Page 62 of Prince of Shadow and Ash

Adelaide looked across the field. Nolan and Lord Thealane had started their match. Regulus watched, his brow furrowed, eyes narrowed. His mouth cocked to the right, making the skin pucker around his scar. As he observed, his arm would twitch or he would duck slightly, or he would move a foot forward or back. As if doing in miniature what he would do if he were one of the combatants. She chuckled to herself. Why was that so...endearing?

She wouldn’t say she loved him. Not yet. But like?Oh, heavens yes.Find attractive? She recalled Regulus standing in front of his tent in loose linen trousers and a thin linen shirt that hung asymmetrically on his shoulders. Her entire body grew hot.Double-yes.Even with the scar low on the side of his neck she hadn’t seen before and the faint scars on his shoulders.

No, she didn’t know if she could claim her affection toward Regulus Hargreaves of Arrano as love yet. But she could handle gossip and condescension at least long enough to find out if she loved him.

Cheers pulled her out of her thoughts and back to the field. She tore her gaze away from Regulus. Lord Thealane staggered off the field. Nolan thrust his sword into the air, looking right at her.For you, he mouthed. He bowed deeply, winking as he straightened. He sheathed his sword, put his right fist over his heart, and made another bow toward her with a simper. Before leaving the field, he blew the crowd a kiss.

Regulus and Nolan would face each other for the final victory.

Adelaide wiped sweat off her palms on her skirt.Please, Regulus. For the love of Etiros, please win.

Chapter 24

SO, HE WOULD FIGHTCarrick after all. Regulus checked Adelaide’s token on his arm. He shouldn’t be so happy about it. But it would feel good to knock Carrick down. He had hardly kept himself from drawing his sword yesterday, when Carrick kept talking over Adelaide. The egotistical lowlife. But Adelaide had a fire in her and had proven she could and would defend herself. He wouldn’t assume she wanted or needed his help. He only stepped in because Carrick started acting aggressive, and he would not abide such behavior.

Anticipation and tension hung in the air as they walked into the arena. A low monotone of whispered conversations buzzed in his ears, too far away and too quiet for him to hear specifics. Did any support him? He saw a couple noblemen shake hands, both with smug expressions. Well, people were betting on him at least. But people bet on horses, hounds, and dice, so that didn’t say much. Maybe he had changed some of their minds. Or perhaps some of them would be more open to him. Probably not. He pushed thoughts of the nobles’ acceptance away. They had never accepted him. Why would it matter now?

He found Adelaide in the crowd. Maybe it did matter now. What if the other nobles turned her against him? She smiled and winked.“I don’t much care what they think,”her voice repeated in his mind. The tension in his shoulders dissipated. In the middle of the arena he bowed to the spectators, then turned toward his opponent.

Carrick gave him a haughty smile as they shook hands. “This should be fun, mercenary. Try to last long enough you don’t completely embarrass her. I want to win, but I don’t want to make her angry. I want her to see which of us is the real man, and which is, well...whatever kind of mongrel you are.”

Regulus clenched his jaw until his teeth hurt. He smiled. “You know what, Carrick? You’re right.”

“What?”

“Thisisgoing to be fun.” With that, Regulus pulled on his helm and drew his sword.

Carrick scoffed and put on his plumed helm. He drew his sword and attacked, moving blade from scabbard to slicing toward Regulus’ chest in one fluid movement. Regulus blocked, the impact of their swords meeting jarring his bones. He shoved back on Carrick’s blade, pushing it aside. He reversed directions and aimed for Carrick’s side.

Carrick recovered and parried with no difficulty. Regulus moved for another attack from above, adjusting his stance as he watched Carrick through the slit in his visor. Carrick inched his left foot back and drew back his right shoulder. Regulus adjusted, stepping to the right and pulling his sword around to swing from the left. Carrick couldn’t change course fast enough, and he blocked just as Regulus’ sword made contact with Carrick’s shoulder. Carrick parried with surprising force, then counter-attacked. Regulus blocked or dodged each blow. He countered with a flurry of combination cuts, thrusts, and swings. Carrick fell back but blocked or parried each attack.

Sweat dripped into Regulus’ eyes and trickled down his neck. Every muscle in his body strained with energy. Sunlight glinted off of Carrick’s polished armor, making Regulus squint. Carrick blocked another cut, and Regulus grit his teeth. Some part of his brain whisperedyou could end this right now. Stop holding back. You could stop his blade with your hand and pull it right out of his grasp. He licked his dry lips, tasting salty sweat. No. He would win this fight as Regulus Hargreaves, not as the magically enhanced Black Knight.

Move. Keep moving.He stepped into another stance reflexively as Carrick parried and swung for his head.Look for weaknesses. He leaned back as Carrick’s sword rushed past within a feather’s breadth of his visor. He aimed a blow at Carrick’s arm. Carrick’s grip faltered as Regulus’ sword bounced off Carrick’s bracer. Regulus pressed his advantage, landing several blows on Carrick’s chest and shoulders.

Holding back got harder by the second. His concentration threatened to break as he tired. The rush of the combat seemed like fuel on the fire burning in his veins and muscles, demanding to be unleashed.Focus! No foolish risks.Carrick swung for his torso, and Regulus moved to block. At the last moment, Carrick adjusted, lunging around Regulus’ side. The edge of his sword sliced into the back of Regulus’ knee.

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