Assassin of Curses: (The Coren Hart Chronicles Book 3) Jessie Eaker (best reads txt) 📖

with the help of his guards, knelt beside her. He put his hands together and silently prayed for a few moments. Then he opened his eyes and looked down at her.

“I wish I had known her,” he said softly. “I only got to meet her once, but she was only a child then. That was just before I came under the control of Yonge.” His voice was deep and gravelly as one who had not spoken in a while. He looked up at us. “I am her father, Emperor Huang.” He leaned forward. “What was she like?”

Zofie smiled gently. “She was smart and witty, a little too uptight, but always a good friend. She wanted to put her old life behind her and do something for others. She had volunteered to teach at our new school.”

I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand. “She saved my life countless times. And she taught me how to fight.”

The emperor nodded. “As I expected from this child.” He brushed a strand of hair out of her face.

We all paused for a moment before he gave a large sigh and motioned to his guards. They helped him stand. Then taking off his outer robe, he laid it gently over her.

After regarding his child a moment longer, he turned toward us. “Please forgive me, but the empire calls. Many things have been neglected while I was under the control of that fiend.” He turned to leave, but paused.

“I would like to give Fumiko a hero’s funeral...”

“No!” Zofie cut him off.

The emperor looked shocked at the outburst.

She shut her eyes for a moment to focus herself, and then she spoke again, but with a softer tone. “I am sorry, Emperor. But I must decline in Fumiko’s stead. This isn’t her home any longer. I want to take her back with me. She would rest well with us.”

The emperor regarded her for several heartbeats before nodding. “You are correct, Princess Xernow. Please do as you wish. Ask the servants for anything, and it will be granted.”

Zofie nodded in thanks.

“Would you also let me know when the funeral will be held. If you are agreeable, I would like to attend.”

She gave a sad smile. “I think Fumiko would like that.”

He nodded once and then headed for the door. But just before leaving, he turned back. “Oh, and one more thing. Now is not the time, but later, I would like to discuss the affairs in your kingdom. I would like to consider you as a partner in the coming war.”

Zofie gave a slight bow. “I would love to, your highness.”

He nodded and then left.

Cabrina came over to us as the emperor’s guards herded Lilith’s men out of the room. “I just checked, and Lilith’s curse mark is no longer on Risten. Apparently, Abe was able to remove her.” She looked down. “But I can’t feel Abhulengulus anymore.”

“I can’t get him to answer me either,” I said.

She nodded distractedly. “I fear that my master has been injured. I hope it wasn’t too bad.”

Zofie and I looked at each other. Her face was a mirror of the mixed emotions I felt. We had accomplished our purpose—removing the charms and beginning an alliance the kingdom sorely needed. We had even gotten Lilith out of Risten. But the cost had been very high. Extremely high.

And Wynn had still escaped with his prize.

I glanced at Fumiko’s body, then over to the unconscious Risten, before looking back to Zofie. Her eyes confirmed the same feeling.

That the worst was yet to come.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Back

Home

Two days later, we arrived back in Brethnach in a snowy field not far from Edlingreen Castle. Captain Milner and Master Rourke, as well as several of the staff, were waiting for us as we emerged from the long-range portal, courtesy of Emperor Huang. He had even sent messengers ahead of us to ensure there were no surprises. He had offered to let us rest in his palace, but we assured him we had to return. Zofie had a kingdom to feed.

Not to mention, the Dark Avenyts waited for no one.

While the air may have been chill, we were warmly greeted by the others, and quickly ushered inside to once again begin governing the kingdom. I was glad of the gentle warmth of the castle. We were all tired. I wasn’t sure where Zofie got her energy. For me, it was an effort to just stand.

Spraggel surprisingly volunteered to stay behind, promising to work through the negotiations with the empire. My master never ceased to amaze me.

Cabrina was with us and came along quietly. She was no doubt wondering what her fate would be now that the charms were off. With the Avenyts inside her, it was hard to know how to treat her. She had started this whole adventure, and yet, she too had been a victim. For now, we confined her to a room in the castle while we discussed her fate.

Risten came with us on a stretcher. She had recovered consciousness a few hours after Lilith had been removed, but it wasn’t much of a victory. All she would do was stare straight ahead, seemingly unaware of her surroundings. The healers assured us that she was physically fine. But the havoc Lilith had caused while possessing her must have been too much. I could only imagine the atrocities she had seen.

Of course, Fumiko was with us. Zofie had insisted on preparing her friend herself, dressing her in a fine gown almost identical to the one we had seen in her last vision. For the journey home, her coffin had been draped in flowers and carried by the emperor’s finest honor guard through the portal.

While all the staff was sad and made expressions of condolences, Master