Page 51 of Prince of Shadow and Ash

“It truly doesn’t bother you?”

Regulus shrugged. “Can I be honest?”

“All right...”

“It was beautiful.”

Adelaide tripped forward and he caught her shoulders. She leaned into his side for the briefest moment, and his lungs squeezed. She steadied herself, returning her hand to the crook of his elbow. He swallowed hard. Forced himself to breathe.

“There was a rock,” she muttered.

After a moment, Regulus continued. “I saw beauty. Confident dignity in your posture. Sophistication in your movements, grace in the arc of the blades. I saw nothing unladylike. Just elegant, mesmerizing strength. You know your own capabilities, and that confidence is attractive.”

Adelaide looked at him sideways, a smile dancing at the corner of her lips. “Attractive?”

His face heated. “I...um...” Panic rose in his chest. Had it been too forward to say that?

“I suppose you called myconfidenceattractive,” Adelaide said, her voice thoughtful. “So, there’s room for debate on whetherIam attractive.”

Their eyes met. In unison, they just...stopped walking. Stood there. So close together. Her lips parted slightly, and he felt the sudden, strong urge to lean down and kiss her.

“No,” he whispered, his voice hoarse. “No debate. Not from me.”

“If we’re being honest,” she murmured, “you’re pretty good-looking yourself.”

His heart thudded. “Better without the scar, I’d imagine,” he said without thinking.

She cocked her head to the side and grinned. “I like it.”

He ran his free hand through his hair, then rubbed the pommel of his sword. His scar? She...liked it?

A woman cleared her throat in an obvious attempt at getting their attention. Adelaide reddened as they stepped back from each other and her hand slipped off his arm.

“Having a good conversation, are we?” Minerva said as she walked up to them with Dresden and Gaius. Dresden winked at Regulus. Hopefully Adelaide hadn’t noticed.

“Yes,actually,” Adelaide replied. “Ahpak, bes bahda dahlen ped, hei neah?”Regulus recognized the Khast but didn’t have any idea what she had said.

Minerva giggled and responded in Khast.

Whatever Minerva had said made Adelaide’s cheeks darken.“Kop reho!”

Thathe thought he understood. Best guess?Shut up.

Minerva held her pregnant stomach as she laughed again.

Gaius looked at Regulus with sympathy. “They do this sometimes. It’s most unfair.”

“Maybe you should learn Khast,” Dresden said.

“Minerva tried to teach me, but I fear I’m a poor student.” Gaius wrapped his arm around Minerva’s shoulders, and Regulus envied how comfortable and at ease they looked, with her shoulder tucked between his chest and arm.

“Shall we continue?” Adelaide asked, looking as if she had recovered her composure.

“Right.” Regulus nodded. “Nearly there.”

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