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

to them. “And you too, Fumiko, I hope you are also well. I pray my parents haven’t been giving you too much trouble.”

She came over and took my arm, pulling me close. She smiled up at me before turning back to the stone coffins. “Father, Mother, Fumiko... I wanted you to be the first to know that Coren and I are expecting. I am very confident that the baby will be a girl, and I’ve already picked out a name. Winstella Fumiko Xernow. What do you think? I hope you don’t mind me naming her after you two ladies.”

“I think it’s a fine name.”

We jerked at the unexpected voice. We heard a scraping sound, followed by shuffling coming down the darkened corridor. I quickly stepped in front of Zofie and drew my sword.

“Who’s there?” I called.

The shuffling continued toward us. My eyes went wide as I recognized the person before me. Zofie gasped and ran forward, quickly pulling the person into a deep hug, which was richly returned.

Risten looked at me and smiled. I could tell it was her and not the impostor that had been possessing her. She held out her other arm, and I also moved in for a hug.

“I’m back,” she croaked. Tears were in her eyes. “I can’t thank you enough for saving me. I’d given up.”

“What woke you?” I asked.

Risten snorted. “It was Rourke along with that blasted brat and her Avenyts. He brought them to see me.” She shook her head. “That Avenyts is something else. She visited me in my head, saying it was safe to come out.” She smiled. “I didn’t want to at first, but then she told me it was the only way I’d get to see my niece.”

Zofie gave her another hug. “I’m glad you decided to return. I’ve missed you.” She patted her abdomen. “And your niece is going to need her aunt.”

Risten nodded and looked away. “I... I’m still not well.” She licked her lips. “You would not believe the things she did to me. Or the things she made me do.” She shivered.

I couldn’t help but wonder how Cabrina and Hope had managed it. And then it hit me. “She possessed you, didn’t she? She promised she wouldn’t do that again.”

Risten shrugged. “I told you, she’s something else. And don’t worry, Rourke was standing by in case something went wrong.” Risten’s eyes were drawn to the newest addition to the crypt. “Can you excuse me for a moment?”

She slowly stepped over to Fumiko’s sarcophagus. She put a gentle hand on it. “Thank you. You kept me from committing a sin from which I would have never recovered. I can never repay the debt I owe you.”

Zofie came up behind her and also put a hand on the sarcophagus as she patted Risten’s back. They shared a moment of silence.

The princess turned away and drew Risten with her. “Now, let’s eat. We’ll have to share because I didn’t know we were having guests.” And Zofie began to set out the food.

I sighed, rubbing my eyes and giving a tired smile. The kingdom now had enough provisions and possessed a new alliance with the empire. Things were finally looking up. We might even gain the trust of the neighboring kingdoms. We would definitely need their cooperation if we had any hope of driving back the Dark Avenyts.

And then there was Wynn. Why did he want the Forever Nexus Shadow? It couldn’t be anything good.

I leaned against the corridor’s rock wall. I was so tired. I had never been this tired in my entire life.

It was at that moment that I felt a sudden chill go through me. It was like my spine had been replaced by a block of ice, and my limbs turned into solid lead weights. Then I felt something speaking inside my head from far away. It sounded like Abe, but the words were stretched out. Cor—en... he—lp... I... bro—ken....

The world around me swam. I opened my mouth to call out, but then the floor did the damnedest thing.

It rose up and smacked me in the face.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

The

Promise

From the personal journal of Princess Zophia Olwenna Xernow, included here at the command of her majesty.

Coren won’t wake up.

My beloved has been unconscious for three weeks. His face relaxed and calm, like he should just open his eyes and bounce out of bed. From the flicks of his eyes beneath their lids, he seems to be dreaming. But I have no clue as to what those dreams might be.

I called healers and myst users to examine him from both within my kingdom and the neighboring ones. None of them could tell me anything. I called the Keepers, thinking something in their ancient library might be able to help him, but they could offer me no hope. I even begged the empire to send their best, which they did, but could find nothing wrong.

But still, my beloved won’t wake up. And to add to the mystery, the curse mark on his wrist has been fading. The myst user from the empire proposed that his curse had somehow been damaged when he fought to free Risten. He thought it might have affected his mind as well. It’s as good a guess as any.

But I swear on my parents’ tomb that I will find an answer.

I will awaken him.

My child will know her father.

All I need is a miracle.

Even if I have to make one myself.

The story continues in

Book 4 of the

Chronicles of Coren Hart Series

Acknowledgments

As the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child. The same can be said with books. Assassin of Curses would not have happened