Page 77 of Prince of Shadow and Ash

She smiled sheepishly. “You don’t mind?”

“Mind? I think it’s wonderful. You’re wonderful.” He brushed a curl of hair behind her ear. “Mage or not.”

Her heart danced.Kiss me, damn you.

“Thank you.” Regulus’ voice lowered, becoming husky. He leaned forward. “You’re spectacular. Breathtaking. Adelaide... I...” He trailed off as his fingers tangled in her hair.

Adelaide couldn’t stand the tension anymore. She closed the space between them and kissed him. As her mouth met his, her breath seemed stolen away. Her eyes closed; her mind emptied. She started to pull away, afraid she’d been too forward, or done it wrong. But Regulus grabbed her waist and kissed her. She sank into him, breathed him in as she wrapped her arms around his neck. A spark of reckless joy ignited in her chest and she trembled. He gripped her waist firmer, pulled her closer against his muscled chest. Slowly, his mouth left hers, his quick breaths hot on her lips. She opened her eyes.

It took her a couple tries to speak. “I should go. Before Giselle panics.”And before I forget which way is back.She stood.

“Wait.” He grabbed her hand and gently pulled her back down. Her breathing hitched as he leaned forward. Regulus kissed her again, and Adelaide felt weightless and invincible all at once. He pulled away too soon, and she sighed. He chuckled.

Adelaide’s eyes flew open. “What?”

“It’s just...” He ran his thumb over the back of her hand. “You’ve bested me. You’ve won my heart.” He looked into her eyes with gentle longing, bordering on adoration. Like she was the only thing that mattered, the only person he ever wanted to look at. It was so close to the way Father looked at Mother, Adelaide’s throat caught.

She touched his face, her fingers caressing his scar. She didn’t need to think anymore. Her heart had taken over. She kissed his lips, then his scar. His hand released hers and pressed against her lower back as he kissed her, pulling her close while his other hand buried in her hair.

“Adelaide? Oh, thank Et—Hargreaves!”

She jumped at Gaius’ uncharacteristically enraged voice and broke away from Regulus’ kiss. Regulus’ hands tightened on her as his eyes snapped open, alert and battle-ready.

Adelaide looked back and saw Gaius and two of his knights running toward them, swords drawn. Shuddering light from a torch one of the knights carried spilled over her and Regulus as the men slowed. Regulus released her.

“Gaius?” She flushed as Gaius grabbed her arm and pulled her to her feet.

“Are you hurt?” He held her hand up in the torchlight. “You’re bleeding!”

“No, I’m fine—”

Gaius turned and pointed his sword at Regulus, still holding her arm. “I might just run you through if you don’t have a good explain, Lord—wait, areyoubleeding, too?”

“Gaius!” She yanked her arm free. “I’m fine, it’s Regulus’ blood!”

Regulus touched the blood on the side of his face. “It’s only a scratch.”

“And your arm, too.” Gaius lowered his sword, the anger on his face softening. “What happened?”

“Nolan Carrick and his friends attacked him.” Adelaide’s anger returned full force.

“It was just some ruffians. Probably had too much to drink,” Regulus said, holding up a hand. “I didn’t see any of their faces. And I’m fine. A couple minor scratches.”

She clenched her jaw. Nolan shouldn’t get away with it simply because his father was a baron. Anger stirred her magic, but she forced it down.

“I see.” Gaius sheathed his sword and rounded on Adelaide. “So you’re not hurt?” He looked her up and down.

“I’m fine, Gaius.”

“Actually,” Regulus stood, “she saved me. Threw a torch at the miscreants and threatened to put a throwing knife through their skulls. Speaking of,” he bent down and picked up her dropped throwing knife, the light from the torch glinting on the blade. “This is yours.”

“What are you doing here?” Adelaide asked Gaius as she returned the knife to her boot.

“Giselle came and got me. She said you went running off toward what sounded like shouting and ordered her to stay behind, but she was worried for your safety. Min’s in a panic.” He looked at Regulus, lips pursed. “And then when we arrived there was only you two, alone, in the dark, on the ground, a bit...tangled...” Adelaide’s face heated.

Regulus inclined his head. “I understand your concern. But I assure you, I would never hurt Adelaide. Or intentionally impugn her honor.”

“AndI can take care of myself, Gaius.”

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