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

I nodded. “My throat has been parched as well since I woke. It’s the surge of light. I was too zealous with your healing. You might be thirsty for a few days.”

“I’m a tad shaky, but don’t tell the king.”

I stood and glanced around. I spotted the carafe on a bureau. “Your secret’s safe with me, as long as you don’t tire yourself this evening. No dancing. I suspect it’s the lack of blood. Are you woozy when you stand?” I moved across the room.

“No.”

“Good. I wish my skills extended to creating blood, but emrys can’t do that.”

“You shall have to tell me what you can do after the banquet. I’m afraid I’ll be thoroughly engaged all night.”

“I shall, Your Majesty. I want to talk to you about something too.” I had a feeling asking the queen, in Seren’s behalf, would be easier than asking the king. Even though I was sure his thanks equaled Sorfrona’s.

I filled her glass and was ready to turn around—

“Mother!” an unfamiliar man cried out.

Footsteps rushed into the room. Relief, to the point of tears, rushed in with the owner. I set the glass down and gripped the bureau with both hands because I was so overwhelmed. I choked back his awe.

The man was light. And happiness. He was a spring day waking after a dead winter. Seedlings pushing through cracked soil, fueled by long-awaited rain.

I didn’t turn around but listened as he blubbered over his mother. “Forgive me for failing. Forgive my absence. I never wanted to leave you as sick as you were, but I was determined. And to think, your salvation was here all along. How can this be? Look at you. Kenrik told me your recovery was a miracle. How?”

“Kelyn, my son,” Sorfrona cooed. “You are returned. I am well. Let us not talk of past sorrows. Tonight we shall rejoice. Celebrate the fall harvest—”

“And your life.”

“Yes.”

More weeping. Oh, Deian. I wanted to sneak out. I disliked intruding on such a private reunion between two mortals. Their feelings were so raw. So untamed. Savage in ferocity. I was going to break. No more coarse emotions. No more heart-stabbing pangs. Throw a few walls up, you… you humans!

I turned, wishing I were invisible. Kelyn’s dark tawny head nuzzled into Sorfrona’s neck as he hugged her. I prayed he wouldn’t notice as I moved to the door.

He sniffed and lifted his head. “I don’t want to ruin your gown—”

Prince Kelyn saw me and shot to his feet. He brushed his hands over his tailored vest and cleared his throat, ignoring his red eyes and nose. “Forgive me. I thought we were alone. In my haste to see Mother…”

Not above her dignity, Sorfrona snickered. “Kelyn, this is Niawen.”

He blinked and ran his hand over his square jawline. I smiled at his full lips parted with musing. His eyes captured mine. Purely blue like a shimmering lake—aquamarine even. And bold, despite the redness in the white.

“You’re Niawen.” He croaked a little laugh before tripping around Sorfrona’s side table, unable to take his eyes from my face. “So it’s all true. Finding the sorceress in the scrolls was only a hope. A whim. I left to search for someone like you, not knowing if the journey was for naught.”

I suppressed a smile and shrugged. “I must be a dream.”

“Surely.” He regained his grace and swept over to me, still only a few steps from the bureau.

“What did my brother call you? An em—”

“Emrys.”

He brought my hand to his lips and kissed it, not taking his eyes from my face. “You are indescribable.”

I froze inside. Oh no. These mortals with their fascination over me. Were we immortals that captivating? My skin was lustrous and smooth, and my features were flawless with an ideal symmetry, but the gaping mouths of admirers and their eyes bulging with envy were too much.

At least kissing my hand had caused the prince to shut his mouth.

SIXTEEN

I found myself sandwiched between Owein and Kelyn at the great long table. With the feast in full swing, patrons talked above the raucous din, attempting to hold impossible conversations. Music added to the chaos, but not one person minded, least of all the crown prince.

Though I had been the means of securing the queen’s health, Owein was honored along with me, as my accomplice, as if we’d committed a righteous crime. So we sat at the head of the room. Kelyn monopolized the conversation, but while he drew from his goblet, I leaned over to Owein. “You might be the only person who’s not having fun. What bothers you?”

“Drat, how do you do that?” he asked.

I laughed. “Do what?” I knew exactly what Owein meant. Maybe I should have clued him in to my ability to read emotions. He already knew many other things, but for some reason I couldn’t tell him. I wanted to keep this secret to myself.

“You always know how I feel.”

“It’s your expression.”

“But I’m smiling,” he said.

I burst out laughing. “If you call grimacing with an untold emotional pain smiling.”

“I thought if I flashed these chompers, I wouldn’t give anything away.”

“Give what away?”

The prince chose that instant to stand and extend a hand. “May I have this dance, my lady?”

“Oh.” I glanced from the prince to Owein. “I don’t know.” I didn’t want to abandon him.

“Lady Niawen, I insist.” Prince Kelyn’s cheeks rounded up to his eyes, and I groaned.

“All right. One dance.”

“We shall see about that.” He winked at Owein.

Before the prince tugged me away, I whispered to Owein. “That pretty lass, at the table to your right, has been ogling you all evening. Dance with her, please.”

Owein’s face