Page 98 of Heart of the Summer Queen

Snow snatches at our limbs as if to delay us. Wind pummels us relentlessly. Still, we strain against the forces, even as my lungs burn with effort.

At last we collapse behind the boulder. The translucent surface provides meager shelter but out here, it’s the only shield we have from the castle high above.

Holding my breath, I peer around the boulder to scan across the city.

Formidable walls hem the city on all sides, melding with the mountain itself. A grand archway stands sentry at the front, marking the main gate, while a smaller entrance lies along the left wall. I suspect there’s another on the right as well, though our current vantage denies us even a glimpse of it.

Paths perhaps once approached all three gates but are now long buried. The only traces left of their existence are the rows of scattered lanterns leading up to the city.

“It would be better if we confront Isidore inside the city,” I say, “rather than out here in the open.”

“Indeed,” Elaric replies, “though entering it may prove problematic. We’re still a fair distance from the city and traveling through either the main or left gates risks exposing us.”

Grimly, I nod my agreement. Entering via the main gate will force us through open snow. While the left gate is closer to the cliffs and offers slightly more cover, there’s still a fair portion of the journey uncovered.

Neither path looks ideal. Though I try to get a better look at the right side, nothing suggests it’ll be any less exposed than the other two gates.

“Maybe we could follow the cliffs all the way to the walls,” I suggest, “and avoid the gates altogether. We could use the sword to carve our own entrance into the city.”

“Through the walls?” Elaric asks, a brow rising.

“The blade sliced through the sea serpent’s scales with ease. Icy walls shouldn’t prove much more of a challenge for it.”

Elaric considers my suggestion briefly before shaking his head. “The walls are bound with Isidore’s power. She would sense the sword the instant it breached her magic.”

I examine the city again, but I can see no way through other than the gates. The walls are too tall to climb, and while snowblankets the city’s exterior, it’s impossible to know what lies beneath on the other side. Should we fall, we may slam into solid ground.

“Then it’ll have to be the left entrance,” I say. “Let’s hope Isidore’s attention lies elsewhere for now.”

Without further delay, Elaric seizes the sack and bolts from behind the boulder into the gaping white maw. I scramble after him, the brief yet harrowing sprint back toward the cliffs leaving us dangerously revealed.

Despite his longer strides, Elaric is careful to maintain his pace so as not to abandon me as I flounder through the deep snow. Still, the effort of hurrying after him soon overwhelms me.

Finally, we reach the cliffs once more.

My chest heaves as I double over, bracing my palms on my knees and fighting to regain breath. Elaric pauses beside me, face creased in concern as he surveys my ragged state.

Trepidation sinks into my gut as I envision the longer, more hazardous journey toward the city gates. One glance from the stronghold above, and we’ll lose the element of surprise.

“Are you all right?” Elaric asks.

“I’m fine now,” I rasp.

Elaric’s dubious scrutiny sears into me. But he says nothing more before turning to press on.

We continue beneath the precarious shade of the cliffs, making haste toward the walls glittering in the distance. The waning moon creeps ever closer to the horizon. Before long, dawn will arrive, and then finding cover will be an even greater challenge beneath its brilliant rays.

I double my pace, and Elaric matches it without question. Snow sprays around us as we force our way through the heavy layers.

By the time we near the city walls, the darkness sheltering us has withered to slight wisps. A great expanse lies between wherewe stand beneath the cliffs and the gate ahead. We’ll need to race across as quickly as we can.

Elaric halts. “Ready?”

“Ready,” I gasp through the fire in my lungs.

He hurries out without further warning. I lurch after him into the dazzling moonlight, feeling dangerously exposed against the snow’s glare.

As I trail his swift strides along the walls’ perimeter, I try to align my footprints with his. If Isidore glances down and notices two paths, she’ll realize Elaric didn’t come here alone.

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