Heart of the Summer Queen: An Enemies to Lovers Fantasy Romance by Holly Rose

Author:Holly Rose [Rose, Holly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Red Spark Press
Published: 2024-02-16T00:00:00+00:00

twenty-two

It takes my frenzied mind a moment to realize exactly what just happened.

Elaric froze the lake with a single thought, even though he’s standing so far away on the other side.

The water is suspended around me, forming an indentation. The surface is a few feet above, close enough I should be able to reach up and drag myself out.

Rising to my feet is a struggle on the smooth surface. The clear ice reveals the dark waters as if encased in glass.

Just an arm’s length away lies the eel, fangs bared wide in preparation of a lethal strike. Its next surge through water would have shredded me into ribbons.

Dread shivers through me.

If Elaric delayed in freezing the lake, I’d be dead right now.

When I look behind, I see the shadowy figures of more trapped eels. Though they’re several yards away, they would have reached me soon after the first.

“Adara!” Elaric’s cry rings out, no longer muffled by the splashing of water. Footsteps echo, growing nearer as he crosses the lake.

I grip the icy ledge and drag my body up with gritted teeth. It proves a great effort after all of tonight’s trials.

Elaric grabs my arms, inspecting me carefully. Alarm flares across his face as he notices the swollen puncture marring the back of my hand.

“It’s nothing,” I insist, pulling away my hand. But his grip is unyielding.

“The paralysis . . . ” Fear laces his voice.

“I’m fine,” I say quickly.

Elaric’s eyes drop to the antidote vial at my neck, now containing the crumpled brambleweed leaves stuffed inside. A muscle feathers in his jaw. “I should have never let you do this.”

I straighten as much as my weary body permits. “You know you could never have stopped me.” I do my best to steel my voice but cannot prevent the slight waver. Now adrenaline is wearing off, I’m left swaying on my feet.

“Those things nearly had you,” he grinds out.

I avert my gaze, unable to meet his piercing eyes. “Thank you. For saving me.”

He grips my other hand. “You needn’t thank me for saving your life, Adara. I would never let anything hurt you.”

I keep my eyes lowered, unprepared to confront the emotion burning behind those words.

“You’re shivering,” he says, scanning over me. “And so pale.”

I only now realize that I am indeed shivering. In fact, I’m freezing, though not from Elaric’s magic. The lake’s water drenching my hair and skin is untouched by frost. With the biting wind rolling over us, I can’t seem to stop from trembling.

“I’m f-fine,” I force out, but my teeth betray me by chattering.

Elaric pins me with an incredulous look before sweeping me up into his arms. A vague notion of protest crosses my mind, but we both know my exhausted body would collapse long before making it across the lake alone.

I relax into his sturdy embrace. Though his touch would freeze anyone else, the chill within me is already receding from his warmth.

Elaric crosses the lake swiftly. I savor his closeness as he carries me to shore.

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