Goryeo

Cheondeokjeon Palace

"How could you let her die like that?" Gwangjong heard his own voice echo in his head as he leaned against her bed, his tired eyes resting on her urn. A year had passed since her death, yet he could still feel her next to him at times. The pain of missing her worse than any wound he had ever received from wolf or sword.

He closed his eyes as something important tugged at him, urging him with a memory of a book wrapped in blue silk with her unusual script written inside it. The book he hid from prying eyes, relieved he didn't destroy it. He got to his feet, walked to the urn, and kissed it as he left her room.

Determined, he entered his quarters, heading for a chest near his bed. Kneeling, he unlocked the chest and pulled the book out. "What is so important about this book? I can't even read the script, yet I need to know."

"Yes, you can." A whisper replied in the back of his mind. "Open the book. We need to know."

Tentatively, Gwangjong opened the book, frowning down at words that were at once foreign but were now all so familiar. He sank down at his desk as he read Go Ha Jin's diary to the last page. With dawn approaching, he shut his tired eyes, a deep weariness settling into his body. "If only I could go back to that day and make it right. I would take this burden from her heart. I could save her."

Sleep overtook him as his troubled mind drifted into the void. Meeting in the middle. "We would move the heavens for her, re-order space and time, and change history to save her." Said the man standing before him. His hair was cut short with bangs brushed to the side, revealing the same scar marring his left eye. So frowned at this alien version of himself.

"We need to save her, Pyeha." This strange So said as he knelt before him. "She didn't have the heart to tell us that she conceived that night in Seokyeong nor that she was dying. She was given no choice and had to leave us and the palace to survive."

So stood up, pacing the room. "However, we did it. We became like Ji Mong and found her again. But we will lose her if we do not bring the pieces of her spirit back together. She is lost and slowly forgetting." He explained, a terrible sadness weighing on him. "She cursed herself before she died. She wanted to forget the pain of loving us."

Gwangjong quickly got to his feet and grabbed So by the neck. A distant memory of watching Jung lift Soo up in his arms while he fussed over her returned as So pulled his hands from him.

"The child." Gwangjong said in a hoarse voice as his staggered back. "I never thought. She was Jung's wife."

"You know now." So stated bitterly, turning his head away as his mind floated into the past. "I did not know until a child bumped into me near Soo's prayer tower six years after her death. Soo's spirit shone in her eyes. Jung told me about Soo's request to not raise her within the palace. I couldn't break his promise to her since he cared for her when I foolishly abandoned her. Jung deserved to raise her."

"Go Ha Jin?" Gwangjong picked up the fallen book. "Hae Soo?"

"The same woman." So nodded in confirmation.

"How did she?" Confusion filling him even with the evidence staring him in the face. "Why?"

"Ji Mong needed a kingmaker and Jin is a descendent of Hae Soo." A sardonic smirk twisted So's lips as he thought of Ji Mong's far reaching manipulations of his life. "He used her as the bait which forced us to fight for the throne."

"Hae Soo." Rage filled Gwanjong as he flung the book across the room. "It's too late. It's all too late to save her."

"No, it isn't too late." So growled back, as he closed in on the king. "I will not allow it to be too late. I did not cross heaven and hell for it to be too late. Trust that we can go back. Make it right. Save our Soo-ya. Keep this burden from her shoulders. We have the knowledge of what we did wrong. We can stop him from making the same mistakes."

Peering deep into the eyes of the king, So whispered, "Sleep, Pyeha, trust me."

Seokyeong

So sat peacefully next to Soo, listening to her as she pointed out the constellation Pegasus. They laughed as he attempted to pronounce the name of the constellation, just happy to be together even for a short while. Soon it would end and she had to return to the palace before an alarm was sounded to tell Jeongjong she has left the Damiwon. Baek Ah had helped her escape the palace to come to him, he would help her return before dawn.

Jun So subtly crept into the back of the prince's mind as he held her hand in his. "Ji Mong will appear before long with the news that Jeongjong is weakening. Your brother will die tomorrow. You must not leave Soo alone with him. You must get to Jeongjong before he dies to secure his decree."

