Page 42 of Prince of Shadow and Ash

Chapter 15

ADELAIDE COULDN’T REMEMBERa better banquet. Not that the food itself was special. The Carricks, with their great wealth, had provided better. But the company... Regulus Hargreaves was a tantalizing mystery. A little awkward, but she found it authentic and endearing. He clearly didn’t judge her for her bloodline, nor did he seem superficially attracted to her Khastallander features. And he hadn’t tried to touch her once. She still knew precious little about Regulus, but what she knew, she liked.

As he described places he’d visited in Khastalland, sights and sounds and tastes, she studied him. He had a smile that crinkled his eyes. A deep, hearty laugh. He radiated an acceptance and understanding she found rare. Dresden grabbed Regulus’ arm, laughing as he reminded Regulus of a humorous anecdote from their travels. A simple gesture, one between friends, not lord and vassal. Their easy rapport spoke volumes about Regulus’ character and humility.

The rough, shiny scar that ran from the outside of Regulus’ right eye through the corner of his mouth to his chin gave him a roguish quality. His eyes were sharp, his movements controlled but energetic. He seemed on alert, taut, like a drawn bowstring. He felt dangerous yet not threatening, like a friendly wolf.

Perhaps his frank admission to being a mercenary, a killer, should have bothered her. But Father had found Mother while fighting a war, and bandits’ blood had stained her own weapons, so she couldn’t fault him. Everything about his earnest and quiet demeanor indicated he wasn’t a blood-thirsty savage without honor any more than her own father was.

Supper ended; servants cleared the tables. Minstrels played, the notes of the flute and lyre drifting over the sound of multiplying conversations. Minerva and Gaius wandered away. Even Dresden left with a remark about a pretty girl that made Regulus sigh and roll his eyes. But neither of them made any move to leave their chairs.

“Have you heard of this Black Knight?” Adelaide asked. “Sir Gaius told me some strange rumors.”

“Yes.” Regulus cleared his throat and worked his jaw as if the question irritated him. “I’ve heard of him. Often.”

“Do you think he’s real?”

“Yes. I’m afraid I do.”

She turned and wrapped her arm around the back of her chair. “You haven’t seen him, have you?”

“No.” He shifted in his seat. “Drez did. From a distance. Not recently.”

“Really?” Adelaide made a mental note to ask Dresden about his sighting later. “It’s said someone killed a dragon in the Singing Caves. Some are claiming the Black Knight was seen in the area. Lord Drummond says dragons don’t exist in Monparth anymore, and neither does the Black Knight. But people are selling dragon scales.” She rested her chin on the back of the chair. “What do you think?”

He went pale and closed his eyes as sweat gleamed on his forehead.

“Lord Hargreaves?” Adelaide reached for his arm, alarmed. “Are you all right?” He looked at her hand on his arm. She snatched it back.Too forward, Adelaide!

“I’m sorry.” He sighed. “I’ve fought a dragon before. It brought back some...painful memories.”

She gasped. “You...you’ve fought a dragon?” Words tumbled out of her mouth. “When? Where? How? Did you kill it? Did it breathe fire? What did it look like?”

Regulus massaged his forehead, his expression pinched.

“I’m sorry,” she blurted. “I didn’t mean to pry.”

“No, no.” He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “I can’t blame you.” He chuckled. “Even if I wasn’t prepared for so many questions on the subject from a lady.”

“Oh.” She snapped her mouth closed and angled away.

“No, I didn’t mean that negatively!” Regulus said quickly. “I appreciate that you’re interested. I just wasn’t expecting it—I have little experience talking to ladies.”

Her heart softened and she turned back toward him. “It must have been horrible. You don’t need to tell me.”

“And disappoint you?” He shook his head. “Let’s see... Yes, a real, live dragon. Not terribly long—”

“You have some nerve, Hargreaves,” Nolan’s voice interrupted at Adelaide’s shoulder. She looked up to see him glowering as if Regulus had insulted the entire Carrick line. His casual stance and crossed arms relayed a haughty and careless belief in himself, likely in his own superiority. His short, light brown hair had been perfectly combed.

“Pardon?” She looked back at Regulus, who glared at Nolan.

“Should you even be here?” Nolan asked, ignoring her. “Let alone talking with someone of Lady Belanger’s quality.”

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