Nine Tailed (Realm of Four Kingdoms, #1)

by Jayci Lee

Never expose the world of gods. Protect the magic. Keep the Amheuk, an ancient force of darkness, at bay.

As long as your gi originates from the sources created by the Cheon’gwang—Mountains, Sky, Water, or Underworld—you can join the Suhoshin’s ranks, if you’re powerful and talented enough.

“I could’ve been anything I wanted, so I became the only thing I wanted to be.”

The good thing about being a nomadic loner who gives zero fucks is that I can do whatever the hell I want, when I want. No excuses necessary.

And I thought he was going to tell me who did this to him, but all he said was to break the stone and something about tears. Break the stone of tears, maybe? Those were his last words. Just gibberish.”

“Other than a small laceration on his earlobe as thin as a paper cut, he looked completely healthy and uninjured. I even had an autopsy done, and they found no sign of a heart attack or a stroke. No traces of poison or asphyxiation either. His body just shut down, like someone flipped a switch.”

“If that person looks into the heavens, they will learn the secrets of the Shingae. If they look toward the Earth, they will understand the ways of the humans.”

reveal myself to the Shingae. The world of gods lies like gossamer over the human world—a shimmer in the corner of their eyes. The humans’ stories of gods and beasts weren’t born of wild imagination but woven together from the sudden goose bumps on their arms and the cold shivers down their spines. Human minds can’t grasp the truth, but they also can’t completely ignore the allure of the supernatural—the magic.

Fox spirits were once revered as deities in Korea, but that’s ancient history. Nowadays, most Koreans believe in the myth that gumihos are treacherous demons who turn into beautiful women to manipulate and control men to do their bidding.

The gi stemming from the four life sources each exude a different light—silver for Sky, green for Mountains, blue for Water, and red for Underworld.

Moon shifting is a form of high magic used to travel from one location to another by moving through the abyss. It’s meant to happen in an instant, but I’m not too clear on the details since I’ve never tried it before.

“But you do have a morbid sense of humor, sunshine.” “Call me sunshine one more time, and see how morbid my sense of humor gets.”

Ethan offers me the last gimbap, and I get a little choked up. Nothing says I care better than giving up the last serving of food. I would’ve fought him for it. I try to savor the last piece, chewing slowly.

“The tale goes that the Spirit of Mountains gave the woodsman both the golden axe and the silver axe to reward him for his honesty.” That isn’t the real ending to the story. At least, not the way my halmeoni told it. What was it? I chase the faint memory, but it floats away—again and again—just out of reach. It doesn’t matter. It’s just an old story.

Ethan wisely keeps his mouth shut, but I want to kiss that cocky smirk off his face. No, not kiss. I meant punch. Like really, really hard. With my fist. Fuck.

The couple took to calling me Sunny after that, and I guess the name stuck. It wasn’t until years later that diners began serving “sunny-side up” eggs. Since I came first, the eggs were technically named after me.

“I’ll always choose to be with you, Sunny.” He reaches across the small gap between us and links his pinky with mine. Like a promise. “There is no other choice for me.”

“I want to make you happy again.” He cups my cheek and turns me to face him, shifting to his side. “And I won’t let you run away this time. I’m going to keep you happy.”

“Welcome to the Kingdom of Sky.” Jihun bows his head with solemn formality.

“It is one of four kingdoms in this realm,” he explains.

I continue flipping through my folder, then stack it neatly on top of my other files rather than locking it away in my drawer. He will find her. She will help him. My friend . . . my love . . . the beautiful, broken female, who is good and kind to her core.

“Even if the Yeoiju could be used to defeat Daeseong, no one knows where it—” “Who it is,” the historian corrects. “The Yeoiju is a person?” I breathe. “Not exactly, but . . .” She stares at me until I squirm.

“Who are you?” “I’m yours.” He closes the space between us and takes my hands in his. “I am yours, Sunny Cho, body and soul. No matter what happens, please remember that.”

“What in the ever-loving hell are you talking about? Just tell me who you are.” A single tear trails down his cheek. “I’m the one who is destined to kill you.”

“The Cheonji Monster is real,” I say in awe. “Bruh. Did you just call me a monster?” a deep, petulant voice grumbles in my head. Right, telepathy. “Not cool.” “Did you just call me bruh?”

And what is love? Love is hope. What is hope? Hope is life. What is life? Life is light.

“Flying is safer than driving, you know. My dad and I used to take commercial flights all the time,” the dragon says.

gorgeous teenager with hair the same cerulean as the dragon’s scales, probably Draco in their human form, gives me a sullen nod. Yup, that’s them.

“Desperation makes fools of us all. And I’ve always been a fool for you, Sunny. I’ve loved you since I was sixteen.” Ethan’s lips quirk at my gasp. “After you left, I convinced myself that I’d outgrown my teenage infatuation. But that lie went out the door the moment you scowled at me from across this very table.”

I will battle fate itself before I hurt you,”

“I will end anyone who dares insult you,” he snarls, his eyes churning with silver-and-green fire.

“Love is fleeting, Ethan,” I lie woodenly. “I’ve lived a hundred thirty-two years. I would know.” “Let me love you for a thousand years and prove you wrong,”