Prince of Shadow and Ash

by Selina R. Gonzalez

  Sure, right. Adelaide stepped in front of Regulus. “This is nonsense!”

  Nolan scowled. “Get her out of here.”

  Four more men stepped toward her and Regulus. Her first instinct was to pull her dagger from her boot, but what good would that do? There were close to twenty men in the hall, including Nolan and the sheriff. Regulus gently grabbed her arm and moved her aside.

  “No one touches her.” Regulus looked at Nolan. “You have a problem with me? Fine. Be a man and challenge me to a duel.”

  Panic rose in Adelaide’s chest. Etiros, how do we stop Nolan?

  “Mm, no.”

  “Then I challenge you!” Regulus pointed his sword at Nolan.

  “Ha.” Nolan shook his head. “I don’t have to accept a challenge from a man accused of treason.”

  “You think these men are enough to take me and my men?” A menacing smile spread over Regulus’ face and for the first time, Adelaide understood the mercenary that was all some people saw when they looked at him.

  “Confident, aren’t we?” Nolan shrugged. “I’d wager they could, but if they can’t, there’s another ten in the foyer and fifteen more on standby in the courtyard. You can’t escape.”

  “I don’t run,” Regulus said in a low voice. He raised his sword and adjusted his footing.

  Adelaide clenched her fists. No, no. This can’t be happening!

  “If you fight back, what happens?” Nolan asked with a wicked smile. He pointed to Regulus’ men. Perceval still held his drawn sword, his eyes fixed on Regulus like he was waiting for a signal to attack. Caleb and Jerrick held the carving knives at the ready, their eyes roving over the men in the hall. Estevan paced back and forth, a cat ready to pounce. Dresden’s fingers twitched, his gaze fixed on the knight nearest him. “If they fight with you, they’ll die with you.”

  “That’s what we do,” Perceval said, his tone icy cold. “I know loyalty must be a difficult concept for a snake like you.”

  “You want to be the first to die?” Nolan’s lip curled up in a sneer.

  Perceval took a step toward Nolan, and Nolan’s knights moved to intercept him. Adelaide felt rooted to the floor, her voice trapped in her throat.

  “Stand down, men,” Regulus said, his voice heavy. Perceval froze, as did the knights. They all looked at Regulus.

  Adelaide’s breath caught. Regulus’ sword clattered to the stone floor, and the sound made her jump as it reverberated through the hall. Regulus raised his hands.

  “I surrender.”

  Adelaide froze. The men who had been moving toward her jumped forward and surrounded Regulus. Two of them grabbed Regulus’ arms. Perceval and the others stared at Regulus, their disbelief clear.

  “I said, stand down,” Regulus repeated as the knights pinned his arms behind his back and pushed him toward the doors. Perceval sheathed his sword, his face red.

  “What? No!” Adelaide grabbed at one of the men and tried to pull him off Regulus. “Let him go!” Another man pushed her away as they hurried Regulus out of the hall. Her boot caught on the hem of her skirt, and she started to fall.

  Hands grasped her arms and steadied her. Nolan smiled, a picture of carefree calm. “Easy there.”

  She pulled away. Regulus had already disappeared through the doorway out of the hall, trailed by his fuming men. “What is wrong with you! What are you doing?”

  “I would have thought it was obvious. Getting rid of an obstacle.” He looked at her patronizingly. “I warned you. You don’t want to go to war with me.”

  “Treason? They’ll hang him!”

  “I certainly hope so.”

  “You...” That’s when she saw the dagger in his belt. Regulus’ dagger. Her dagger. He must have caught her gaze, because he rested his hand on the hilt and smirked.

  Maybe she should just kill him. Then there would be no witnesses to Regulus’ supposed crime. Just several witnesses for her, murdering a baron’s son in front of a sheriff.

  “You can put a stop to this, you know.” Nolan stepped closer. “Say you’ll marry me, and I promise, the bastard will live. I’ll leave him and his alone.”

  The breath seemed sucked from her lungs. She couldn’t even push her never past her stuck tongue. She looked toward the door. Regulus’ men stood on the other side, at the top of the stairs leading down in the foyer, their backs to her. The sheriff stood in the hall, watching her and Nolan with disinterest.

  “I guess he dies, then.”

  She looked back as Nolan crossed his arms and stared into her eyes. Waiting for her to break.

