Page 113 of Prince of Shadow and Ash

She gazed at the broken man before her, at the hopelessness on his face. The man who had sacrificed his freedom to save the lives of his friends. The man who fought against the desires of this sorcerer, despite the pain he brought on himself. The man who won tournaments but recoiled from her touch in fear of himself. He didn’t deserve this. No one deserved this.

Adelaide pulled Regulus’ sleeve up past the mark. She thought the diamonds looked like chains as she placed her hand on it and winced. He was in pain. Because of her. Was facing a sorcerer any worse than facing Nolan? She slid her hand down and entwined her fingers in his. His gaze drifted up to her eyes, surprised.

“I see you. Your heart. Your strength. Your courage.” She cradled his face in her other hand. “And I love you.”

Regulus’ mouth trembled as his eyes searched hers, hope and fear, joy and dread warring in their silvery depths. “You...”

“I love you, Regulus.” She blinked to hold back the tears that threatened to fall as Regulus’ eyes watered.

He crumpled toward her and drew her into his arms, his forehead pressing against her shoulder. “I love you.” His arms tightened around her. “I tried not to, for your safety, but... I love you, Adelaide. Completely and utterly. I can’t begin to express how much I love you.” His shoulders shook. “I wish... I’m so sorry.”

“It’s not your fault.” She stroked his back, her throat thick with emotion. “We should go, before he hurts you again, or worse.”

Regulus pulled away, relief mixed with defeat in his expression. “You’ll come willingly?”

“Yes.” She had wanted to sound braver than that. If Regulus could be brave when a sorcerer could take control of his body at any moment and force him to hurt his friends, she could be brave, too. “I’ll do what the sorcerer wants.” Surety returned to her voice as she spoke. “We will free you. If he refuses to honor his word, we will find another way. There must be a way. And then figure out how to stop Nolan. Together.”

A smile pulled at Regulus’ mouth as his gaze filled with devotion and warmth. But then his expression fell. “There’s something else.”

What else can there be?

“The sorcerer...” His throat bobbed. “He’s The Shadow. He promised not to kill you. But you should know.”

The Shadow. Her lips parted. The threat she had hid from her entire life, the reason she was alone and didn’t understand her magic. The Shadow that hated mages enough to murder children. Her breathing went shallow. What if he didn’t keep his word?

But Regulus was in pain. He was enslaved to the evil she feared. And they didn’t have another choice. She could go willingly...or she could watch the love leave his eyes as the sorcerer took over again.

“Thank you for telling me.” Her voice barely made it past her lips. She cleared her throat. “But it doesn’t change anything. It only makes me want you free more.”

Regulus released a breath. “I don’t deserve you.” He reached for her face with his free hand, then grimaced at his bloody palm and drew it back.

“I hate to say it,” Dresden said, “but you two need to go.”

Regulus nodded glumly. “Can you wait here? I need to change.”

She nodded, and Regulus trudged upstairs. She felt drained. Too many complicated emotions. Dresden still sat at the table, watching her. She stood, and he did the same, steely gaze never leaving her.

“I’m not going to run, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

Dresden’s fingers drifted to his own bruising throat. “I wouldn’t blame you if you did.” He clasped his hands behind his back. “I like you. Truly. But I would do anything for Regulus. Including things he might not appreciate—like knocking you unconscious if you try to run.”

“I understand.” She stepped forward. “Here. I can heal those bruises.”

Dresden blinked. “I...okay. Thank you.”

She healed his bruises, mulling over the sorcerer’s words through Regulus. “The bearded one and that squire barely escaped last time.”“He attacked you. Before today.”

“Yes.” Dresden rubbed his healed neck, his eyes sad. “Me and Harold. Terrified Harold. But it broke Regulus. It’s...taken him a long time to heal.”

Adelaide looked at the shadowy stairwell, her heart aching.

“I think you’re good for him,” Dresden said quietly, drawing her attention back. “He felt he had to distance himself from us. He’s a wolf who tried to protect his own pack by leaving it, but Regulus is at his best with others, when he feels like he has a place to belong. And you bring out the best in him.”

She blushed and lowered her gaze. “He’s a good man. A better and braver man than most.”

“A good man?” Dresden’s mouth curved into a half smile. “He’s the best man I’ve ever known.”

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