So frowned as this other consciousness filled him. A feeling of recognition and wonder poured over him. How is this possible? She was here with him. Cheerfully grinning down at Soo as she peered up at him, he leaned forward and kissed her soft lips just as Ji Mong appeared, surprised to see them together. So let go of Soo's hand and patted it as he greeted the man.

So led them inside his living quarters and sat next to Soo as Ji Mong gave him information on Jeongjong's health. "The king is very ill." The astronomer continued on in a mocking tone, "Envoys from East Jurchen were bringing tributes; so, I arranged a day of dry thunder to frighten the king, I had no idea the envoy would be struck by lightning and die right in front of him. The royal physician said that he was startled so much he became weak."

So sat at attention, listening to Ji Mong urge him to move forward with his plans. "The time has come. Princes Wang Wook and Wang Jung have left the palace. Grand General Park and the Shinju Kang clan are on standby, controlling all the royal army and the majority of the clans." Ji Mong stood up. "You should make the decision."

So placed his hand over Soo's, "Remain here." he commanded gently as he followed Ji Mong outside. "There is no decision to make." He informed Ji Mong. "Tomorrow you will inform the guards to open the gates upon the king's command."

"What are you planning?" Ji Mong inquired, intrigued.

"My brother will want to see me before he dies." So gave a slight smile. "Remember the gates must be opened just before he calls for Lady Hae to come to him."

Ji Mong narrowed his eyes suspiciously but nodded at the command in So's voice. "Do you want me to return with Lady Hae Soo?"

"No." So firmly answered. "I have made plans with Baek Ah to safely return her."

"Wangja-nim." Ji Mong bowed, then left to return to Songak.

So felt her presence behind him. "Do you want the throne?" Soo asked softly. He turned around to see her troubled expression. Fear and disappointment seemed to pour from the depth of her dark eyes. "I did want the throne. It was one of the reasons why I left you. I wanted to put an end to the bloodshed between us brothers. I thought it would give me the freedom to never be treated as someone's dog, but I know that the throne will only tighten the leash around my neck." A bitter laugh spilled from him as he clasped her hands in his. "It will place us both in greater danger, but I have no choice. I was born under the star of a king."

Sadly, she whispered, "I wish..."

Pulling her close, he nuzzled the top of her head, "I know." He pulled back, gazing down into her eyes. "I never stopped loving you. Will you follow me?"

Soo wrapped her arms around him, holding him tight, afraid to let go. "Yes."

"Baek Ah will be here before too long." He brushed another kiss across her lips. "It will be over soon, Soo-ya. I promise." So said as Soo closed her eyes against the threat of tears. Lifting her face up to his, he coaxed with a smile. "None of that, Hae Soo. There are still a lot of stars you have to tell me about tonight."

Taking her hand in his, So led her to the porch, lifting her up to sit on the edge while he jumped up to sit next to her. He slid his arms around her, kissing her temple. "Trust me, Soo-ya. I won't let anything bad happen to you."

"I trust you, Wangja-nim." Soo sighed as she leaned her head against his shoulder. "If only we could stay here forever. Just us and the stars."

"I promise, Hae Soo." He whispered in her ear. "We will. Us, the stars, and our children."

"Children?" Soo giggled the stars forgotten, pulling back she peered up at his beautiful face. Her eyes drifted down to the fullness of his lips, knowing their flavor and the feel of them on her skin. Her thoughts turning to the night before in So's arms. She felt the memory of his body buried within her and blushed as heat pooled between her legs.

"Don't look at me like that, Soo-ya." So warned, desire flashing in his eyes. "We don't have time for that." The sound of Baek Ah's horse in the distance helped to calm him despite the discomfort.

"Hyungja-nim. Hae Soo." Baek Ah greeted them as he halted the horse near where they sat.

"Baek Ah." So hopped down from the porch, then lifted Soo down. "Make sure she arrives safe." So instructed as he lifted Soo up to his brother, "Pyeha must not know she's been away."

"Don't worry." Baek Ah said as he helped Soo arrange her chima. "Woo Hee is waiting for her just inside the Gyobang gate. She will see her back to the Damiwon without anyone noticing."

