Page 66 of Prince of Shadow and Ash

“Then we’ll be much closer to being even.” The image shimmered and reverted to a mirror.

Regulus stared at his scarred reflection. Eleven days. The mark had stopped burning. So long as he intended to obey, the mark should leave him alone. He could finish the tournament and still make it on time. He bit his cheek.“I will collect,”the sorcerer’s voice echoed in his mind. No. He wouldn’t be that selfish. He needed to leave Adelaide alone until he was free.

He locked the mirror back in the trunk and opened the flap of his tent. Dresden raised an eyebrow in a silent question. Regulus motioned him inside. Caleb continued to play his lute.

“What did he want?” Dresden sat on the small stool next to Regulus’ bed.

“Flowers. Clamshells. A pure silver circlet. The root of a magical tree in a royal forest. Oh, and the blood of an innocent person.”

Dresden gawked. “What?”

“I know.” Regulus sat down on his cot and put his head in his hands. “He’s doing something, working to accomplish some plan. He needs all of that before the next full moon, in eleven days.” He dug his fingers into his skull. “If I don’t get him the right ingredients on time, he will consider my debt unfulfilled and collect.”

“But...that would mean...”

“Yes.” Regulus laid back on the cot, his hands clammy and stomach churning.You’ll all be killed.Acid burned at his throat. “But if I do this, he said we’d be close to being even.”

“So the end is in sight.”

“But at what cost, Drez?” He sat back up and wiped his forehead with his sleeve. “I have no idea what I’m helping him do! I think...he might have designs on the throne.”

“Two years you’ve done his bidding. He’s holed up in that infernal tower. Maybe you’re wrong and he’s not dangerous.”

“Maybe.”I doubt it.He hung his head. “But I can’t refuse him. We know how that ends.”

They sat in silence for a couple minutes until Dresden suddenly sat up straighter. “Wait, eleven days?”

“Yes.”

Dresden grinned. “Then I propose you go dancing.”

“Drez—”

“Come on. It’ll cheer you right up. Get you to see some positives.”

“I can’t.” Regulus shook his head. “I was a fool. I can’t do this.”

“Do what?”

“Court Adelaide!” He yanked his sleeve up, revealing the mark. His face burned with humiliation and guilt. “I’m not the hero in a romance. I let myself forget it, but I received a cruel reminder today.”

“You said yourself, you’re getting close.” The gentleness and pity in Dresden’s eyes made Regulus more irritated. “Youwillbe free one day. Live like it. You choose who—”

“I am, yes. Right.” He shook his head. “What if he orders me to do something I can’t? What if...” His throat tightened, and he closed his eyes.

“You won’t hurt her.”

He met Dresden’s eyes. “But what if—”

“You’ll do what he wants, and he’ll set you free.” Dresden spoke slowly, his palms pressed together.

“Free or not, after everything I’ve done...” Regulus slumped. “I’m not worthy.”

“Worthy? Etiros above, Regulus. You’re a respected swordsman, a lord who can live comfortably, the best commander I’ve ever met, and the kindest, most selfless man I know.”

Regulus flinched under the praise. “But I—”

“You are on the verge of having everything you never thought you could have. You’re a lord with loyal knights. You won a contest of swords, and people cheered. Foryou. They might not all accept you, but some of them are coming around. You’ve found a chance at love.”

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