Prince of Shadow and Ash

by Selina R. Gonzalez

  “Carrick? Obviously.”

  “The sorcerer.” Regulus sank onto his bed, exhausted. Magnus jumped up and laid his head on his lap. He couldn’t even muster the energy to stroke Magnus’ head.

  “What? Why?”

  “He needs her magic. He says he doesn’t want to hurt her.” Regulus stared at the cold fireplace. “Bringing her will repay my debt. And if I don’t...” His gaze darted to Dresden as he shuddered. “You’re all in danger.”

  “Then what’s the problem? You know what you have to do, so let’s make a plan.”

  “I can’t!”

  “Because of Carrick?”

  “Because I love her!” Traitorous tears ran hot down Regulus’ cheeks. He wiped them away and looked down at Magnus’ large furry head in his lap. “What if the sorcerer takes her captive? What if he makes her his slave? Or—”

  “What if you don’t do it?” Dresden asked roughly. He stood across from Regulus with a forbidding expression, his arms crossed. “Best-case scenario, he sends someone else. Someone who might hurt her. Worst case—you kill us all, kill the Drummonds’ guards to get her, and take her while not yourself and covered in the blood of her family and friends. You don’t have a choice, Reg.”

  He opened and closed his mouth several times, trying to think of a response. He had considered having Dresden chain him in the cellar, where the sorcerer couldn’t make him hurt anyone. But that was assuming the sorcerer couldn’t use sorcery to lose his bonds. And didn’t account for the sorcerer sending someone else. He had killed every mage in Monparth without Regulus, he could capture one inexperienced mage without him.

  “There is the chance Adelaide can heal it,” Dresden said.

  “And if she can’t?”

  “Then nothing has changed.” They looked at each other for a long moment.

  “There is another option,” Regulus said slowly. “It wouldn’t kill me.”

  Drez paled. “No. He said he won’t hurt or kill her, and then you’ll be free. You’re so close, and it might not even work.”

  The thought turned his stomach, but it was better than hurting Adelaide. “But it—”

  “Damn it, Regulus!” Dresden punched the back of the armchair. “I’m not cutting your arm off! I’m not letting you do it, either! We discussed this! The mark came back when you cut it out; what if it just moves? You’ll have accomplished nothing but losing your arm. She’ll be okay. He’ll keep his word, just like he has so far. You’ll both be fine, you’ll be free, and you’ll be glad to have both arms.”

  Regulus opened his mouth, but Dresden pointed at him, his hand shaking.

  “You promised me. You promised.”

  Regulus nodded. Relief and guilt warred within him. Relief at solid reasons for not cutting off his arm, or worse. Guilt that he wasn’t strong enough to do whatever it took to protect Adelaide. Guilt that he had nearly broken his promise to Dresden to endure and not hurt himself again.

  “All right. I’ll start figuring out how to...” He hung his head. “How to kidnap her.”

  Chapter 39

  ADELAIDE POSITIONED herself close by the side of Minerva and Gaius’ carriage, but it didn’t take long for Nolan to move from behind the carriage and ride up next to her. He snatched the reins from her and pulled them over Zephyr’s head and out of her reach.

  “Hey—”

  “We need to talk, love.” He kicked his horse forward, leading Zephyr after him, much to Adelaide’s displeasure. Once they were well ahead of the carriage, he let the horses slow.

  “What?” She threw all her rage behind the word.

  Nolan glanced over, the moonlight casting shadows over his disapproving frown. “Now, now, let’s try to be civil—”

  “Civil!” She grabbed for the reins, but he moved them out of her reach, causing Zephyr to drift closer to his horse. She leaned back and crossed her arms as Nolan tied her reins to the pommel of his saddle. “Civil would be giving me my reins back. And civil isn’t blackmailing and threatening me into marrying you. Civil isn’t bringing false accusations against an innocent man—”

  Nolan’s snort cut her off. “Innocent? He’s a mercenary and a bastard who drove his father’s wife out of her home. Even if he didn’t plot treason, innocent is a stretch.”

  “She left because she wanted to. He’s not a mercenary anymore, and you can’t be guilty for your blood or the circumstances of your birth.”

  “Once a mercenary, always a mercenary.” He shook his head. “But I don’t want to talk about the mongrel. I want to talk about you. About us.”

