Page 76 of Prince of Shadow and Ash

She nodded, her breathing normalizing. “You don’t...” She put her hand over his on her cheek. “You aren’t afraid? Or angry I didn’t tell you?”

“What? No!” Regulus scooted closer and grimaced. “You just saved me. How could I be afraid of you? And I can’t imagine what it’s like to be, possibly, the only mage in all Monparth. You must feel so alone.” His voice held sympathy. Like he knew the burden of carrying a secret.

“I wanted to tell you,” Adelaide whispered, “but I’m so used to hiding. My parents don’t want me to use my power at all. They’re afraid.” Her words rushed out, fed by relief at no longer hiding and the need to explain herself. “Afraid The Shadow will find me if I use my magic. Or that people might try to kill me before I could hurt them. Or that others would try to use me.”

He nodded. “I can see the wisdom in hiding a truth that dangerous.”

“I’m sorry—”

“No, don’t apologize.” He rubbed his thumb over her cheekbone. “Wait.” He looked around. “Are you out here all alone?”

She gestured vaguely behind her. “I left my maid back there when I heard shouting.”

“You heard shouting, so you ran toward it?”

“It sounded like someone needed help.”

Regulus chuckled. “Brave like a tigress indeed.”

She bit her lip. “Do you think Nolan or any of his friends noticed?”

“None of them seem particularly bright. I’m sure you’re fine.” He smiled. “But you might want to try not conjuring fire if you want to keep being a mage a secret.”

“I didn’t do it on purpose!” Adelaide groaned. “It’s...sometimes difficult to control. Although I’m getting better.”Which means I can help.She straightened and scanned the shadows. “Hello? Anyone there?”

Regulus lowered his hand from her cheek. “What—”

“Shh.” She listened and watched the darkness. “Just checking. All right. I don’t think anyone is around.”

“Why—”

Adelaide held out her hand and summoned a ball of azure-tinged light. It hung in the air, illuminating Regulus’ wounds. “I can’t believe Nolan would attack you.” Literally. Her mind refused to believe what she had seen. As if there had to be another explanation. She clenched her teeth as she inspected the arrow buried in his upper arm. “Why would he do this?”

Regulus gazed at the orb, lips parted. “To send a message. To humiliate me. To prevent me from competing tomorrow. Take your pick.”

She gently parted his hair and found the cut on his head. It wasn’t as bad as expected. “You’ll compete tomorrow,” she declared. “And you’ll knock Nolan Carrick off his horse.” She held her hand over the cut. Warmth spread across her glowing palm as the blue light made the blood look purplish.

“What are you... Oh.” He relaxed, and she focused on the cut until it closed.

“That felt like...” Regulus blinked a few times. “Comforting. It eased the pain and then... The pain just left. I felt nothing.” He touched his head. “There’s not even a scar?” His voice held wonder.

“I can do more.” Adelaide blushed. “Or I’m trying, anyway. I’m teaching myself.”

“I thought you said your parents didn’t want you using your powers?”

“They don’t know.” She wrapped her hand around the protruding shaft of the arrow. “I’m sorry.” She met his eyes. “This will hurt, but only for a second.”

He nodded. “Nothing I haven’t felt before.”

Adelaide ripped the arrow out of Regulus’ arm. He groaned through clenched teeth as blood poured from the gaping hole. His muscles bulged against the sleeve. She held her hand over the wound, energy coursing through her arm and out of her hand as light shimmered from her palm. Regulus relaxed. The wound pulled together and closed. She lowered her hand and let the sphere of light go out before anyone could wander by.

“Is there pain anywhere else?”

He shook his head. “They weren’t able to do much before you scared them off.”

“Are you sure?” It felt good to use her powers. To help someone, like she had wanted to do for so long.And nothing terrible has happened.

“I’m sure.” His gaze held hers, his gray irises silvery in the moonlight.

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