  “You know, others were with him, when he was plotting treason.” He looked at his fingernails. “One of whom, now that I saw him here, looked suspiciously like your brother-in-law.”

  Adelaide covered her mouth with her fist and gasped. Her gut clenched. Etiros, please. Her face burned. So did her hands, and she clenched her fists tighter to keep her magic under control. “You’re a monster.”

  “I’m just a man willing to do whatever it takes to get what I want.” The icy look in his eyes made her shiver.

  “You think I could ever love you?”

  “Eventually, yes, I think you will.” He shrugged. “But I don’t need you to love me. I need you to marry me and act happy about it.”

  No. This was all wrong. This wasn’t supposed to happen. She had to...had to... Her shoulders drooped. She had to protect her family. And she couldn’t let Regulus die because of her. “Fine,” she whispered.

  Nolan stepped so close her skirt brushed his boots. “What was that?”

  “I’ll marry you.” The words tasted like vinegar. “So long as they all live. You can’t let them hurt or kill Regulus.”

  Nolan grinned. “Sheriff!” He stepped around her. “I’ve just realized—we’ve got the wrong man. Turns out he’s innocent.” Nolan held up a hand, as if saying oh well.

  “You want him arrested, or don’t you?” the sheriff huffed.

  Nolan took Adelaide’s hand and strode toward the sheriff, pulling her along. “Not anymore.” He lowered his voice. “Don’t worry, you’ll still get paid.”

  Adelaide’s mouth hung open, but both men ignored her as they walked out into the foyer full of armed men, with Regulus in the center. Gaius and Minerva stood off to the side. Minerva’s eyes were wide in her ashen face. Gaius’s forehead wrinkled and his lips pinched, eyes narrowed. Nolan, Adelaide, and the sheriff passed Dresden and the others at the top of the staircase as they walked down toward Regulus. The sheriff approached Regulus, and Nolan followed with Adelaide in tow.

  “You say this isn’t the man?” the sheriff asked Nolan.

  Regulus looked at the sheriff in surprise, then at Nolan. His eyes flashed when his gaze landed on her hand in Nolan’s.

  “I realized it when I was talking to Adelaide,” Nolan said flippantly. “The man looked almost exactly like Hargreaves, but now that I look at him, he’s far too tall. The man I overheard was about Adelaide’s height, so it couldn’t be Hargreaves.”

  Regulus stared at Nolan like he was seeing a specter.

  “It seems you are innocent after all,” the sheriff said to Regulus. “Forgive us the intrusion.” He bowed stiffly. “Release him.” The men holding Regulus stepped back and his arms fell to his sides.

  “A simple mistake, I’m afraid,” Nolan said with a wave of his free hand. “My apologies. However, threatening to attack bailiffs, agents of the law, and all this fighting to the death bravado...” He clicked his tongue and put his arm around Adelaide’s waist and pulled her against his side. She wanted to recoil from his touch, but she bit her tongue and forced herself to stand still. “I don’t want my betrothed around such violent men.”

  “Your...” Hurt and confusion flickered over Regulus’ face before the fire in his eyes returned even brighter. “What happened?”

  “Didn’t she tell you, Hargreaves?” Nolan gloated. “We’re engaged to be married.” He pulled the dagger from his belt and held it out on his palm. “Sh
e gave me this as a token of her affection and a symbol of our betrothal.”

  Regulus’ face pinched as he looked at the dagger. The dagger he had given her. She clenched her jaw, her stomach roiling. He looked at her. “No,” Regulus said. Then again, his voice stronger. “No.”

  “I’m sorry, Regulus.” Her voice sounded strained, and she swallowed. What lie to tell to get him to stand down? If Nolan had paid off the sheriff, he would only have to say the word and these men would run Regulus through on the spot and claim he had resisted arrest. “This isn’t how I wanted to tell you.”

  “You...but...” Regulus reached toward her. Nolan pulled her back and pointed the dagger at Regulus. Several men around them drew their swords. Regulus held up his hands and stepped back as Nolan returned the dagger to his belt.

  “What is this?” Minerva’s voice. Adelaide looked over her shoulder as Minerva and Gaius wove between armed men toward them. “You two are not betrothed!”

