Page 7 of Prince of Shadow and Ash

“Apparently they like venison, not just your collection of lucky rabbit feet.”

“I maintain their theft is linked to our getting trapped for two days in that ravine.”

Regulus laughed. “I maintain that link is completely circumstantial.”

“Whatever you say.” Dresden stopped petting Magnus. “Oh, almost forgot.” He pulled a crumpled letter out of his belt and handed it to Regulus.

Regulus glanced at the broken red wax seal on the parchment. A raven’s head over an axe.Drummond.“Reading my missives again, Drez?”

“Only the interesting-looking ones.” Dresden leaned back on his elbows on the door of an empty stall across from Sieger’s. “Plus, we never know how long you’ll be gone. What if it’s pressing?”

“I suppose that’s fair.” Regulus read over the letter.

Lord and Lady Drummond cordially invite you to join them on Springtide the 26th, at 6 in the evening, for a supper party to honor the visit of Lady Tamina Belanger and her daughter, Lady Adelaide Belanger.

He frowned. He hated these parties. Dresden loved them, but Drez flirted with every unmarried woman who would talk to him from the serving girls to the guests.

“Are you going?” Drez asked. “If Adelaide is as pretty as her sister, might be worth it for once.”

Regulus folded the invite and looked at Dresden. “And when have you met her sister?”

“Lady Minerva, Sir Drummond’s wife.” Dresden shrugged. “That’s why they’re visiting, because Minerva Drummond is pregnant.”

He raised a brow. “You know as much gossip as a barmaid.”

“How else am I supposed to amuse myself while you’re off fighting centaurs? So,” Dresden pressed. “You going? It’ll be good for you. Drink some wine, talk to a pretty girl.”

“Assuming I’m not called away,” he said grimly. “And only because it’s the polite thing to do. But I doubt I’ll be talking to any pretty girls.” He elbowed Drez. “You coming along?”

“Obviously. If you’re too stoic and frowny-faced to engage Lady Belanger, you can bet your immortality I will.”

“Frowny-faced? Really.”

Dresden pointed at Regulus’ face. “Exactly! Just like that.”

Regulus realized he was right and rolled his eyes. “Okay, okay. But I’m not looking for a wife—”

“Yes, you are. You’re nearly thirty, a lord with enough land and income to live comfortably, and no family. Your bachelorhood is an affront to common decency.”

“What?” Regulus blinked. Sure, Drez had hinted in the past he wanted Regulus to marry. Even as mercenaries, Dresden had sometimes tried to play matchmaker, despite Regulus’ protests. A wife was impractical for a mercenary, and he’d had no interest in casual romance.

“You need somebody other than Magnus, Reg.”

Regulus bent down and covered Magnus’ soft, floppy ears. “Hey, you’ll hurt his feelings. Besides, I have you.”

Even as he said it, he knew Drez had a point. He scratched Magnus’ head. Okay, yes, sometimes he envied his married knights. Sometimes he not only wondered what it would be like to have someone look at him the way Sarah looked at Jerrick, or to hold someone the way Perceval held Leonora, but wanted that. Sure, he wouldn’t mind having someone waiting for him at home. But he couldn’t have that. Not right now. He sighed and straightened.

“Look, maybe if things were different. But with the sorcerer—”

“To hell with the sorcerer.”

Regulus flinched. Even though the sorcerer couldn’t have overheard, Regulus almost expected the mark on his arm to start burning. Nothing happened.

Dresden cursed and shook his head. “See, this is my point! You need a distraction. You need something to get your confidence back.”

“A wife isn’t a distraction, that’s a commitment.” A commitment Etiros knew he couldn’t make while the sorcerer’s slave.

“I’m not asking you to carry the next eligible noblewoman you meet straight to a chapel.” Drez looked down and kicked at the dirt. “I’m asking you to live your life. I’m asking you to find some joy.” He looked up, his brows pinched. “You might not be free yet, but that doesn’t mean you have to live like a slave. I’m asking you to live like you’re going to be free. Because you will be. Has...he given any indication of how close you are?”

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