Page 21 of Prince of Shadow and Ash

“Don’t,” Adelaide whispered, her thoughts snapping to the blades hidden in her boots.My bare skin is not an invitation.

“Sorry.” He pulled his hand away, looking sheepish. “I got carried away. You’re hard to resist.”

She took an unladylike, large bite of toast she hoped would discourage further conversation, at least until the uncomfortable feeling in her stomach faded. She turned her attention to the other conversations at the table.

“The Black Knight has been spotted again,” Gaius said. “Near the eastern marshes, according to Sir Tobias.”

Adelaide swallowed her toast. “Who’s the Black Knight?”

All four men looked at her.

“Who’s the Black Knight?” Gaius lowered his fork, his raised eyebrows pinched together. “What do you mean, who’s the Black Knight?”

Lady Drummond clicked her tongue, looking uncomfortable. “Gaius, dear, this is hardly a topic of conversation for gentle young ladies.”

Baroness Carrick chuckled. “Young ladies love stories of terrifying monsters. It gives them a reason to seek comfort from a strong young knight.” Her eyes danced as she glanced between Adelaide and Nolan.

Adelaide ignored her insinuation. “So is the Black Knight a monster or a man?”

Lord Drummond tapped his fingers on the table. “The Black Knight is a legend. Nothing more.”

Gaius rolled his eyes. “He’s real, I’m sure of it. Sure, no one can prove he exists, but enough people claim to have seen him he must be real. It’s this knight dressed in all-black armor, from his helm to his greaves. Hulking armor with horns on his helm.” His voice was eager. “He’s tall as an ogre, strong as a troll, quick as a nymph and deadly as a viper. He shows up in different places, slaying monsters and killing anyone who gets in his way. It’s said he can’t be defeated.”

“Gaius thinks he’s a hero of old legend, come back to life,” Minerva said with a laugh. “Here to rid the world of monsters.”

“That’s ridiculous.” Nolan reached for his goblet. “If a hero of legend came back to life, they wouldn’t parade about looking like demon spawn.”

Gaius raised a brow. “I have a bet with Flynn Greensburg. I think the Black Knight’s a hero. Flynn thinks he’s a malicious spirit that kills for fun. Hunts down magical creatures for the thrill of the fight.”

“What of the rumors he’s told people he serves a Prince of Shadow and Ash?” the baron asked. “That hardly sounds heroic.”

“Peasants,” Gaius said with a dismissive wave. “Probably made it up.”

Adelaide placed a piece of fish on her plate. “And how will either of you win this bet?”

“If the Black Knight is real, eventually someone will see something or talk to him even.” Gaius shrugged. “Or he’ll go berserk and start killing everything and then Flynn will be right.”

Adelaide shuddered, but Baron Carrick laughed. “I think your friend has the better odds,” the baron said, “although I certainly hope he’s wrong.”

Adelaide tried to picture this hulking knight in black armor wearing a helm with horns. “Has anyone seen him in Thaera?” She shouldn’t want someone or something so menacing to be in the duchy she herself was in, but she couldn’t help her curiosity.

“Not just in Thaera Duchy, but in Etchy Barony.” The baron’s countenance darkened. “I don’t like these rumors. They make my people uneasy.”

The Drummonds lived within the Carrick’s barony. That was uncomfortably close. Nolan patted her thigh under the table. “Don’t worry. You’re perfectly safe.”

She shifted farther away from him and focused on her breakfast.Safe from the Black Knight? Or safe from you?

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THANKFULLY, THE CARRICKSleft after breakfast. Adelaide forgot all about Nolan Carrick until a messenger arrived with a letter addressed to her two days later. She worked a knife under the gryphon-stamped wax seal and eased the letter open, considering tossing it without reading. Mother and Minerva watched from across the drawing room while a small fire popped in the fireplace and cloudy afternoon sunlight angled across the wood paneled floor. A pressed navy-blue flower fell out of the letter onto her lap.

Dear Lady Adelaide Belanger,

I greatly enjoyed spending even such a brief time in your presence. I hope soon to have the opportunity to get to know you more intimately. Until then, accept this flower as a token of my regard—a dark and lovely bloom that, I fear, cannot come close to equaling your beauty.

Affectionately,

Sir Nolan Carrick

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