  “Well, we have to speak to your father to make it official, but she has accepted my proposal.” Nolan squeezed her waist. “Isn’t that right, love?” He sounded so cavalier.

  “Yes.” She couldn’t meet Minerva’s eyes.

  Gaius’s cheeks reddened. “You’re lying.”

  No, Gaius. Please don’t.

  “If I know anything about my sister,” Minerva spoke with the sharpness of the daggers they had trained with, “I know she wants nothing to do with you.” She looked at Adelaide. “Did he hurt you?”

  “No.” Adelaide forced herself to look at Minerva, begging her with her eyes to stop. To accept it. “I...” Her tongue stuck in her mouth. She thought of Regulus, being forced to his knees in front of an executioner. Of Gaius beside him. With all sincerity, but not about Nolan, she said, “I love him.” I love him. The realization cracked through her heart. I love Regulus more than I hate Nolan.

  “Horse manure,” Dresden spat as he walked down the stairs. “What did he do?”

  “You think I, a man of chivalry, would harm or threaten a lady?” Nolan sounded hurt and disappointed. He turned and brushed her hair behind her ear. “How could I hurt you, love?” His voice was soft, his eyes tender. He played the part maddeningly well, but his false gentleness filled her with disgust.

  “She looks uncomfortable,” Gaius ventured.

  Nolan frowned at Gaius. “I had expected joy for our announcement; not to be attacked like this.” His fingers dug into Adelaide’s side, pinching her.

  “I was wrong about Nolan.” She forced a smile and laid a hand on his chest. “I was confused about my feelings.” It felt like swallowing sawdust. “He’s a...worthy man.”

  “Like hell.” Regulus pointed at Nolan. “After what he did—”

  “Regulus,” Adelaide said. This was not going well. What did Nolan think would happen? “Lord Hargreaves.” Regulus blinked like she had slapped him. “You have to let me go. Please. It’s for the best.”

  “Best for who?” Gaius demanded.

  “Adelaide, obviously.” Nolan gestured around the foyer. “Look around. This place looks like a mausoleum. Tight on funds, Hargreaves? Based on the state of this place, I’m shocked you could afford the tournament entry fee. What can you offer the daughter of Lord Alfred Belanger? Or were you hoping to seduce your way into a dowry? You have nothing a woman of Lady Belanger’s pedigree desires or needs.”

  Regulus opened and closed his mouth like he was trying to formulate a response but couldn’t. He looked to Adelaide, his eyes full of doubt and questions. Adelaide’s heart twisted. No, Regulus. Don’t believe that. She couldn’t help but note the bitter irony of Nolan accusing Regulus of using her for riches.

  “But...” Regulus’ throat bobbed. “He... Harold and—”

  “Nolan wasn’t behind the attack.” Adelaide stared at the floor.

  “I was appalled when I heard,” Nolan said. “Attacking a boy and a defenseless animal? That’s unforgivable. I hope you find out who did it.”

  Regulus stepped forward and drew back his fist. Several knights drew their swords and pointed them at Regulus. Adelaide sucked in a breath and held it as a knight placed the edge of his blade across Regulus’ neck.

  Nolan chuckled darkly. “I wouldn’t try anything, mercenary.”

  Regulus’ shoulders heaved, but he lowered his fist. A vein in his temple pulsed as he stepped back. Adelaide’s chest shuddered as she released her breath.

  Nolan brushed his lips against Adelaide’s cheek and she barely suppressed a grimace. “Frankly, we don’t owe any of you an explanation.” He looked at Regulus. “We shouldn’t linger in the house of murderers. Don’t you agree, love?” His thumb pressed into her side.

  “Agreed,” she licked her lips, “my love.”

  Regulus took a tiny step back, his lips parted, eyes pinched, posture sagging as if he could scarcely stay standing. She looked away from his anguish. Better heartbroken than dead.

  Nolan guided her toward the front entrance. “Don’t bother following us, mercenary.”

  Night had fallen. The full moon cast long shadows across the courtyard and highlighted the group of armed men bearing torches standing at the ready.

  “You there,” Nolan called to a servant walking through the courtyard, “Lady Belanger and Sir and Lady Drummond require their horses at once.” The man nodded, then changed course.

