Page 16 of Prince of Shadow and Ash

Idiot, she thinks you’re judging her.He rushed on. “I visited Khastalland once. I loved it. So vibrant. Hot as—” He coughed, narrowly saving himself from slipping into the vulgarity he had picked up as a mercenary. “Very hot. Even the food.”

“Oh, I love Khastallander spices,” Adelaide exclaimed. “My mother brought a cook with her. She does what she can with what she can get here, but I love when she makes Khastalland recipes. My favorite is this flaky dessert pastry with chocolate that’s a little bit spicy, they call it—”

“Nalotavi,” Regulus said at the same time as Adelaide. They laughed.

“You know it?”

“Know it, it’s my favorite!” He grinned. “Sarah—that is, the wife of one of my knights—she’s a baker, and she makes excellent nalotavi for someone who has never been to Khastalland.”

“Hmm, I may have to borrow this Sarah’s services. I’d love to surprise Minerva. I’m certain she hasn’t had nalotavi since she moved here.”

“I’ll have to send you some.”Was that too forward?He shifted uncomfortably as the conversation stalled.It was too forward. Pull it together, Regulus!

“Is Sarah married to the knight who came with you? Sir—what was his name again? Sorry, I met so many people tonight.”

“Dresden Jakobs.” He chuckled. “And no, Dresden’s unmarried.”

Adelaide nodded. “Did you knight him?”

“Yes?” He hadn’t meant it to sound like a question, but he didn’t understand why she was asking.

“How long has his family been in Monparth? He’s not Monparthian by blood, is he?”

Wait, what?“No, he’s Carasian.” Why the sudden interest in Dresden’s family history? “Just his parents. Moved here from Carasom before he was born.”

“Nobles?”

“No...” Suddenly, he understood. She found Dresden attractive. Girls always found Dresden attractive. He was probably right about the beard. Regulus had to fight the impulse to touch his scar. Worse, she wanted to know if Dresden was suitable marriage material.I guess I misjudged her. Lineage matters to her.

Adelaide tilted her head to the side. “And the one who married the baker. Noble?”

His mood soured.Oh.“Most of my knights were not noble-born, Lady Belanger.”

Regulus braced himself for the inevitable look of distaste, the questions about why or casual judgment. He should just admit his bastardy and mercenary past now. Maybe she would walk away, and he wouldn’t have to see her lovely face twist into disgust.

“So it’s not empty talk.” She beamed, sounding delighted. “You don’t just say things, you do them.”

He rubbed the back of his neck, off kilter and unsure what to make of the direction of this conversation. “I’m not sure—”

“People matter more than lineages.” Adelaide nodded, like a judge making a ruling. “You believe that.”

“Of course I do.” He dropped his hand to his side, relief and surprise flooding him. “I don’t say things I don’t mean.”

Her eyes glinted, teasing and slightly dangerous. “And what do you think of me, Lord Hargreaves?” Her bronze skin took on extra color as she blushed.

“Ah...” His throat seemed to close up and heat flared over his face.I think I’d like to get to know you better.He wished he had a glass of water.What?his mind screamed.Get to know her better?His heart screamed back,yes,silencing thoughts of the sorcerer.What was the question again? What he thought of her? How was a gentleman supposed to answer a question like that?

Before he could answer, a man with perfectly combed dark blond hair stepped partly between them. Baron Carrick’s youngest, Nolan Carrick, again.

“Begging your pardon, my lady,” Carrick said, his back to Regulus. “Imustcongratulate you. I have never heard anything so beautiful in my life.”

Adelaide raised an eyebrow and glanced at Regulus. Regulus stifled a snicker, despite his irritation at the interruption.

“Please,” Carrick offered her his arm. “My parents wouldloveto speak with you.”

“Oh.” Adelaide nodded, but didn’t take his arm. “I was in the middle of a conversation with Lord Hargreaves, but I will be sure to speak with them after.”

Regulus suppressed a grin. She would rather talk to him than a baronial family? Maybe she didn’t realize Carrick was a wealthy bachelor. Or maybe—and his heart leapt at the thought—she just didn’t care.

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