Soo looked down at So, "Please be safe." Not wanting to let go of him. So patted her hand with a confident smile. "I promise I will be safe." He turned to Baek Ah and handed him a slip of paper. "Send this message to Wang Jung on your way to the palace. He must arrive just after we've taken the palace."

"I will make sure it reaches him and I will return with Grand General Park." He told So then he galloped off.

Songak

Cheondeokjeon Palace

King's Quarters

Hae Soo trembled before Jeongjong as he ranted. She jumped as he threw his tea cup at her, the clay shattering at her feet. She held her breath as Queen Yoo rushed into the room in a panic.

"So is coming...So is coming to the palace!" In fear, she halted before her oldest son as Soo slowly backed into the wall, trying to get away from mother and son, not daring to take her eyes off the exchange. "Wang So is revolting against you!" Jeongjong got to his feet in shock, then sank back down onto the edge of the bed.

Queen Yoo rushed to the side board, grabbing paper and brush. "Yo, Yo..You need to write this down now." Bewildered, Jeongjong got up to follow her, panic lacing her words as she attempted to force the brush into his feeble hand. "Write down that you will be abdicating to Jung. Hurry now."

Confusion slid across Jeongjong's face, "What?"

"We cannot lose the throne." She cried out, then coldly commanded, "Hurry. Write down that Jung will be the new king, then we can plan for a future. Go on."

Jeongjongstared at this woman as though seeing her for the first time, "Then...what about me?" Realization sinking in as he gazed into her blank stare as Wang So and General Park entered the chamber, So motioning the guards to stand down. "Am I even your son? What am I to you, Mother? Just something that exists to sit on the throne."

So glanced at Soo to make sure she was not hurt, before returning his gaze to his brother and mother caught up in their struggle. Jeongjong shut his eyes as they rested upon his middle brother standing just inside the room, then he laughed bitterly as he fell to his knees before the wolf. "Now, I think I can relate to So. I know how he feels."

"Pyeha! Mother!" Jung strode in with sword at ready to defend them against So.

"I told you that I would abdicate to So, Mother." Jeongjong leveled his gaze at Jung, then smiled cruelly at her. "In the temple, I told you I would make So my Crown Prince."

"What are you saying? Do not do this!" Queen Yoo furiously screamed at Jeongjong as he collapsed further to the floor.

"Pyeha!" So called out as he rushed to his older brother's side, holding his slumped body in his arms as he ignored his mother's cries to get away from her son. She rushed at So in rage. "My blade should have found its mark that night. Instead of your face, I should have cut out your heart. Why did you have to live?"

"Take the queen back to her chambers." So ordered the guards. The older woman clutched at her youngest son, pleading with him as they seized her. "Jung, you must kill him. You will do that for me." Pity filled his face as he shook his head, his sword dropped to his side. "I can't do that, mother."

Soo's knees buckled under her as the room began to spin, she closed her eyes against the overwhelming sense of fear and relief. Queen Yoo's fearful howls echoed down the hall. From a distance, she heard Jung's hoarse voice after Jeongjong's ragged breathing ceased. "Greetings to the new king. Mansa, mansa, man mansa." Then the room rang out with the command to greet their new king.

So gently closed Jeongjong's eyes and laid his body on the floor. He rushed to Soo, lifting her unconscious body high into his arms as Ji Mong and General Park called for the guards to fall to their knees before him, acknowledging him as king. His barely paid attention, brow furrowed in concern for her. The stress was not good for her heart. There were too many details he would need to address therefore he could not leave to take her to the Damiwon so she wouldn't wake up to this hell. Jeongjong's body was still warm at his feet. She had been witness to too much death. His eyes went to Jung as he strode purposely toward his younger brother. If nothing else he could trust about Jung, it was that he cared about Soo as well.

"Please rise." So looked down at his kneeling brother. Jung stubbornly stared straight ahead as he remained on his knees. "Rise." So ordered. "I need you to take her back to the Damiwon so she doesn't open her eyes in this room."

Jung blinked up at So, then got to his feet. So kissed Soo's forehead, gently giving her over to Jung. He watched his brother take his lover out of the room, the doors closing after them, then he turned to face his destiny. His eyes met Ji Mong's, challenging the older man. Nothing in this world or the next will make me give her up, he thought.