bother you again.”
With a curt bow, he walked away, leaving Kira feeling guilty and upset.
Several hours later, Kira went looking for Shin, hoping to clear the air between them. She was surprised to hear that he had joined the first scouting party of the day and had not come back yet. Suddenly anxious, Kira began to worry. When several more hours passed without any hint of their return, Kira asked to go search for them.
“Absolutely not,” Kwan said. “I’ve already sent a few men after them. The last thing we need is you roaming around the countryside with the daimyo so near.”
She knew he was right, but her concern for Shin was growing. She sensed that he was in trouble and needed help. But she didn’t know what to do.
Late into the night, Kira had resorted to patrolling the perimeter of the city, hoping to see Shin’s return. She heard the commotion of a new party returning to base camp. Kira made her way to the western gate, when a familiar but ugly stench hit her. She recognized it immediately as the rotten stink of demon. A rush of gratitude surged through her when she realized that she had not lost her sense of smell. Relieved and yet troubled, she followed her nose and found the sole survivor of the earlier scouting group.
Kira didn’t want to believe her eyes. It was Shin Bo Hyun. A sob of grief wrenched out of her as she watched him being greeted by the Dragon Fighters, worried for their leader.
“Not Shin Bo Hyun,” she breathed. She took out her sword, tears beginning to fall. Slowly, she approached him.
As the Dragon Fighters led Shin back to their campsite, Kira blocked their path.