Kira wiped at her tears. “I had to choose between having my tiger spirit again or having you,” she replied.
A broad smile covered his face and then he ran to her. They embraced as only two people nearly parted forever could embrace. They were both crying so hard that she couldn’t tell whose tears it was that covered her face. He kissed her with all the love in his heart and she returned it in full measure. This was right. He was the right choice.
“Hyun!” Jaeho’s disappointed voice reached them.
“Jaeho, I’ll see you again, little brother,” Jaewon said. “I promise.”
“And I will take good care of him,” she said.
“You mean I’ll take good care of you,” he retorted.
As they turned away from the bridge, Kira caught sight of a familiar face standing behind Jaeho and Lady Mina. It was her uncle Eojin, handsome again and smiling at her. She stopped in shock. Her uncle was finally free. She’d kept her promise. Kira bowed deeply. He inclined his head and raised one fist to his chest in gratitude. And then all three disappeared from her view.
Kira awoke with a start; she heard Seung blubbering with relief and happiness. He was raving about a miracle. She lifted her head and looked down at Jaewon’s smiling face.
“I had this amazing dream,” he said. “I dreamed that you chose me and said you loved me.”
She kissed him.
“I don’t approve of this behavior at all!” she heard Kwan griping from behind them. “I’m going to have to hurt that boy.”
“Don’t you dare,” Taejo replied. “I order you to leave them alone.”
Kira laughed softly against her beloved’s lips.
“I knew he was going to make a great king,” Jaewon whispered.
“Stop talking,” Kira commanded. And kissed him again.
Epilogue
The day of Taejo’s coronation was also his thirteenth birthday, the fifth month and twenty-ninth day of the solar calendar. They’d returned to Hansong, which had now been named the new capital of Coryo, the united Seven Kingdoms. There was much to rebuild.
Taejo offered Kira a position on the High Council, but she refused. Instead, she accepted a special title as King’s Adviser. The High Council was made up of General Rah, the former ambassador from Oakcho who had proven himself to be a great diplomat, a wise adviser, and a fine military leader; General Nam, the Guru minister of military affairs who was pivotal in the strategic planning of the various armies; and Lord Hwang, the Guru minister of foreign affairs who had helped Kira and Taejo escape from Hansong. The three men were raised to the highest position of nobility.
To Kira’s great delight, her oldest brother Kyoung was made Supreme Commander and minister of military affairs. He was the highest ranking general in all of the united kingdoms. And both Kwan and Major Pak were made commanding officers of their own armies. She knew her parents would have been so proud of their sons.
Brother Woojin would stay on as Taejo’s spiritual adviser. But when asked what positions Jaewon and Seung would like, everyone was surprised to hear their answer.
“Thank you kindly, Your Majesty. But Seung would like to go home to his family and eventually, I too will have a responsibility to lead my clan, when my father retires. Now that the peninsula is safe, they will return to Wagay Village in Kaya. In the meantime, I’d like to travel around some more, preferably revisit Modo and Jindo Islands,” Jaewon said, glancing slyly at Kira.
“I think I might have to go with you,” Kira replied. “There’s a little girl who is waiting for me to keep a promise.”
“You know, Admiral Yi told me that the miraculous bridge is set to appear again next month,” he said.
Kira smiled at him. “I hear it is a beautiful sight not to be missed.”
Taejo looked back and forth at the two of them with a puzzled expression.
“I don’t get it,” Taejo said. “Didn’t you both run across that once already and nearly get drowned? Why would you ever want to go back?”
Kira and Jaewon looked at each other and smiled.
The coronation was held on a beautiful summer day. Master Roshi of the Dragon Springs Temple arrived with several hundred of his brothers all clothed in bright orange and gray robes. In a private ceremony witnessed only by family, the High Council, and his close friends, Taejo was crowned King of Coryo by Master Roshi.
After the private ceremony, the new king was carried by an elaborate black-lacquered palanquin to the palace courtyard, where all the nobles and royals in their best hanboks were lined up to bear witness to the coronation proclamation. The three members of the High Council stood by the golden dragon throne. Kira and her brothers stood behind the throne while Brother Woojin, Seung, and Jaewon stood off to the side. Not far away, Nara had a place as an honored guest. She was dressed in a purple silk hanbok and adorned with so much jewelry that everyone wondered who the mysterious visiting princess could be. Jindo and Gom kept her close company, sitting at her feet and keeping the curious away.