The Voice: A Sequel to Hwarang: The Saga of the Sooks Book #1

Chapter 31: The Truth Comes Out

She stepped into his room, instantly facing him. He stood only about four feet from her. His eyes searched her countenance for a moment. Then he stepped closer to her. So that she could see his face. Particularly, the heat emanating from his gaze. Finally, less than a foot from her, he spoke. His voice a caress.

"The king needs you to warm his bed," Jin Heung muttered provocatively.

She stiffened, shocked at his bold words. She had not expected them.

"The king does not. It is the middle of the summer, your highness," she retorted hotly, as a flood of intense pink spread out across her cheeks before staining her entire face crimson. "Your bed is already warm enough."

He smiled at her. Provokingly. "That isn't the kind of warming I was referring to."

She cleared her throat and looked away.

"Am I making you uncomfortable?" he murmured.

"Intensely."

"Why? Is it because you don't wish to join me in that bed...or because you do?"

Her eyes crashed into his. The man was positively infuriating!

His attractive grin appeared, making his countenance even more endearing than it had been before. Suddenly, he dropped onto his knees before her. And reached for her hand.

"Marry me, Eun Sook. Make me the happiest king in the world."

She gasped. "Marry you?! But...how? You couldn't possibly marry me."

"I will choose my wife. Not the council. Not my peers. Not some system that should have died a violent death long ago. I want you. I choose you. I love you. Marry me, Eun Sook."

She blinked at him. And hesitated.

His heart sank. "What is it? I know you love me. Don't you?" his voice wavered.

She nodded. "Yes, but...there's something I've never told you." She winced. "I..."

He stood up to face her. "What is it? You can tell me anything."

"I..."

"I don't care that you're not a sacred bone. If that's what's bothering you. It doesn't matter. I love your heart. And your face. And your voice. Not your ancestry."

She stared up at him as a war erupted in her countenance. Finally, she sighed.

"Can I finish the story?"

He frowned. "What story?"

"The king's story."

"Ah." His face brightened. "Yes, I want to hear it all. But...will you tell me your secret when you are done?"

She nodded her head. "I will."

"Promise?"

She sighed, "Yes, I promise."

"In that case, my love, come sit on my bed with me." He reached out and took her hand, tugging her towards his bed. She was about to warm it with her words.

––

"The days passed, and the hwarang grew stronger, faster, wiser, and closer. Yong Joon was now surrounded by allies. Boys who were becoming his friends even. But the king could not forget a sparkling pair of emerald eyes. Or the way those eyes had supported him. He longed to see Su Bin again.

"Then one day, she arrived at the gates to the hwarang compound. She was admitted by a servant who led her to a certain courtyard where her brother was fencing with Yong Joon. The boy glanced up and saw her. His face lit up in surprised joy. But she'd distracted him, and Yong Joon suddenly hit him with the flat of his sword. The boy fell back, grabbing his side as he bent over.