Page 103 of Prince of Shadow and Ash

Regulus’ shoulders heaved, but he lowered his fist. A vein in his temple pulsed as he stepped back. Adelaide’s chest shuddered as she released her breath.

Nolan brushed his lips against Adelaide’s cheek and she barely suppressed a grimace. “Frankly, we don’t owe any of you an explanation.” He looked at Regulus. “We shouldn’t linger in the house of murderers. Don’t you agree, love?” His thumb pressed into her side.

“Agreed,” she licked her lips, “my love.”

Regulus took a tiny step back, his lips parted, eyes pinched, posture sagging as if he could scarcely stay standing. She looked away from his anguish.Better heartbroken than dead.

Nolan guided her toward the front entrance. “Don’t bother following us, mercenary.”

Night had fallen. The full moon cast long shadows across the courtyard and highlighted the group of armed men bearing torches standing at the ready.

“You there,” Nolan called to a servant walking through the courtyard, “Lady Belanger and Sir and Lady Drummond require their horses at once.” The man nodded, then changed course.

Several saddled horses stood grazing in the courtyard. The sheriff and bailiffs headed to their horses and mounted. Nolan left her side and retrieved a bulging pouch from a brown riding horse’s saddlebag and handed it to the sheriff. Nausea grew in the pit of Adelaide’s stomach. She moved next to Minerva and Gaius.

“What happened?” Minerva whispered. “Did he threaten you?”

Nolan turned away from the sheriff and looked at Adelaide. She shook her head. The sheriff and the bailiffs rode out of the courtyard, and all but the two knights who had entered the hall with Nolan left with them.

Nolan sauntered over, confident, cocky, and at-ease as always. Hatred burned her skin and coiled in her chest, making her fingers itch for a blade and magic tingle along her skin. Servants led Zephyr and the horses drawing Minerva and Gaius’ carriage into the courtyard as Nolan stopped in front of her.

“I imagine this has been a frightening and exhausting evening.” Nolan brushed her hair over her shoulder. “It’s best you get home as soon as possible.” He looked to Gaius. “My knights and I will gladly accompany you, for safety and peace of mind.” He ran his hand down her bare arm and clasped her hand.

Adelaide stared at the backs of the men leaving the courtyard. He had no intention of affording her an opportunity to tell Gaius and Minerva the truth. Her heart sank.

“Oh.” Gaius cleared his throat, sounding ill at ease. “That’s not necessary.”

“Please, I insist,” Nolan said.

“Are you going to have a sword held to my throat if I refuse?” Gaius snapped. Adelaide tensed, squeezing Nolan’s hand in her panic.

“Why would you refuse?” Nolan sneered. “Don’t you want me along, Adelaide?”

She forced as much pleasantness into her voice as she could. “Of course I would like my betrothed to accompany us.”

As they rode away, she cast one last look back at Arrano castle.I’m sorry, Regulus.

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