Page 31 of Prince of Shadow and Ash

“You’re uncomfortable? I don’t want to know what rumors they’ll spread about me now.” She slouched on the bed next to Minerva.

“Are you sure you’re fine?” Minerva stroked Adelaide’s hair. “You know you can tell me anything, right?”

“I know.”Do I?They sat in silence until Adelaide couldn’t take it anymore. “I found a book on magic in Lord Drummond’s library.”

Minerva’s hand froze on Adelaide’s back. “Ad...”

“I know, I know. But...it’s been twenty-three years. Surely it’s safe by now.”

“You don’t know that. You can’t know that.”

“If someone was still hunting mages, why didn’t they find me as a child?” Adelaide stood. “Do you have any idea how difficult it is to keep this power inside me? It’s this constant pressure, begging for release.”

Minerva dropped her gaze. “Ad—”

“Just...look.” Adelaide formed a dagger. The blue light of the blade cast odd shadows on Minerva’s face as she held the magic weapon out to her sister.

“Oh,” Minerva whispered, her eyes wide and jaw slack. She reached out and brushed her fingers against the hilt. “It’s...solid. That’s...” She shook her head. “Youhavedaggers, Adelaide.”

“But what if sometime I don’t? And what else could I do? I can help people!”

“With a dagger?”

Adelaide groaned. “All right, look. Mother panicked when she caught me doing this, so I’ve never told you I can. But watch. And don’t panic.” She drew the blade of her magic dagger across her palm and winced from the sharp pain.

“Adelaide!” Minerva gasped.

“It’s all right!” Adelaide vanished the blade and healed her hand. A comforting numb sensation spread over the cut, and the skin pulled back together. The blue glow of her palm illuminated Minerva’s horrified expression. The light dimmed, and Adelaide rinsed her hand in the water bowl on the dresser. She turned back to Minerva. “See?”

Minerva grabbed her hand and ran her fingers over the smooth skin. “It’s...like it never happened,” she breathed.

“Exactly!” Adelaide smiled broadly, excitement making her heart race. “Mother and Father want to keep me safe; Iknowthat. But...isn’t magic a gift? It’s a natural part of the world. The priests say Etiros imbued all living things with magic. Isn’t it a source of goodness Etiros gave me access to for a reason?”

Minerva’s sad eyes filled with pity. “And what about all those mages who died? What good did their gift do them?”

“Just because they died doesn’t mean they had done nothing good with their magic before that,” Adelaide countered.

“Ad...” Minerva massaged her forehead. “I can’t stop you. And I won’t try. But I don’t want to lose you, either. And what if it’s not only your own life you put in danger?” She rubbed her growing belly protectively.

Adelaide’s posture fell. Maybe her sister was right. But maybe she wasn’t. “I’ll be careful.”

“Thank you.” Minerva held out her hand, and Adelaide helped her stand. “Get some rest. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

In the morning, Adelaide faked illness as an excuse to avoid breakfast. Gaius and Minerva stole a few indulgently sweet fruit-filled pastries, which Adelaide devoured as she waited for their carriage in the bustling courtyard. She spied Nolan wandering the chaos of departing guests as if searching for someone. Their carriage pulled around, and she rushed inside. Relief filled her when Carrick castle faded from sight.

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