Page 74 of Prince of Shadow and Ash

“No.” Adelaide bit her lip. “He seemed hesitant. I nearly kissed him myself, but then, I thought...maybe he should know first.”

“Know what?” Gaius asked. Her eyes widened in alarm.

“That Father’s picky about suitors,” Min said. Adelaide relaxed.

“Truth.” Gaius laughed. “Curious, though. Hargreaves hasn’t invited anyone to Arrano castle since he arrived.”

Adelaide shrugged. “I guess you’ll see Arrano in eleven days. The third of next month.”

“What do we wear?” Minerva rubbed her stomach. “It’s not a party, but he is a lord...”

“I’m pretty sure he doesn’t care.”

“Mm, true, weareonly invited because he couldn’t invite only you.”

Adelaide rolled her eyes to hide her embarrassment.

“Did he say anything about courtship or marriage?” Minerva prodded.

“Well, no.” She pinched the sheer fabric of one of her sleeves between her fingers. “We were a little preoccupied with dancing. And talking about...everything and nothing. Sword fighting. Daggers. Food. Stories from when we were children.”

“Maybe that’s something you should talk about before the tournament ends,” Minerva said. “Might be a good idea to make sure you’re on the same page about where this is going before we go to his estate.”

Blood rushed to her face. “Are you doubting his intentions?”

“No, just...” Minerva’s expression communicated more than words. Understanding. Sympathy. Love. Protectiveness. “Regulus seems like a good man. I like him. And I won’t lie, I like the idea of you living closer.” She winked. “But anyone can put on a good act, and I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“Icantake care of myself you know.”

“I’m not talking about physical pain.” Minerva rubbed her thumb on Adelaide’s hand as they stopped in front of Adelaide’s tent. “I don’t want him to break your heart. I want to make sure you’re staying grounded.”

“Don’t worry.” Adelaide pulled her hand away and smiled. “I’m using my heartandmy head.”

“All right.” Minerva rubbed Adelaide’s arm. A comforting gesture she had picked up from Mother. “I’ll see you in the morning.” She and Gaius headed toward their tent.

Giselle held open the entrance to the tent. “Shall I help you change, my lady?”

Adelaide peered into the dark tent. How could she sleep right now? The rush she had felt when Regulus cupped her face in his hands hadn’t quite worn off. She still felt the touch of his lips on her forehead. The strength of his hands on her waist as they danced. Still saw the longing in his eyes. She’d felt pulled to him, like he was magnetic.

No, she couldn’t sleep yet. Too much energy still thrummed through her. “Actually,” she ducked inside to grab her riding cloak, “let’s go for a walk.”

As they wandered away from the tents and the accompanying fires and lanterns, Adelaide realized they should have brought a torch. But her eyes adjusted to the moonlight well enough. Giselle followed a short distance behind her, more a consideration of propriety than any kind of safety.

Away from the crowded tents, the noises of the night took over. The whisper of leaves brushing against each other. The chirping of crickets. An occasional croak of a frog or hoot of an owl. Adelaide breathed in the cool air, letting it calm her. Distant shouting jarred her out of her reverie. On instinct, she turned toward the noise. Grunts, shouts, and gasps carried through the night. Pulse rising, she drew her dagger from her boot.

“Wait right here! Understand?”

Giselle nodded, her face pale in the moonlight.

Adelaide hurried toward the sound. The voices came into focus. “...strong!”

“Kick him harder!” A man yelped, others shouted. “Stay down!” Gasps. The sound of flesh hitting flesh.

“Get off me!”

Adelaide’s breath came out in a rush.Regulus?Magic flared in her veins, a wild inferno of desperate energy under her skin. She ran past a couple trees. Several feet ahead, a group of four men leaned over a man on the ground, hitting and kicking him, while another man looked on. The man on the ground grabbed the shirt of one of the attackers and pushed him away. The assailant stumbled back, and moonlight fell on the downed man’s face.

“Regulus!” Adelaide screamed as she ran toward the group.

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