Corrupted: An Epic Dragons and Immortals Romantic Fantasy (Fallen Emrys Chronicles Book 1) by E.E. Everly (motivational books for men txt) 📕

Sieffre’s eyes brightened. The blue in them shone clear as he stepped past his son and lifted my hand to his mouth to kiss it. “You, my lady, are most welcome. I have no doubt you are the one we seek.”

His hope was radiant.

“Take me to her,” I said, unperturbed by his attack. I supposed at this moment, I realized I didn’t fear this breed of mortal. I was more powerful than all of them.

A sweaty, red-faced boy, no more than five years old, ran into the throne room. “Kenrik!”

The child ran to Kenrik, and he scooped the boy up.

“My nephew, Prince Brenin,” Sieffre said as he ruffled the boy’s brown curls.

Out of breath, a young woman with thick, wavy hair ran into the room. “I’m sorry to interrupt, Your Majesty, but I can’t keep Brenin away from Kenrik. He misses him dearly. I fear our visit won’t be enough to satisfy his longing.”

Sieffre laughed. “Fine, let him come. My spirits are high. Lady Niawen, may I present my sister-in-law, Queen Tiwlip.”

“Pleasure to meet you.” I inclined my head. “I don’t mean to skip pleasantries, but Sorfrona’s predicament calls to me. I cannot bear the thought of her suffering any longer.”

THIRTEEN

Through the dimly lit chamber, I made out an emaciated figure swathed in blankets on the bed. Her forearms were exposed, and black, slug-like creatures clung to them.

“What’s on her?” I rushed forward to inspect the foul creatures.

A gray-bearded man standing beside the bed spoke. “Leeches, to clean the blood.”

I scowled. Eccentric fool! “Take them off her now! Sorfrona’s already frail enough. I can’t make blood, you imbecile. It’ll take weeks to regain her full strength at the rate you’re healing her.”

Sieffre pushed his way to his beloved and squeezed her hand after perching on the bed. “Do as she says. Lady Niawen has charge.”

The physician’s lip quivered. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

As the physician plucked the offensive things off, I spoke. “Clear the room. Only the king and his son may stay.” I glanced at Owein, who hovered at my elbow. “And my friend.”

The king nodded. The physician ducked out, as well as a few maids.

“I’ll do a preliminary examination. Do you allow me to lay hands on your wife and proceed with healing as I see fit? I’m asking if you trust me.”

Kenrik interjected. “I trust you. Father, you trust her, right?”

“After assessing her skill in the throne room and hearing your testimony, I believe she’s the only one to save Sorfrona,” Sieffre said.

“Good. I don’t like skepticism. It dampens the spirit and makes my job harder.” I climbed onto the bed and knelt beside Sorfrona. Her wheezing breath ached my heart.

I cradled her face between my hands and touched my forehead to hers. The room became so quiet I swore Sorfrona stopped breathing. Seren, lend me your strength. This will be demanding, to say the least.

I’m here for you. Deian will guide your light, Seren whispered.

Sorfrona, show me your pain. With that request, my light reached from my heart-center, up through my mind, and slipped into Sorfrona.

What I saw would haunt me forever.

Emrys didn’t really fall ill. We had momentary headaches that were gone in a flash. Small twinges that healed instantly. The worst thing that might happen to us was falling off a dragon. My mother once twisted her ankle, and my father healed her. The light inside us continually quickened our physical frames and buoyed our spirits so the two were whole.

Well, almost. In the case of my fractured heart, my spirit required a bit more healing. Usually time was enough to restore my immortal body and heal my emotional turmoil.

But this—Sorfrona. Oh, Deian. How could this have happened? How could a person endure so much? I didn’t know how she was still alive.

I knew what the normal mortal components making up the humans looked like because I had healed Alphis. They looked the same as my immortal ones. Most were smooth, able to flow, such as blood. Others were a more rigid shape, such as bones, or elongated like muscle fibers. Healing injury was straightforward. Healing disease was intimidating.

Everywhere my light flowed, every turn inside Sorfrona’s body, revealed misshapen, lumpy, mutated splotches. A cluster in her lungs, spots throughout her liver. Her stomach had a huge nodule, which had nearly eaten through the organ. And last but not least, her brain. Three clusters at the base of her skull. The splotches pinched and crowded healthy tissue. They blackened pure life.

I gasped. My stomach knotted.

I pulled away, my shaking limbs revealing my alarm.

Oh, Seren, how will I manage? I need Catrin’s skill.

Move slowly and with purpose. One step at a time.

I’m the most impatient person ever! I’ll rush. I’ll falter. Tears brimmed under my eyelids.

Owein wrapped his arms around my waist and pressed his head into my back. “You can do this.”

How did he possess such faith in me? He hardly knew me, but from what he saw during our week together, his faith was sure in my abilities. I drank up his belief in me, welcoming his embrace as I crushed his arms against myself. “Hold on to me. I need your faith to flow directly through me. This will be taxing.”

Sieffre rested his hand on my shoulder, and Kenrik’s steady hand circled my wrist.

“We’ll do this together,” Sieffre said.

And I felt their emotions then—Sieffre’s love for his wife. Kenrik’s trust in me and his hope for a miracle.

“Thank you,” I said. “The healing will take a while. Her body is severely compromised. I might be healing for hours. I’ll most definitely pass out. You don’t have to worry. I’ll recover. Just allow me to sleep my exhaustion off. Hold on. Don’t