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

timing and skill to pull it off. One of us had created an opening, while at the same time, offered one. Only someone of exceptional skill could do it. Even the masters would be hard-pressed for such a feat. But which one of us? The wrong choice would eliminate a genius.

And that they dared not do.

Jiaying realized this too, and a slow smile crept onto her face. We both began to hope.

The masters broke apart. “Draw!” announced the referee. “Both return to your places.”

We bowed and passed off our blades to our seconds, before kneeling in our previous spots. We each wore the only red sleeves of those remaining. It was amazing how similar the wounds were. Like they mirrored each other.

I cut my eyes in her direction. She was having trouble concealing her relief, as I too was having difficulty hiding mine. A coincidence had saved us both. Or so it seemed.

But even at my young age, I already knew...

Coincidences didn’t exist.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Cabrina’s

Gift

I awoke to a warm weight on my chest and the sound of someone banging a metal pail. I could tell the pail’s operator was trying to be quiet, but it just wasn’t working. As for the weight on my chest, Fumiko lay partially across me. She must have also passed out after sharing her memory. She lay atop me, dead asleep, her head resting on my chest and her arm thrown across me. I watched her face for a moment as she slumbered—a rare unguarded moment for someone so reserved. Her mouth hung partially open, and her mussed hair spread across her cheek and across her eyes. I ached to brush it back, but I dared not, lest I wake her. Not for the first time, I noticed her smooth skin and delicate lips—she was every bit the beauty. I understood why Rourke was so enamored with her. It would be quite easy to fall under her spell.

Too easy. I thought of Zofie and looked away.

The memories of her fight hung in my mind. It was as fresh as if it had happened yesterday. What had it been? She had referred to it as the sorting. But, exactly what was it? Why had the emperor ordered her to be part of it? And most importantly, why had they put her in that impossible position of choosing between her friend and her own life? So many questions. Now that she had shared her memory, maybe she would be willing to talk about it.

The pail rattled again, and Fumiko’s breathing changed. Her eyes slowly blinked open and flicked around the barn’s interior before finally settling on me. And then she smiled. It was like the sun had suddenly risen. But she seemed to catch herself and bolted upright. “Sorry,” she mumbled and immediately stood. Without looking up, she grabbed her cloak and was out the door.

I sighed. I must have embarrassed her. I would have to apologize later.

I turned toward Zofie and found her sitting up, eyes staring straight ahead. Which meant she was ready to be taken to the privy. I immediately felt guilty. I had spent a couple of extra moments staring at Fumiko when I should have been helping my princess instead.

“Good. You’re finally awake. I can get some breakfast.”

I turned to see Spraggel standing with his backside to the stove. He was impatiently rocking back and forth on his heels. Behind him, on the other side of the stove, Cabrina sat on a pile of straw with her knees pulled up to her chest. She was intently watching the other occupant in the room—the serving boy from yesterday. He was the operator of the noisy pail and was using it to water the animals.

“Breakfast?” I asked, running a hand through my hair.

Spraggel nodded. “Yes, you know the meal you have after the sun comes up. The one I’ve been dying to have while you’ve been sleeping with your other woman.”

I looked up in surprise. “She’s not my woman.”

Spraggel frowned. “Judging from the way she was snuggled up to you, I’m not so sure.” There was a note of irritation in his voice. “I’m beginning to wonder if Cabrina might be right.”

I shook my head. It occurred to me that Spraggel didn’t know about the nightly memory transfers. And I couldn’t tell him either. I guess it must look a little suspicious. He’s seen us wake up in the same bed two nights in a row. “There is nothing between Fumiko and me. She is just... helping.”

Spraggel’s eyes went up. “I imagine she could be very helpful to a young man whose fiancée is incapacitated.” He stepped forward and placed a hand on my shoulder. His expression softened. “Be careful, Coren. Playing with the hearts of young ladies can be painful for everyone involved. Take it from me. I know.” He smiled. “It’s why I spent almost a year as a cat.”

I blinked at him. A year? He had mentioned something about pissing off the wrong myst user in his younger days. But a year?

I shook my head. “There’s nothing between us. Zofie is all I need.”

“I trust you, Coren. Just remember that Zofie does too.” He gave my shoulder a reassuring squeeze. He then clapped his hands and went to get his cloak. “Now, for some long-overdue breakfast.”

“You didn’t have to wait.”

He gave me a surprised look. “Oh yes, but I did. Someone had to keep an eye on Cabrina.”

I picked up my blanket and started folding it. “You could have taken her with you.”

He pointed a thumb over his shoulder at the girl. “I tried, but she was too intent on watching someone...” He rolled his eyes in the direction of the serving boy.

I glanced at Cabrina. She was watching the boy with