Page 79 of Prince of Shadow and Ash

“If he’s as good with a lance as he is with a polearm and a sword, you probably will.”

“I don’t think it’s about the tournament for him.” Regulus pulled on a linen undershirt. “It’s about Adelaide. He thinks he can win her over if he defeats me. He’s fixated. Maybe I should let him win. If he wins and realizes Adelaidestilldoesn’t want him, maybe he’ll find a new obsession.”

Dresden frowned. “Didn’t you say shetoldyou to beat him? To ‘throw him off his horse?’”

“She was angry.”

“And you’re not?”

“Of course I’m angry!” Regulus sat on his cot. “But it drew Adelaide and I closer together, so it worked out. Carrick is just a spoiled noble brat. I’ve dealt with his ilk all my life.”

“Sure, but the last time someone tried to murder you, we became mercenaries.”

“That was different. And he didn’t try to murder me.” Regulus kicked off his boots. “I probably should let him win. But you know as well as I do, I can’t. It’s not who I am.”

“Thank Etiros.” Dresden stood and stretched. “I was worried falling in love had addled your brain.” He exited the tent.

Regulus laid back. Yes, he had a growing hatred for Carrick. But right now, all he could think about was Adelaide. How beautiful and brave and kind she was. Her kiss. Why dwell on hate when he had so much to love?

Chapter 29

“PARDON ME.” ADELAIDEdarted between a page leading an enormous gray destrier and a knight decked in full heavy jousting armor. Dresden waved to her across the chaos of knights, attendants, and horses. A squire ran past with a panicked expression, his shouted “sorry, my lady!” muffled in the rattle of armor and stomp of hooves. A white horse lowered its head, and she spotted the back of Regulus’ head, his black locks curling near his neck. She dodged the end of a lance as a page walked by.

Regulus turned as she approached, his face wrinkling into a wide smile. “Good morning, Adelaide.”

“Good morning.” She held out a strip of dark green cloth that matched her sleeveless dress. The sleeveless style wasn’t fashionable, but her skin welcomed the warm sunlight and the cooling gentle breeze. Honestly, as pale as some of these Monparthian women were, they could stand to ditch sleeves on occasion.

Regulus took the cloth, letting his fingers slip over her hand and down to the fabric. “You look beautiful.”

Adelaide took in his armor, bulkier and thicker than yesterday’s sword-fighting armor. “You look handsome and heroic.”

His face contorted in a grimace but returned to a pleased smile before she could even blink. “I’ll look for you in the stands.”

“You better. Try not to break anything other than your lance.”

“Here I thought the lady visited her knight before a joust to wish him luck.”

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