  Adelaide ground her teeth. If she found a way around Nolan’s threats, there would be no us. Instead, she latched onto her irritation at his constant and unfair commenting on Regulus’ birth. “Oh, so you want to talk about the other mongrel?”

  “What?” He twisted toward her. “Oh. The half-Khastallander thing? It doesn’t bother me. You are your father’s daughter, that’s what matters.”

  “Meim apaneh mahn keh bateh hohm,” she snapped, then translated for him. “I’m my mother’s daughter. I’m Khastallander, too.”

  “Well, obviously.” He gestured at her. “But you’re still attractive, regardless.”

  Her face heated. “Regardless? Thank you, that’s so flattering.”

  Nolan reined in his horse and they stopped. “I’m trying to compliment you.” His warm, husky voice didn’t match the way his brows pulled together in annoyance. He leaned toward her and placed his hand on her hip as he moved in for a kiss. Not likely. Adelaide kicked Zephyr’s sides, and the horse bolted forward, as did Nolan’s horse.

  “Charming,” Nolan said once he’d recovered from the unexpected movement. “You’ll have to kiss me eventually, you know.”

  Heat spread to her scalp. “Insulting my appearance and heritage is a good way to make me want to avoid that.”

  “I didn’t...” He sighed heavily. “Look, I’m sorry, all right? I didn’t mean to offend you. That’s the last thing I want. You’re beautiful, end of story.”

  She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. “Anything else you would like to apologize for while you’re at it?”

  “Mmm, no?”

  “You hurt me,” Adelaide hissed, trying not to let her voice carry back to the carriage. “You threatened my family. And you tried to get Regulus killed!”

  “I was making a point.” He spoke airily, as if none of this mattered. “You healed, as I knew you would. I don’t want to hurt your family, and since you’ve agreed to marry me, that shouldn’t be a problem. As for Hargreaves, I’m sorry you were there. I’m sorry if I frightened you. And frankly, I’m sorry I let him go.”

  Adelaide opened and closed her mouth, at a loss for words. She wove her fingers into Zephyr’s mane to keep her anger—and her magic—at bay. She stared straight ahead, unwilling to so much as look at Nolan. “You didn’t frighten me, you infuriated me. And, just to make it clear, the last thing I want is to kiss someone who threatened the life of the man I actually love.”

  In a blink, his hand circled her wrist and squeezed. She tried to pull away, but he dug his fingers into the underside of her wrist. “Listen closely.” His voice was low and threatening. “You’re betrothed to me. You are going to forget about Hargreaves, or I’m going to forget about sparing his life.”

  “You’re hurting me.”

  “Good.” He pushed her arm back toward her and released his painful grip. “Now you know how I feel when you talk about him. So we’re even.”

  She massaged her wrist. If Father finds out how he treats me, he’ll cut Nolan’s head clean off. If Nolan doesn’t orchestrate an accident or something first.

  Nolan rubbed his forehead. “I’m sorry. That was uncalled for. I don’t want to have to hurt you. I love you. Just...accept me. Don’t fight me. And I’ll be kind in return.”

  Right. Because love looked like veiled threats? Love isn’t meeting a sharp tongue with a hard fist. It’s not earning kindness. That’s control and fea
r, not love. But she couldn’t risk his threats shifting from her to Minerva and Gaius, so she kept silent.

  “I don’t lose,” Nolan said, his voice low. “I’m a spare son. I’m used to fighting for what I want, even if it takes time. I had to work harder, be stronger, smarter, more charming, just...more, to get the same recognition as my brothers. If I’m not given respect, I take it. Fighting me won’t end well.”

  Adelaide slumped in her saddle. Best to appear compliant until she figured something else out. She stayed quiet the rest of the ride back to the Drummond estate. When Nolan tried to discuss wedding dates, how long it would take her to make a dress, or where they would live, she responded with single-syllable words.

  Nolan insisted on helping her dismount in the courtyard. He had returned her reins shortly before they arrived, so nothing looked amiss when Gaius and Minerva stepped out of their carriage. They watched as Nolan took her hand and guided her to the ground, but Minerva looked halfway between confused and concerned. Nolan took Adelaide’s arm and led her to the door, giving her no opportunity to speak to her sister.

