Page 78 of Prince of Shadow and Ash

“Clearly. But even champions can be taken by surprise.” He gestured to Regulus. “You’re Minerva’s sister, so you’re my sister, too. That is both a privilege and a duty, and one that I take as seriously as protecting my wife.”

He was right, and just being kind. Even if his protectiveness grated on her nerves. “Thank you.” Adelaide smiled. “Minerva is lucky to have you.”

Gaius grinned. “I assure you it’s the other way around, but I try.” His smile vanished. “As for all...this. I think it would be best if all parties returned to their own tents immediately.”

“Yes, of course.” She looked at Regulus. “I’ll find you before the joust tomorrow?”

“I’ll be looking for you.”

Adelaide walked over to the knight with the torch. “Could I borrow that? I dropped something.” He handed her the torch, and she scanned the ground for her dagger. After a moment, she found it. It looked normal and was cool in her hand. She slid it into her boot and handed back the torch. “Shall we?”

Chapter 28

BLOOD TURNED THE WATERin the bowl pink as Regulus wrung out the cloth. He turned back toward Dresden.

“I mean, I thought about telling her.” Regulus scrubbed at the blood on his ear, looking at his reflection in the small square mirror propped against the side of the tent, its bottom edge resting on his cot. “But then she kissed me...” He sighed, remembering the taste of her lips, the feel of her body pressed against his. Nothing in his life had ever felt asrightas holding Adelaide, kissing her. “It didn’t seem like the right time.”

“How is that not the right time?” Dresden threw out his hands in annoyance. “You were sharing secrets!”

“And what was I supposed to say?” Regulus plunged the rag back into the bowl of water. “‘Oh, you’re a mage? I owe a life-debt to a sorcerer. You know, the corrupted, evil version of you? He completely owns me and runs my life and people I care about will die if I don’t do his bidding.’ In what world is that a good response to being healed or kissed by a beautiful woman?”

“That’s...okay, that’s a valid point. But this could be good. You said it yourself. The sorcerer is a corrupted mage. Maybe a mage can undo what a sorcerer did.”

Regulus rubbed the wet rag through his hair. “I wondered the same thing, that’s the only reason I told you. I promised her I wouldn’t tell anyone she’s a mage.” He smiled wryly. “But I know you can keep a secret.”

“I suppose I am something of an expert.” Dresden stroked his beard.

“But not even the others. No one.”

“I get it. But...you don’t look like you took a beating. Won’t Carrick notice?”

Regulus tossed the cloth back into the bowl. “I’ll be wearing armor. It was dark, so not as if he could have seen my injuries to even know what to look for.” He pulled off his shirt and threw it on the ground. “Well, that’s a perfectly good shirt ruined.”

Dresden crossed his arms and leaned back on the stool, using a tent pole as a backrest. “Don’t go too easy on Carrick tomorrow. The world would probably be better off if his neck snapped when he gets knocked off his horse.”

“I’m not a murderer.” He wiped dried blood off his arm. “Besides, we might not even face each other.”

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