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

“Why should you care so much?” she asked.

“I don’t care.”

“You do! You act as though my decision, should it be in your favor, would give you the utmost satisfaction.”

He angled away from me, but kept his eye on me. “It’s not in me to be satisfied.”

I pressed my lips together. “You’re arrogant!”

“Arrogance is not my worst fault.”

“I don’t know how this started.” I turned on my heel and stalked to the door.

“What’s your answer, Niawen?”

I snapped around. “You know my answer. How could I pass on such a generous offer? You set no rules or boundaries. A great enticement. But freedom doesn’t break a wild horse. You might regret your kindness when you realize I cannot be tamed.”

As I reached the door and my hand brushed the frame, I heard Caedryn murmur. “I cannot be tamed either.”

THIRTY-NINE

I don’t understand Caedryn. He’s not being completely honest. I feel it. Even though he shared the story of his exile, there’s more to him than that. I was tucked into Seren’s arms in her stable, watching the first snowfall through the open doors. The flakes drifted, mimicking how I felt—lazy and pacified. My emotional journey had left me subdued, for now.

Can you trust him? Seren asked.

I don’t know. The uncertainty dug under my skin.

But you’re staying.

I’ll be fine, I said.

Remember how you felt when you met Owein? You knew he was trustworthy.

I smiled over one of my favorite memories. Owein had nothing to hide. He must be the most innocent person I’ve ever met.

Caedryn is nothing like Owein.

I don’t like making comparisons. Besides. He’s an emrys. He knows what I’m going through.

Half-emrys, Seren said.

Part emrys. Part human.

What does his human side bring? He’s still immortal?

Yes, I said. But Seren posed a valid question. Caedryn’s human side was a mystery.

Darkness? she asked.

I don’t sense any darkness in him.

But what’s he hiding? Seren asked.

That is a mystery. You know me. I’ll figure his secrets out. I like a challenge.

That’s how you get into trouble.

You trust I’ll be fine, right? I asked.

You’re capable of anything, Niawen. Once you’ve set your mind on a goal, no one can stop you.

I tucked deeper into Seren’s arms. It’s time for you to go home. I’m here to stay. Cephias needs you, and you miss Gorlassar.

I can’t deny I want to return. I’m torn about leaving.

Can’t we compromise? I’ve been on this mortal plane for six weeks. You can fly home and, in another six weeks, come for a visit.

Are you sure? Seren nuzzled my head and wrapped her claws tighter around me, as if I were one of her dragonlings.

There’s still the other option.

Absolutely not, Seren said. I’m not giving my stone to another rider. Besides, how will you have word of home? How will you call me when you need me? Our bond will hold. I’ll return in six weeks.

Good. I don’t want to keep you from your life.

Seren sighed. A dragon’s life is with her rider.

We didn’t anticipate a rider who’d leave her home, I said.

Or a stubborn rider.

Or a placating dragon. I traced my fingertips over Seren’s scales.

It was inevitable—our separation.

I know. For now, we’ll just enjoy the snow.

FORTY

His presence swept up behind me. I felt his light, even if he didn’t want me to. I couldn’t help it. A warrior didn’t let people sneak up on her.

“So she’s gone?” Caedryn asked.

“Yes. Seren left at daybreak.” The gray cotton-balled sky hadn’t changed since morning, since I watched Seren fly into it.

“Are you going to stand in the middle of the courtyard all day?”

I hadn’t moved. Snow carpeted my body. I frowned into the distance, with my chin lifted to where I last saw Seren. I had become a rigid statue they’d have to cart away and stow in an out-of-the-way closet before birds landed on me. Before I froze over.

“I know how difficult this is for you,” he said.

My eyelashes blinked back snowflakes. Tears weren’t going to fall, but I couldn’t move. Seren was well into the highlands. The snow had not begun in the south. The barren, harvested patchwork of fields just enhanced my somber mood.

The world was ugly.

I missed Gorlassar.

“I don’t know anymore why I came here.” Because I wanted adventure. Because I wanted to see what no one else had. Because I wanted to know the secrets of the mortals. “Do you think this world is evil?” I was afraid to ask a man who had lived here his whole life. He didn’t have Gorlassar for comparison. “I was told Bryn was evil.”

“Evil is in the eye of the beholder. As is beauty. Bryn has both.”

“Do you feel it? When you close your eyes? I tried to ignore it. I tried to see the beauty this world has.”

“Niawen, come inside,” Caedryn said.

“Just a few more minutes.”

“Then I shall stand here with you.”

I didn’t turn my head. I didn’t close my sight to Seren’s cross-country flight, but Caedryn slipped beside me, staring off into the distance. I was glad he didn’t look at me. Glad he didn’t goad me.

Just two statues in the courtyard.

His presence was an odd comfort.

FORTY-ONE

I abandoned my vigil. My nose and cheeks had frosted over. For some reason Kenrik flashed into my mind as I stood there. He cursed the cold and rubbed his red nose. I would have laughed had I not been mourning Seren’s departure. At least the vision of Kenrik convinced me to wipe the snow from my face.

Caedryn didn’t say a word as I turned and headed toward the keep. He didn’t brush the snow