Page 41 of Prince of Shadow and Ash

“I offered to let them stay at Arrano, even after they challenged me, and I won against their champion.” He couldn’t take her unwavering regard any longer and traced his forefinger over the vine pattern in the tablecloth. “I hoped my father’s wife might forgive me, but...” He shrugged. “She always hated me.”She wanted me dead.“So they left. Wouldn’t accept any help from me. I don’t even know if they made it to Craigailte as they had planned.”

Adelaide’s fork rested on her plate with the same bite of food as she listened.

“I was a mercenary, but I believe in honor.” He met her eyes. “I may be a killer, but I’m not a murderer.”Not by choice, at least.“That’s what I’d want you to know. To believe.”

“Oh, Lord Hargreaves.” Her sad smile made him feel uncomfortably vulnerable. “I’m sorry about the vampire comment. I didn’t mean...I never believed you killed them.” They looked at each other for a long moment. She picked her fork back up.

“Well,” Dresden said. “The prize for terrible supper conversation goes to Regulus bringing up murder.”

Adelaide laughed, and Regulus’ stomach unknotted enough for him to continue eating.

“Don’t think you get out of sharing, Dresden,” Adelaide said as she picked up her goblet. “What should I know about you?”

“Oh.” Dresden shifted. “I fight with scimitars. I’m Carasian, although I grew up in Monparth, so I consider myself Monparthian. And... I am drawing a blank on things that are both interesting and appropriate to say.”

Regulus snorted. “I wish I was surprised.”

“All right, then...” Adelaide chuckled. “So you moved here with your family? I’d love to hear about them.”

A burning coal settled in Regulus' stomach. He opened his mouth to shift the conversation, but Dresden answered, his tone casual.

“My parents moved before I was born, but I left my family to join a nobles’ household when I was very young. Not far—a day’s travel. Apparently, that was still too far to visit. I didn’t really blame them, but I couldn’t leave.” Drez shrugged.

Regulus hoped his guilt wasn’t written all over his face. His childhood guardian didn’t let him or Dresden wander that far, but it still felt like Dresden’s estrangement from his family was Regulus’ fault. And the careful way Dresden chose his words, telling the truth while hiding he had left his impoverished family to be Regulus’ servant, just reminded Regulus how much he was hiding from Adelaide.

“You don’t talk to someone for years, they become strangers.” Drez prodded the carrots on his plate. “By the time rejoining them was an option, I doubt they would have recognized me. It was easier not to go back. So Regulus got stuck with me.” He clapped his hand on Regulus’ shoulder and grinned. “We were a couple hot-headed boys without close family, so we became mercenaries and traveled the world.”

Adelaide’s soft eyes looked between Regulus and Dresden, compassionate, but also curious. “I’m glad you two found each other.”

“Wait.” Dresden sat up straighter. “I’ve got it. I dislike rules.”

“Really?” Sarcasm dripped from Adelaide’s voice. “I never would have guessed, sir bribed-the-servant.” Regulus flushed.

Dresden choked. “I never said—”

“Persuaded? Mm-hm.” She lifted a brow, a poorly suppressed smile twisting her lips. “Was it worth it?”

“You tell me,” Drez said. If Regulus didn’t know better, he would have called his tone flirtatious.

Adelaide cocked her head, her gaze flicking from Dresden to Regulus. Regulus’ heart about stopped. He swore her cheeks pinkened. “I’m glad you dislike rules.”

The conversation turned to less personal matters—hobbies and interests and likes and dislikes. As they ate and chatted, Regulus’ nervousness abated. For the first time in his life, he didn’t feel out of place among the nobles, didn’t feel like an unwanted intruder. He felt like he belonged.

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