  Lady Drummond opened the door just before they reached the entryway. “So, was Arrano—Sir Carrick!” Her eyebrows shot up, and she curtsied. “Why...it is a pleasure to see you. What brings you to our home?” Her gaze fell on Adelaide’s arm hooked through Nolan’s, and a smile cracked her face. Adelaide wanted to pull her arm free but didn’t dare. She needed to play the part if she didn’t want to raise Nolan’s ire.

  “Lady Drummond.” Nolan simpered. “There was a bit of confusion and a case of mistaken identity. My men and I thought we overheard Lord Hargreaves plotting against the king and accompanied the sheriff to arrest him for treason.”

  Lady Drummond gasped. “Wouldn’t surprise me in the least. I hope the scoundrel didn’t give you trouble!” She looked past them at Gaius and Minerva, worry creasing her forehead. Adelaide winced at scoundrel. Lady Drummond would believe Nolan, after all her conspiring to get them together.

  “Fortunately, we realized it was a mistake,” Nolan said, “and Hargreaves was not the man we overheard.” Adelaide clenched her jaw tighter. “Unfortunately, I didn’t realize that until after Hargreaves tried to fight fifty men and did a great deal of yelling.” Nolan patted Adelaide’s arm in a sickening gesture of comfort. “The whole ordeal was understandably upsetting to the ladies, so instead of heading straight home, I accompanied my betrothed. To help put her at ease.”

  Lady Drummond clasped her hands together and giggled. Adelaide’s stomach turned. “Betrothed? Oh, Adelaide, that’s wonderful! Congratulations!” Lady Drummond covered her heart with her hand. “I’m so glad you realized what a catch Sir Carrick is before things went any further with that strange Hargreaves. I honestly don’t know what you saw in him, with his past and the...” She traced her finger over her cheek where Regulus had his scar.

  Adelaide’s shoulders shook as she exhaled and tried to keep calm. Nolan seemed to be waiting for her to say something, and when she didn’t, he cleared his throat.

  “Yes, well. I made the offer at the tournament, but she wanted to think about it. When she saw the violent and foolhardy way Hargreaves reacted to being lawfully placed under arrest, she made her choice.” He smiled. “Right, love?”

  “Right.” She forced a smile.

  “Well, come in, come in!” Lady Drummond stepped out of the doorway and Nolan led Adelaide inside. “I hope you will stay the night, Sir Carrick. And join us for breakfast in the morning?”

  Oh, no.

  Nolan smiled. “Thank you, Lady Drummond, that would be perfect.” His gentle squeeze on her arm told her he had been counting on that invitation.

  Minerva entered after them, followed by Gaius. She regarded Nolan with narrowed eyes. “Ad, I don’t recall you mentioning Sir Carrick proposing. Surely you would have told me.”

  Nolan’s fingers dug into her arm. She swallowed and gave a noncommittal shrug. “I didn’t want someone else’s opinion to cloud my judgment. I needed time alone with my thoughts.” She met Min’s eyes and hoped she saw the apology written there—and the plea that she not continue this line of questioning.

  “It is odd.” Gaius’ hand tapped his leg as he pushed the door closed. “With all due respect, before the tournament, Adelaide was clear she wasn’t interested.”

  “And I changed her mind.” Nolan slipped his arm out of hers, looped it around her waist and drew her against his side. She desperately wanted to push him away. “I helped her understand what a smart match we make.” He ran his fingers down her cheek, making her skin crawl, and turned her face toward him. “We had our misunderstandings, but we’re on the same page now, aren’t we, love?”

  “Yes,” she whispered, stiff as a frozen tree. “Dear.”

  She realized what he was doing just before his lips met hers. Her hands curled into fists. It was a quick peck, a brief brush of his lips that didn’t even give her enough time to pull away, but enough to make her feel used and her skin itch.

  Lady Drummond tittered. “Oh, look at you blush!”

  It doesn’t mean what you think it does. “I’m quite tired after this...ordeal.” Adelaide slipped out of Nolan’s arm and headed for the stairs. “Goodnight.”

  “That was...brusque,” Gaius said as she turned up the stairs.

  “Ad, wait.” Minerva hurried after her. Adelaide paused and turned back. Nolan looked at her with warning in his eyes. For one terrifying moment as Minerva passed Nolan, Adelaide’s heart seemed to stop. Don’t you touch her. But Minerva passed Nolan without a problem and was by her side as they headed up the stairs.

