Page 34 of Heart of the Summer Queen

“Couldn’t Belinda collect the poison herself? Or did she lack the power to do so?”

“She’s as powerful as Seraphina and Isidore,” Elaric says. “Wyverns are native to the Taehan Mountains and she claimed she wasn’t on friendly terms with the witch coven that resided nearby.”

“I’d happily fight a wyvern in exchange for information on your curse.”

He casts me a wilting look.

“If you don’t tell me where she lives, I’ll find her myself. And then I’ll battle a wyvern alone. You can try to lock me up in your palace, but I’ll eventually break free. As I nearly did a few days ago.”

“I do recall,” he says dryly. “I particularly enjoyed being dragged over in the snow.”

I can’t help my smirk. “I thought you’d enjoy that part.”

He just shakes his head at me.

“So, will you take me to see Belinda?”

Elaric is silent for a moment and then says, “Very well. But if I do take you to her, you must not forget that she is a witch and will happily use you for her own gain. Be under no illusion that she can be trusted.”

I nod as intently as I can.

“And you must try not to antagonize her.”

“When have I ever antagonized anyone?”

Elaric arches a brow. “You are relentless when you have your heart set on something. While it doesn’t bother me, Belinda may feel otherwise.”

“It doesn’t bother you? Then it seems I must try harder.”

He gives a low chuckle. “You may antagonize me all you want, Adara.”

I’m grateful for the fireplace’s blue light to disguise the redness creeping across my face. “I won’t antagonize the witch and I won’t trust her. Do we have a deal?”

“I suppose,” Elaric says.

I lift my chin. “When do we leave?”

“When would you like to leave?”

“Tomorrow morning.”

With how short notice the request is, I expect him to refuse, but surprisingly he nods. “As you wish. Tomorrow morning it is.”

thirteen

That night, I hardly sleep. Not because of grief or rage, but anticipation.

Dawn doesn’t come soon enough. By the time the first rays pierce through my curtains, I’ve already been awake for an hour.

My attention turns to the door which leads to Elaric’s chambers. Though we agreed to leave in search of Belinda this morning, we didn’t specify a time. My legs itch to spring out of bed and hurry over to his door, but I force myself to stay where I am. I already disturbed him last night, and if I disturb him again this early, asking when we’ll leave, he may change his mind.

Sighing, I knit my fingers together and stare up at the swirls which dance across it. My mind drifts to the events of last night. Of everything I read in Theron’s journal. Of everything Elaric has suffered.

What sticks most in my mind is his inability to visit his sister’s grave. Though it has been three centuries, he has yet to say his farewells.

In order to pay his respects, he needs to break his curse, and that’s why he’s spent so long searching for his Summer Queen.It’s also why my sister was dragged into this. I can’t deny that if I were in his place, I too would go to great lengths to be reunited with my sister, even if only at her resting place.

I mull over Elaric’s past for a while longer before considering the prospect of meeting Belinda. Will she prove as dangerous as he claims? Will I succeed in persuading her to help us unravel the mystery of Elaric’s curse?

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