Page 75 of Prince of Shadow and Ash

They all looked up, surprise on their faces, even as one of the men sent his boot into the side of Regulus’ head.

Anger rushed through her like fire. “Leave himalone!” She swung her dagger, although she wasn’t yet close enough to hit any of them. Fire erupted from her hand, traveling down the dagger and throwing an arc of flame toward Regulus’ attackers. They yelled and jumped back. Her dagger burned in her hand, and she tossed it aside. She grabbed a throwing knife out of her other boot. “Get back!”

“What was that?” one of the men demanded.

Panic clawed at her insides. “My torch. It went out.” She held up her knife as she advanced. “But I still have this knife, and I’ll throw it into the head of the next man that harms him!”

The men looked at each other. “Let’s go,” the onlooker said.

Her hand dropped as she recognized his voice. She looked over, shock replaced by fury. “Nolan?”

Nolan’s hard expression was unreadable. “We’re done here. I’ll leave you with your strong hero.” He turned and strode away, followed by the other men. Another man she hadn’t noticed walked past her and Regulus, following the others, a bow in his hands.Fool. You rushed in without checking your surroundings!Father would be ashamed.

Adelaide dropped to her knees next to Regulus and let the knife slip out of her hand. He pushed himself up.

“Stop! Wait! How badly are you hurt?” She put her hands on his shoulders, forcing him to lie on his back. That’s when she noticed the arrow in his left arm.

He grasped her hand with his right hand and sat up. Blood ran down the side of his face. “I’m fine. Honestly.”

“You’re hurt!”

Regulus lifted his right shoulder but kept his left arm still. “I’ve been worse.”

Her chest heaved as she looked him up and down. Regulus’ clothes were torn. Moonlight reflected off the blood on his face and on his arm around the arrow, and he might have additional wounds she couldn’t see. “Is anything broken?”

He winced as he shifted. “I don’t think so.” He still held her hand in his. “What are you doing out here?”

“I was going for a walk.” She pulled her right hand free and reached for his head. He gasped and jerked away when she touched his hairline. She clenched her jaw. “What happened?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“You’re hurt! And Nolan...it matters!”

“I’ll be fine.” He rubbed a circle on her hand with his thumb. “Thank you.”

“We have to tell Baron Carrick.”

“Adelaide, no.”

“What?” She looked into his eyes. “What do you mean, no?”

“It’s not worth it. I’m fine. Dresden has stitched me up plenty of times. He’ll make short work of my arm. Okay?”

She looked at the arrow embedded in his arm. How he was acting so unbothered, she didn’t know. She was about to ask if she should go find Dresden when he spoke.

“Adelaide.” Her pulse quickened. Her mind screamed an alarm at his odd tone. “I didn’t see a torch.”

Her breathing turned shaky. Blood drained from her face. Her hands felt clammy, so she pulled her hand free of his. “I...tossed it aside when it went out.” She looked toward where she had thrown her dagger. Why was she lying? Because she wasn’t used to telling the truth. Because her parents had been so afraid of the truth.I want to trust him. I should tell him...

Regulus gently pulled on her chin, turning her face back toward him. “I’ve seen something like that before. In Vanelt. A mage gifted in manipulating fire working for a circus.” There was no accusation in his voice. Just an observation. Only kindness, and a touch of sadness, showed in his eyes. The warmth in his tone calmed some of her panic.

“I...” She licked her lips, unsure how to proceed.

“It’s okay.” He cupped the side of her face in his large hand. “I won’t tell anyone. And you don’t have to talk about it. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“My parents...” She swallowed. “They worry it’s dangerous. After...”

“After The Shadow.”

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