Page 45 of Heart of the Summer Queen

“You saved her in the past,” I say, “and yet she still made you collect wyvern poison and risk your life?”

Elaric glances around at the surrounding trees, as if to check whether she is hiding within the shadows. “Indeed,” he murmurs.

Given his unease, I decide it best not to slander Belinda any further. Not when offending her might mean her turning us away.

Or worse.

After another hour of walking, we reach a bridge. Though it can hardly be called that, since it’s just a large, fallen tree suspended over a violent river. Hundreds of feet below, jagged rocks glint in the low light, their surfaces like polished onyx.

Elaric stops at the edge and peers at the tree trunk. “This wasn’t here last time I visited.”

“Then how did you cross the river?”

“As the gap was much narrower, I was able to jump across.” He places his foot at the end of the trunk and pushes down. The log creaks but doesn’t budge. It’s wedged deep into the earth on both sides. Whoever put it here clearly intended for it to stay in place. “It should hold our weight. Although it would be wise to cross one at a time.”

My eyes trail from the log down to the river rushing far beneath. I dearly hope Elaric’s evaluation is correct, or else it may cost us our lives. Well, mine at least.

“I suppose there might be another way around it,” Elaric says. “But it could mean wandering through the trees all day.”

“It’s fine,” I say, lifting my chin. I don’t want to alter our plans because Elaric thinks I’m too afraid to cross this bridge. “Let’s do it.”

Before he can change his mind, I step up onto the trunk.

“Adara!” he calls after me. It takes only three steps for his shouts to be drowned out by the rushing river.

My first few steps are strong and sure. But around a third of the way across the bridge, maintaining my balance becomes much harder.

The wind is determined to push me off, and finding grip in the smoother areas of the trunk is a challenge. I take small, slow steps as I shuffle across the bridge.

A sudden gust blows me left.

I lean right to correct it but overcompensate too much and almost lose my balance.

Arms flailing, I narrowly regain stability. My breaths come out in sharp gasps as I realize how close I was to slipping. I’m certain Elaric will have noticed my stumble, but if he’s yelling my name, I can’t hear him.

Maybe I should have let him cross first. If he falls, his curse should prevent him from dying, as no magic is involved.

Since I’m already halfway across, it’s too late to turn around. I’ll just have to trust his judgment.

Grimacing, I continue across the bridge. Though my footing is no more secure than before, I quicken, desperate to reach the other side.

The worst part about crossing the bridge is the middle. Once I’m two-thirds of the way, each step grows easier.

And then I’m on solid ground.

My legs feel strange, having held such tension. At first, I think they may give out, but I manage to stay upright.

Glancing back, I see Elaric on the other side. Even from here, his relief is evident.

I tell myself his concern is only because I’m the one who can break his curse. I cannot forget he wishes our marriage annulled.

He doesn’t hesitate for long before crossing himself. Though the wind is as fierce as it was while I was on the bridge, he shows little sign of exertion and his swift, strong strides are completely unfazed.

“Are you all right?” he asks, soon stepping onto firm earth.

I give a slight nod. “Fine.”

“We should reach Belinda by dusk,” he says, scanning the trees ahead. “That bridge should be the last obstacle before her home. Unless anything else in these woods has changed since my last visit.”

---