Corrupted: An Epic Dragons and Immortals Romantic Fantasy (Fallen Emrys Chronicles Book 1) E.E. Everly (best biographies to read .TXT) 📖

broke on my face, and I gushed, “Yes, Your Highness.” I rubbed my fingers along Seren’s neck to her cheek, showing him where he could touch.

Kelyn stepped into place beside me, and with his fingers brushing mine, he stroked Seren’s scales. “She’s smooth and unyielding, like armor. And hot like an oven. Remarkable.”

His eyes took Seren in, following the contour of her scales up to her jaw. He counted the spikes dotting her brow. Seventeen of them. Tiny for her, but the size of my pinky. Kelyn examined her crimson eye, which swirled with shades of brown and rust.

Seren blinked, and Kelyn stepped back. “She’s beautiful.”

“Thank you,” she said with a huff of smoke.

Everyone gasped. Seren and I were anticipating this little surprise. Only the two of us, and Owein, knew she could speak.

“I want to touch her,” a childlike voice said.

Brenin released Tiwlip’s hand and squeezed past Kenrik, who impulsively scooped the bold little prince up.

Seren nodded. “Go ahead, young prince.” Might as well let everyone have a turn so I won’t be assaulted later.

I love you, Seren. You’re being extremely patient. I hugged her.

Kenrik and Brenin took their turns greeting Seren.

“You speak,” Kenrik said. “I should have guessed as much. Niawen, you should have told me about Seren sooner.”

“There wasn’t time. With your mother’s healing and my being asleep for three days. And the ball.”

Kenrik touched my hand resting against Seren. His voice was earnest, and soft. His words were not meant to be heard by anyone else, even though he hefted Brenin in his other arm, and Kelyn stood at his elbow. The fervor in Kenrik’s eyes pierced my chest. “You have my trust, always. Keep nothing a secret. Whatever I have is yours. Whomever you love, I love. To whomever and whatever you give your life, I give mine.”

Every nerve in my arm tingled. Kenrik’s devotion was deeper than I originally suspected. What would his heart-center tell me if I peered inside? I blinked away his fervor. “Kenrik…” I whispered. I couldn’t grasp the significance behind his declaration. My eyes closed as I inhaled. Thank you was all I mustered with a breathy exhale.

After King Sieffre and Sorfrona met Seren, Tiwlip slipped forward and took Brenin from Kenrik. She quietly pressed her cheek to Seren’s and whispered. “Thank you for sharing your sister with us.” She disappeared into the crowd with her son.

I was touched. Tiwlip felt like an outsider as the widowed sister-in-law to Sieffre, but her bond to Sorfrona was clear. Tiwlip’s gratitude ran over. She could never repay me for saving her sister-in-law.

Meeting Seren went better than I expected.

Much of the crowd still lingered after they gawked at Seren and touched her scales. A few caressed her wings, and she shooed them away after that. A dragon’s wings were his or her pride. Seren didn’t allow just anyone to touch them.

“You must excuse me,” I nodded to Kelyn and Kenrik. “Owein owes me an explanation, and I must return him to his caravan.”

“Man, I don’t envy you.” Kelyn slapped him on the shoulder. “You shouldn’t have run out on this lady.”

“I’m sure I’ve learned my lesson, Your Highness. Thank you for your hospitality.” Owein bowed.

“We’ll take care of spreading the word about Seren,” Kenrik said. “Father will draft a proclamation declaring that she is not to be harmed.”

“You have my gratitude,” I said as Seren gave me a leg up into the saddle. I held my hand out to Owein. “One more ride, you scoundrel.”

Owein grasped my hand, and I pulled him up. He settled himself behind me in the saddle and wrapped his arms around my waist. As Kenrik and Kelyn stepped back, their eyes held the fire of jealousy.

I sighed.

Men and mortals.

NINETEEN

I shoved Owein, not hard for an immortal, but hard for a mortal.

He stumbled backward, but I advanced on him and shoved him again. “What were you thinking?”

“Ouch, Niawen!” Owein rubbed his chest, retreating. “Obviously I wasn’t.”

I pushed his shoulder, and he lost his footing.

He fell on his rear in the mud. “Remind me not to anger immortals.”

We’d found the caravan, and Seren had landed in the front, halting the line.

Arnall pulled Owein to his feet. The company had drawn around to see why I was abusing one of their captains. They were still in awe over Seren too. Some of them couldn’t get around the fact that Owein and I lied to them about Seren. The farce had been exposed when Seren picked up Owein earlier.

“All right, everybody. Show’s over,” Arnall said. “Niawen, give the man a break. You were engrossed in the prince. A guy can tell when he’s not wanted.”

What? Engrossed in the prince? I shook my head. “Please give us a minute, Arnall.”

He rolled his eyes but left us.

I wagged my head side to side. “Owein, you’re mistaken. I read your letter. The prince—”

“Can offer you every opportunity I cannot. Don’t you understand? I have to return home anyway. I’m a wanderer. If you stayed with me, yes, you’d see the world, but I live by the bow on my back. You’d be dirty and cold—”

“I would never be cold.”

“Fine. Scratch that one,” he said. “But my life is not the life I’d want to drag you on. You deserve more. Comforts. Nobility. Rich foods. Prince Kelyn can give you all that.”

“Owein… dear sweet Owein. I would have followed you on an adventure. Discomfort or loss of luxury doesn’t bother me, but you stole away. You didn’t even say goodbye.”

“I thought it would be easier.” He rubbed his shoulder. “I couldn’t have been more wrong.”

Why was saying goodbye so difficult? I curled my lip against my teeth, fidgeting. My brow felt twisted in a dozen knots.

“You’re going