Page 110 of Prince of Shadow and Ash

He traced a knot in the tabletop with his finger. “A little over two years ago, I was leading a small company of fifteen mercenaries. We were near the Tumen Forest for a contract dealing with a couple territorial gryphons. We came across this boy.” He took a breath to steady himself, the memory still fresh. “He begged us for help. Said his village was being attacked by goblins. He was destitute. Not even shoes on his feet. There would be no money in helping. But I couldn’t turn my back on him. So we followed.”

She watched him, clearly trying to understand why he was telling her this now.

“He didn’t lead us to a village; it was just a forester’s hut. He ran in, and I followed. His parents were bound and gagged inside. The boy went to help them, and I turned around as this...flash of green light nearly blinded me.”

“Green light...” Adelaide looked down at her hands and her eyes widened. “A sorcerer?”

“Yes.” He swallowed. “I couldn’t tell at first. There was a man in dark robes throwing fire and sharp projectiles that glowed green. My men were falling. Dying. I rushed him with my sword, but...” He looked at his palm, remembering. “The hilt burned in my hand and I dropped it. The sorcerer held enchanted ropes, binding my men who were still standing. They couldn’t fight or get free. The ropes curled around their throats. I went for the man with my bare hands.”

His hand trembled. Adelaide covered it with hers. Steadied him. He took a deep breath and continued.

“A blast of light knocked me back. I looked up to see my men choking to death. Dresden. Perceval.” Regulus dug his fingernails into the wood. “Estevan. Jerrick. Caleb. Even Harold, a baggage boy who barely knew how to hold a sword. So many were already dead—” His voice broke, and it took him a moment to continue. “The sorcerer gave me a choice. Watch the rest of my men die and the forester and his wife and son burn alive—or swear to serve him.”

Her mouth hung open, but she didn’t speak.

“I didn’t think, I just agreed.” His breath escaped in a shaky exhale. “He made me take an oath. I would serve him until I had repaid the life-debt for every person he didn’t kill that day. I’ve done his will ever since. He has me retrieve things. Magical plants. Ancient relics. I’ve stolen for him... Killed for him.”

Her hand slipped off his. Silence pressed against him. His chest burned. He couldn’t bring himself to look at her, to see the horror and disgust. He hid his face in his hands.I knew she wouldn’t want me if she knew the truth.

To his surprise, her fingers clasped his hands. She pulled them away from his face.

“You did what you had to in order to save the people you love.” He met her eyes and saw kindness, understanding, and sorrow. “That sounds familiar.”

If it wasn’t for what he had to say next, her understanding and acceptance would have soothed him. Comforted him. Healed him. Instead, it destroyed him.

“There’s more.” Regulus freed his hands from Adelaide’s grasp. “The sorcerer wants something different this time.” He closed his eyes. “A mage.” He wouldn’t take the coward’s path. He looked at Adelaide. Her kind, beautiful deep brown eyes narrowed. “He wants you.”

Chapter 41

“WHAT?” IT SOUNDED MORElike a gasp than an actual word. Adelaide’s pulse quickened, and she pulled her hands back as the betrayal seared straight through her. Her magic awakened in response, warming her palms. “You told a sorcerer about me? I trusted—”

“No!” Regulus held up his hands, his face pale as he shook his head. “I swear I didn’t tell him, not a word. He did something to find mages, and he found you. He needs a mage to open some kind of door.”

At least he had kept his promise to guard her secret. And it didn’t even matter. But now...would he hand her over to this sorcerer? “You’re not...you won’t...you can’t want to—”

“I don’t want to,” Regulus said, agony in his words. “But I have to.”

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