Taking her hand, I follow the sprites toward the boulders, and they flit and flicker around us. I can almost imagine that they’re talking, and my heart fills with gratitude.
There’s a very high chance we’re being misled, but it’s difficult to deny that the sprites seem pleased with the direction we’re taking. And they wereverydispleased when we were headed toward that bridge.
CHAPTER 16
Rosomon
Zogar’s being stubborn—not a shock—but I understand his attitude, because it’s clear that he can’t see what I’m seeing. He did tell me some magic only works on humans, and it’s scary to think that he could be right—that the beautiful path we took was only a hallucination brought on by the sprites’ stings. But deep in my gut I believe that the pretty, cruel creatures are trying to help us. That they’re warning us away from the path that Zogar wanted to take.
Every time we took the main path, the sprites attacked. Yet they stopped when we went the direction they showed me. I’d do anything to avoid another one of those excruciating stings, and I hope I’m not just choosing to trust the sprites to avoid pain.
The river is definitely too deep to wade across. The water’s flowing quickly, and the current is strong, swirling around boulders that form what seems like an easily passable, natural bridge across the water. I assume Zogar’s a strong swimmer—he’s good at all things—but as we stand on the riverbank, hiseyes show fear. Something I am not accustomed to seeing in him.
“I’ll keep you safe,” he says again, but his voice lacks the complete confidence that’s normally there.
The water is splashing up in places, leaving the boulder tops damp. I’m sure I can get across, but I need to convince Zogar that I’m capable.
“Some of the boulders look slippery.” I run my hand down his arm. “I’ll make sure I don’t land on any patches of moss. The spacing looks easy enough, even for me.” I smile up at him. “Definitely for you. Or we could fly across?”
He shakes his head. “I can’t shift here.”
I was joking, but don’t bother saying so. There’s still so much I don’t know about dragons—about my husband—but I suppose I have plenty of time to learn, if we’re to build a life together.
My chest squeezes with longing for Saxon and Tynan, hoping they’re both safe and well. Zogar has promised that we’ll return to the Light—that I’ll see them again. I’ve forgiven him for many things, but would never forgive him if he breaks that pledge.
He’s staring down the river toward the bridge, a frown on his face.
“Do you still want to try the bridge?” I slide my fingers along his strong arm.
He shakes his head. “There’s danger at the bridge. Trolls.”
Nothing in his expression hints at a jest. “Trolls?”
“Yes.” His jaw is tight, and he nods. “Trolls would exact a high toll for our crossing. If they let us cross at all.” He looks atthe boulders again, clearly worried that I won’t make it across. And then he straps biggest bag—all the others inside it—over his shoulders, leaving his hands free.
“I’ll jump first,” he says. “That way I can grab you if the distance for some leaps proves too far.”
I nod. He seems far more wary of this crossing than I am, and I wish I could convince him of my confidence. “I’ve crossed water using boulders like this before.” Back home, I only crossed creeks, not raging rivers, but this isn’t that different. “I’ll be fine.”
He nods, stiffly, and then closes his eyes for a brief moment. He cups my face in his hands and kisses me gently. Then, taking a long stride, he leaps toward the first boulder. He almost overshoots it but windmills his arms to stop himself.
He turns back toward me. “It’s not as far as it looks.”
I smile. There’s no way I’d jab at his pride by pointing out that he jumped with far too much force.
I take a few steps back, then run and leap onto the boulder. I land easily, but he pulls me against him as if I barely made it. I’m not complaining about the contact, but note that his heart is beating very rapidly. He’s so worried for me, and that touches my heart.
“Let’s get this over with quickly.” He looks at me, but not directly into my eyes. “Do you agree?”
“I do.”
He turns toward the next boulder, studies it for a moment and then makes a jumping stride toward it. The distance isn’t great, and I follow quickly behind him, landing before he turns.
I place my hands on his back. When he feels my touch, his muscles relax, and he glances over his shoulder. “Well done, my queen.”
“You as well, my king.” I grin and am grateful to see a glint in his eyes.
We quickly traverse the next two boulders, but then he stops. We’re midway across the river, and the water’s rushing quickly around us. If I fell in here, the current would certainly wash me far downstream. It might even drag away someone as large as Zogar.