  Several saddled horses stood grazing in the courtyard. The sheriff and bailiffs headed to their horses and mounted. Nolan left her side and retrieved a bulging pouch from a brown riding horse’s saddlebag and handed it to the sheriff. Nausea grew in the pit of Adelaide’s stomach. She moved next to Minerva and Gaius.

  “What happened?” Minerva whispered. “Did he threaten you?”

  Nolan turned away from the sheriff and looked at Adelaide. She shook her head. The sheriff and the bailiffs rode out of the courtyard, and all but the two knights who had entered the hall with Nolan left with them.

  Nolan sauntered over, confident, cocky, and at-ease as always. Hatred burned her skin and coiled in her chest, making her fingers itch for a blade and magic tingle along her skin. Servants led Zephyr and the horses drawing Minerva and Gaius’ carriage into the courtyard as Nolan stopped in front of her.

  “I imagine this has been a frightening and exhausting evening.” Nolan brushed her hair over her shoulder. “It’s best you get home as soon as possible.” He looked to Gaius. “My knights and I will gladly accompany you, for safety and peace of mind.” He ran his hand down her bare arm and clasped her hand.

  Adelaide stared at the backs of the men leaving the courtyard. He had no intention of affording her an opportunity to tell Gaius and Minerva the truth. Her heart sank.

  “Oh.” Gaius cleared his throat, sounding ill at ease. “That’s not necessary.”

  “Please, I insist,” Nolan said.

  “Are you going to have a sword held to my throat if I refuse?” Gaius snapped. Adelaide tensed, squeezing Nolan’s hand in her panic.

  “Why would you refuse?” Nolan sneered. “Don’t you want me along, Adelaide?”

  She forced as much pleasantness into her voice as she could. “Of course I would like my betrothed to accompany us.”

  As they rode away, she cast one last look back at Arrano castle. I’m sorry, Regulus.

  Chapter 38

  REGULUS STARED AT THE closed front door. All his anger—at the sorcerer, at magic, at Carrick, at the sheriff—had melted away, leaving him hollow and numb. What had just happened?

  “Did you see anything?” he demanded of Dresden. “Did he hurt her?”

  “I was too focused on you.” Dresden’s look of pity grated on his nerves. “But she looked unharmed.”

  Nolan must have threatened her. There was no way she wanted to marry that villain. She couldn’t.

  Regulus stepped toward the door, his heart fracturing while Adelaide calling Nolan my love replayed in his mind. “Something’s going on.”

  Dresden blocked his path. “They have a small a
rmy. Carrick will have you killed if you try to stop them from leaving.”

  Regulus groaned and turned away. But then...there might be one blessing here. He had asked Etiros for aid, and now he had a valid barrier to bringing Adelaide to the sorcerer. Carrick would see to it he never went near her again. As much as it hurt, Regulus could let her marry that rogue if it kept her safe from the sorcerer. He ran back to his room, ignoring his men’s shouted questions. Once he had locked the door to his room, he pulled the mirror back out. He had never tried this, but why shouldn’t it work?

  “I need to talk to you.”

  Nothing.

  “It’s about the mage.”

  After a moment, the mirror shimmered, and the sorcerer appeared. “What? What is it?”

  “I can’t bring you Adelaide Belanger. She is beyond my reach.”

  “Likely story.”

  “She’s engaged to a personal enemy of mine.” He closed his eyes for a moment, the words bitter. He worked his jaw, forced himself to continue. To see the blessing in this waking nightmare. “He’s taken her, and he won’t let me near her. Who else is there?”

  “There is no one else!” the sorcerer shrieked. He took a deep breath, then spoke calmly. “She’s in no danger from me. I need her to open a door. That’s all.”

  “But there is no way for me—” He gasped as his mark burned. He wanted to claw it off, but he knew that didn’t work, so he gritted his teeth against the pain.

  “You’ve killed a dragon! You can handle some nobleman!” The pain in his arm subsided. “It’s simple. Once she helps me, I’ll remove the mark and let you both go. I’ll be gracious and give you two days to bring her to me. But if in two days I don’t have her, you will carve your friend’s heart from his chest. And I’ll kill the mage when I’m done with her.” The sorcerer disappeared.

  Regulus stared at his reflection, his mind blank. Someone knocked on his door. More by habit than by conscious decision, he crossed to the door and opened it. Dresden walked in, followed by Magnus.

  Regulus moved back, his footsteps heavy. “He wants Adelaide.”