Page 184 of Tale of the Heart Queen

I think he’s right. I can’t explain why, but it feels like we’re high up. When Herric granted us these outfits, he also braided my hair. A breeze tosses the few strands framing my face, tickling my cheeks. The idea of him clothing and manipulating us makes my skin crawl, but that’s the least of my problems right now.

Are you also wearing cuffs? Nadir asks.

I look down at my hands again, twisting my wrists left and right. Herric doesn’t know I’m immune. Along with our mate bond, maybe this is the edge we need.

I am. What’s about to happen, Nadir?

I don’t know.

I’m scared.

So am I.

The seconds pass as my heart beats in my throat. Slowly, I turn around, trying to orient myself. Without my sense of sight, I’m unbalanced, and I bend my knees, holding my hands out, attempting to find my equilibrium. Ready for whatever is coming. I hope.

The voices swoop higher, buzzing with anticipation, and I hold completely still, though everything in me wants to find something solid to touch.

A bright light sears across my vision, startling me, and I stumble back, shielding my eyes with my hand. My heel slips off an edge, and I scream as my arms windmill for several long seconds to the sound of delighted gasps and screams. I have just enough presence of mind to make out that I’m standing atop a platform suspended over a drop that disappears into the darkness. I continue to tip and lurch, trying to recover my balance. My foot slips and I pitch forward, my knee crashing against the sharp edge.

I cry out as my shin scrapes a rough corner before I collapse. Rolling over, I clutch my throbbing leg. “Fuck!” I shout, earning me a chorus of snide laughter.

Inhaling a deep breath and blowing it out of my mouth, I will my fury to settle. I can’t believe I’m in this fucking place again, surrounded by monsters who delight in my suffering.

Flipping onto my hands and knees, I take in my surroundings. Everything is still dark except for two bright spotlights, one shining on me and the other on Nadir, who’s also perched on top of a small platform.

Are you okay? Don’t nod.

No, I’m not fucking okay.

Waiting on my hands and knees, I stare across the space, but I can barely make out his features.

We’re going to get out of this.

Tears fill my eyes, and one rolls down my cheek, slipping off my chin. I drop my head, staring between my hands as I suck in a long breath.

He keeps saying that, but everything just gets worse and worse. Of all the endings I imagined for myself, this blows every notion I could have conjured out of the water.

Another light flares and my head snaps up to find Herric standing several feet away.

“Welcome to your challenge,” he shouts from where he seems to hover in the air. “I hope you enjoy what I’ve put together for you.”

A moment later, more lights spring to life, revealing a massive round stadium filled with thousands of spectators.

“Your task,” Herric shouts, “is to reach the center and retrieve your gift, Heart Queen.”

Instead of that empty blackness, a microcosm of jungle and forest, swamps, lakes, rivers, trees, and rocks sprawls below us. In the very center is a mountain with a single red rose suspended over its peak spinning slowly in the air.

I try to swallow, but my mouth feels like it’s coated in wool. Panicked sweat breaks out over my forehead.

“You’ll find a few surprises along the way,” Herric continues. “But I’m sure you’ll have no problem dealing with them. Or maybe you will. That’s sort of the point, isn’t it?”

I harden my jaw and push myself up into a fighting stance, my hands curled in tight fists.

Whatever is about to happen, I must get to Nadir.

My life is safe for now, but Herric will do everything to kill him.

“There are no rules in the arena. Do whatever you need to stay alive. Good luck, little queen.”