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

“You’re not winning,” Kelyn whispered to Kenrik. No one could hear Kelyn’s words but me.

“Remember, I always win the joust. I beat you at swords and javelins.” Kenrik stretched his shoulder by pulling his arm across his chest. “This will be easy.”

“Don’t overestimate your skill.”

They crouched.

I clenched my fist by my side.

“Begin!”

Kelyn rushed his brother and slammed into him. Kenrik locked them together as his feet slid across the floor, but then he weaseled away.

After whirling around, Kelyn caught Kenrik’s incoming fist. Kenrik retaliated by swiping Kelyn’s leg out from under him.

He fell on his back but rolled to the side before he was pinned.

“It’s just like you to sweep in and knock your opponent off his feet,” Kelyn hissed.

“You have to pay attention to the subtle indicators of my next move.”

Kenrik meant this as a challenge. He plotted his next move with me daily. Kelyn was well aware of the traipsing about Kenrik and I did—because one of the maids had complained about busted pillows.

Kenrik slammed his shoulder into Kelyn’s chest. “You’re too busy planning your next attack to think about what your opponent’s doing. First rule, observe. Know your opponent before you strike.”

“You never give subtle indicators.” Kelyn tried wrapping his leg around Kenrik’s to throw off his balance. “You sweep in as if it’s life or death.”

“It often is.” Kenrik drove his fist into Kelyn’s stomach.

Kelyn panted as he staggered and hunched over his injury. He recovered and wiped the sweat from his eyes. “You’ve always had your eye on the bigger prize, anything to overturn my intentions.”

I frowned. I had pitted them against each other. I shouldn’t have devoted so much attention to both of them, but the mortal customs confused me. In Gorlassar, my attentions to more than one man wouldn’t be misconstrued because everyone already knew who held my heart. If I socialized with men, other than Aneirin, it was because we were friends.

Kenrik was my friend, but I shouldn’t have been so naïve. I knew he loved me, and ignoring his feelings wouldn’t make his affections go away. I couldn’t plead the ignorance I desperately wanted to. Kenrik attempted to steal me away from Kelyn at every turn, and I did nothing to hinder him.

Stupid distractions. While they helped me, they damaged Kenrik.

The escalating match was my fault.

“It’s not a prize I’m after, Kelyn.” Kenrik grunted. “I’m content with dusty coal if it warms my backside.”

I grimaced. Although I knew Kenrik’s statement referred to his prior dreams of finding a maid and secluding himself on a private estate, no one else understood the meaning. Everyone would think he was talking about Tiwlip.

“You snubbed your nose at dusty coal!” Kelyn shouted.

Way to confirm what the whole room was thinking! I wanted to slap my forehead. Kelyn wasn’t usually careless with his words. Beside me, Tiwlip sobbed before running from the room with her hands over her mouth.

Kenrik batted Kelyn on the side of his head, antagonizing him, clearly angry because of what he said. Each smack begged him to say more spiteful words. Kenrik paused before advancing and jabbing with his other hand. Sweat dripped freely from both men, and their eyes were steely. With his fists protecting his face, Kelyn jerked away from Kenrik’s childish swipes.

Annoyed with Kelyn’s evasive maneuver, Kenrik yelled, “You want what’s shiny and new only because you think you deserve her!”

Kelyn swung out and popped Kenrik in the nose. Blood spurted from his nostrils after a disconcerting crunch filled the room. Several ladies gasped.

I was horrified. Clearly I was the her Kenrik spoke of.

“Stop this at once!” Sorfrona cried. “Kelyn! Kenrik!”

They either didn’t hear her or chose not to. Kenrik wiped the blood from his face and charged Kelyn. They each locked an arm around the other’s neck and used their free fists to deliver blows. Kenrik pounded Kelyn’s upper back while Kelyn punched Kenrik in the gut.

I debated if I should use my power to stop them. How much of a chop would my interference be to their already dwindling egos? They should have known they were embarrassing each other and their family, but if I landed them on their backsides, I wasn’t sure either of them would thank me.

They broke apart before I decided. Kenrik turned away.

Kelyn thought he had withdrawn. “Accept your defeat with grace.”

Kenrik whipped around and grasped Kelyn’s arm. He twisted Kelyn to his knees and onto his stomach, wrenching his arm high behind his back. As Kenrik knelt on Kelyn’s lower back, a POP broke through the grunting and hissing.

Kelyn howled.

“ENOUGH!” King Sieffre entered the room in time to witness Kenrik dislocate Kelyn’s shoulder. The soldiers swarmed in and yanked Kenrik off his brother.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Chaos boiled through the room. Kenrik was yelling as the men held him off. “You don’t deserve her!”

Kelyn was writhing, spitting and cursing through the pain as his men lifted him to his feet. Sorfrona was crying on my left, and one of her lady’s maids was consoling her.

Sieffre was shouting orders. “Get them out of here! Clean this mess up! That blood better be gone before supper!” He charged out of the room after his eldest son.

I briefly considered whether any of the men in Gorlassar would stoop so low as to fight for me.

The display was not attractive.

Well, I had a shoulder and nose and several bruises to mend.

I didn’t know what to say to either of them.

One thing was certain; neither of them would receive a token from me.

THIRTY-ONE

I barged into the side room off the great hall and grabbed Kelyn’s arm. “You embarrassed Tiwlip!” I popped his shoulder back into place, eliciting another wail from Kelyn.