Assassin of Curses: (The Coren Hart Chronicles Book 3) by Jessie Eaker (best novels in english TXT) 📕

the entire palace. Maybe even the whole empire. I had a feeling things were about to get really crazy.

The empire had been protected by The Grand Tapestry for a thousand years. And in that time, had built up quite a few grudges in the surrounding kingdoms. But now with the shield gone, those grudges were likely going to come home. And the empire had no idea how to protect themselves.

Zofie must have been thinking likewise. She turned to Yonge. “We’ve done as you asked. Now let us go.”

Cabrina stepped forward. “I will free you,” Yonge said through her. “But there is someone who requested you stay until he retrieves the nexus. He’ll be here shortly.”

“Who?” Zofie asked.

Suddenly, a long-range portal appeared in the chamber. I would have thought that the palace would have been protected against such intrusions. But they likely lost that protection with the removal of the nexus.

As it slowly materialized, the guards moved toward it, forming a line and saluting.

Even though I had no way to protect her, I moved closer to Zofie, placing myself between her and the portal. Fumiko must have felt the same and moved to stand with me. Something bad was going to happen. I could feel it.

A cold breeze drifted out of the portal, and a moment later, a lone man stepped through. He was young, still in his teens, with dark red hair the same shade as Zofie’s.

My princess gasped, and I clenched my fists. I think Fumiko growled.

The young man—conniver, murderer, and destroyer of Brethnach’s defenses—came to stand before us.

“Hello, sister,” he said with a cruel smile on his face.

It was Wynn.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Unlocking

The Forbidden

Zofie’s brother, and murderer of their father, stood before us with his lips twisted into a half-smirk. Zofie was white with rage—her fists balled up tight. She visibly shook. A guard extended his sword in front of her to make sure she didn’t do anything rash.

Wynn briefly glanced our way but otherwise ignored us and went to Yonge. He bowed. “I have come as we agreed, your excellency. Is everything ready?”

Cabrina clapped her hands. “The Forever Nexus Shadow is ready for you, and the Griffin’s Key is right here.” She waved it back and forth for emphasis. “And the last component is on his way here.”

“Excellent!” said Wynn smiling. He rocked on his heels. “Let’s do this quickly, so I don’t hold you up. I believe you have an empire to save.”

Zofie couldn’t hold back her rage any longer. “You murderer!” she shouted.

He turned his smile in our direction. “Well, sister. I must say you’re looking well. Especially for someone who continually eludes death. You have to be the luckiest person on the planet.”

She spoke through clenched teeth. “I happen to have one excellent knight.”

“Evidently.” His lips pulled back into the perfect smile. But his eyes were dead cold. “But they do say that the third time’s the charm.”

Zofie wasn’t fazed. “Just what evil are you up to now?”

He chuckled. “You’ll see. After all, this is Advisor Yonge’s show.” He turned to me. “And hello to you, Sir Coren. Too bad you didn’t join me when you had the chance. That offer is long past now but just think. You could be on the winning side now.” He grinned.

I frowned, reminding myself that despite his youthful looks, he was evil.

“You’re the last person I wanted to see.”

Wynn’s eyebrows went up. “Charming as always. You never know, I might be able to arrange it so that I am the last person you see.”

He turned to Fumiko. “My dear, you no doubt remember me, but I don’t believe we’ve formally met. Last we spoke, an Avenyts in my service was perfecting you. A pity Coren destroyed her. She was one of my favorites. I thought she made you kind of cute.”

Fumiko’s eyes were on fire, but she said nothing.

Wynn looked up. “Where’s Master Spraggel? Coren never goes more than a few feet without him.”

Yonge himself chuckled. “The old man is trying to get in to see the emperor. He doesn’t realize that I’ve been controlling his excellency for years. Apparently, they worked together in their younger days.”

I shook my head in disbelief. Is there anyone Spraggel didn’t know?

Cabrina moved to Yonge’s chair and pushed him forward. “Our agreement, Lord Wynn,” he said. “I would have it now. Then you can do with the Forever Nexus Shadow as you see fit.”

With his back to Yonge, Wynn frowned at the interruption and rolled his eyes. Then immediately pasted on a huge grin and turned to his host. “Why of course, your excellency.” He moved to stand beside him.

Just then, a young man was escorted into the chamber. He wore loose-fitting pants and fine slippers, but no shirt. My eyes went large. He was a perfect specimen of manhood—tall, dark eyes, black hair, with arms and chest practically rippling with muscle. My tastes definitely ran toward the female gender, but I could see where this man might tempt some to change their preference.

Wynn smiled, his eyes going up in surprise. “I’m impressed Advisor Yonge. That is quite a nice body.”

“Isn’t it?” Cabrina smiled broadly. “I’ve been preparing for this for years. Carefully selecting candidates to pick just the right one.”

I heard a whisper beside me. “Hao?”

I turned to Fumiko. Her eyes were wide, an expression of utter shock on her face.

Cabrina nodded. “I see you recognize your fellow butterfly.”

“Why?” she whispered.

“Surely, you’ve not grown that stupid. This body of mine is dying, giving me no choice but to obtain a new one. So why not choose the best?”

Fumiko shook her head in denial. “It can’t be.”

Cabrina nodded emphatically. “I only wanted the best for my new body—a truly superb