  Minerva waited until they were close to Adelaide’s room before she spoke. “What’s going on? You love Regulus, don’t deny it. And I saw your fists when he kissed you. What happened?”

  Adelaide looked over her shoulder. They were alone in the hallway. Nolan wouldn’t overhear. All the same, she didn’t answer. Instead, she grabbed Min’s hand and hurried into her room. Once inside, she locked the door, then sat on her bed. Minerva sat next to her.

  “If I tell you, you have to promise not to tell another soul. Not Gaius, not Mother or Father. No one.”

  Minerva’s frown deepened. “Adelaide, what—”

  “Promise me.”

  “How can I promise that when I don’t know what’s going on?”

  Adelaide’s shoulders slumped. “Just promise, Min. Please. Or I won’t tell you.”

  “Fine.” Minerva didn’t sound happy, or convincing. But Adelaide couldn’t keep this in any longer.

  “He didn’t exactly ask me at the tournament. After I helped Regulus...” Adelaide buried her face in her hands. “Nolan figured it out. He threatened to reveal my secret if I didn’t marry him and told me to think about that. And tonight...his plan was to kill Regulus to remove him as—as a rival.” She drew in a ragged breath.

  “He said he would drop the charges against Regulus if I agreed to marry him. If I don’t marry him, he’ll have Regulus killed.” Adelaide lifted her eyes to Minerva’s horrified expression. “You can’t tell anyone! He’ll hurt...everyone. If he duels Gaius, he’ll win. He threatened to hurt you, to orchestrate a carriage accident. He threatened to have Gaius arrested, too.”

  Minerva’s hands covered the lower half of her face.

  “You can’t tell anyone. Not until I figure out a way to make sure he can’t make good on any of his threats.”

  Minerva stood, her arms wrapped over her pregnant stomach. “I...Adelaide. This is insane. How are you supposed to keep him from making good on his word? We can’t wait until you’re married to him!”

  “Keep your voice down.” She held her hands up and glanced toward the door. It would be crazy for Nolan to be on this floor. Lady Drummond wouldn’t stand for the impropriety. But Nolan was a snake. “I couldn’t let him take Regulus. He wouldn’t have lasted the night. And I couldn’t let him arrest Gaius.”

  Minerva chewed on her thumbnail. “We have to tell Father.”
<
br />   “And then what? Gaius gets attacked like Regulus’ squire, Harold? Something happens to you? I couldn’t live with myself, Min.”

  “And I can’t live with you married to someone capable of doing any of that!” Minerva sat back down and placed a hand on her arm. “Gaius is already suspicious that Nolan threatened you or something. He...” She hesitated. “Hasn’t hurt you?”

  Adelaide shrugged. “Not really.” Nothing permanent. For me. She patted Minerva’s shoulder. “Get some sleep. And tell Gaius everything is fine. Tell him I want this.” She tried to smile, but her lip quivered. “Act like everything is fine at breakfast.”

  “I don’t like it.” Minerva embraced her tightly and the tears Adelaide didn’t realize she’d been holding back threatened to spill. “I’ll play along for now. But I’m not letting you marry a man you hate.”

  “He’s handsome, at least.” Her attempt to lighten the mood didn’t help the sickened feeling in her gut. “I mean; it could be worse.” A tremor ran through her body and Minerva hugged her tighter. “I’ll be all right.”

  NOLAN AND HIS KNIGHTS joined them for breakfast. Adelaide suffered through Nolan talking about how enamored he was with her and Lord and Lady Drummond’s warm congratulations. Minerva watched with fire in her eyes as Nolan’s hand traced up and down Adelaide’s rigid back and tangled in her hair. Adelaide spoke little. Gaius didn’t make eye contact with her or Nolan.

  After breakfast, Adelaide headed to the stables. She needed some time alone to clear her head. She didn’t even ask for help, but prepared Zephyr herself. The stable gate creaked.

  “Don’t you have servants for that?” Nolan strolled in, looking as debonair as ever.

  She stiffened. “What do you want?”

  “Just checking on my lovely bride-to-be.” He flashed a toothy smile that made him look beastly. “Making sure you’re not having any...foolish ideas. I’d hate for anyone to get hurt.”

  She pulled the bridle over Zephyr’s head. “Murderer.”

  “My dear, I would never.”