Page 88 of Prince of Shadow and Ash

Harold sat up and pulled his shirt down. “How did youdothat?”

“You’re...you’re...” Gaius sputtered.

“A mage, yes.” She tilted her head, studying Harold’s face. “Close your eyes.”

He did, and she placed her palm over his nose. She heard the bone snap into place as his nose straightened. Harold jumped, but didn’t whimper or open his eyes. The bruise over his eye turned yellow then disappeared, and she dropped her hand. “You can open them now.”

Harold opened his eyes and touched his nose. “Thank you, my lady. I...I can never repay you.”

“A good start is keeping her secret,” Regulus said. Harold nodded.

Adelaide stood. “Sieger?”

Regulus clapped Harold on the shoulder and met his eyes. Something unspoken passed between them, and Regulus wrapped one arm around the squire’s shoulders in a quick embrace. Regulus’ eyes glistened as he stood. “Sieger’s this way.”

“Um,” Gaius said. “I have questions—”

She nodded. “Later.”

Regulus led her outside, and Gaius followed. The knights, standing around the fire, watched them duck inside another tent with curious expressions. The sharp scent of sweat and blood mixed with dirt stung Adelaide’s nostrils. A lantern hung from the tent poles. The tent was otherwise empty, except for Sieger.

Sieger laid on his side, foam around his mouth as he panted. Blood seeped through the bandages around his lower legs and into the ground. He tried to get up as Regulus entered. The stallion released a neigh that sounded like a scream and flopped back onto his side. Regulus paled to the same whiteness as his scar.

“Oh, Sieger.” Adelaide sat on the ground as her throat constricted. “He’s lost a lot of blood,” she murmured.

“I know.” She barely heard Regulus’ response.

“I think I can heal the cuts, but I don’t know if that will be enough.” She didn’t look up as he sat next to her.

“I won’t blame you if...” He trailed off, and from the tension in his voice, she knew he couldn’t bring himself to say it.

She unwrapped a bandage and gasped. The cut exposed bone. She closed her eyes and reached for Regulus with her left hand. He took her hand. She held her right hand over the uncovered wound. The flesh pulled, moving back together, covering the blood and bone. Even after she sensed that the wound was closed, she kept going, praying it would help counteract the blood loss. She did the same for the other three cuts. When she had finished, she felt drained, as tired as if she had run a great distance. She leaned back into Regulus’ shoulder. A wave of dizziness made her sway.

Regulus wrapped an arm around her. “Hey, easy. Are you okay?”

“Just tired.” She wiped sweat from her brow. “I’ve never used that much magic before.”

Sieger raised his head. He pulled his legs under himself and nuzzled Regulus’ head, playing with his hair with his lips. Regulus laughed. Sieger lowered his head, lying on his stomach with his legs tucked under him.

“He must be tired from the stress and loss of blood,” Adelaide mused.

“But he seems better.” Regulus sounded considerably calmer. “I feel like he’s going to be okay.”

“I hope you’re right.”

They sat there for a moment in silence, the fingers of her left hand entwined with his and his arm wrapped around her shoulders. She liked it. The press of his muscular body, the gentle movement of his chest, the way he held her shoulders like he couldn’t bear to let her go. She laid her head on his shoulder.

Gaius cleared his throat and Adelaide blushed. He still stood behind them. She’d forgotten he was there. “Can I ask my questionsnow?”

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