Page 128 of Staff of Nightfall

“I missed you, too.”

“I’m standing right here,” Dresden complained.

“Then turn around or something,” Regulus grumbled. The dress pulled closer around her shoulders and down her torso as he finished tightening the laces. He tied off the bottom and her breath caught as his mouth brushed over the base of her neck. “Is this okay?” he whispered.

She nodded, her heart running away in the best way possible. “More than okay.” His fingers stroked the side of her neck as he pulled her hair over her back.

“Marry me, Adelaide.” He kissed her cheek and slipped his arms around her waist.

“Great,” Dresden said. “In case you’re wondering, he likes to be called Captain or My Lord when he gives orders.”

“It’s not an order, you idiot,” Regulus said with a laugh.

Adelaide turned in his arms with a chuckle and curled a strand of his hair around her finger. His clear gray eyes were the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. “I thought we already agreed?” She leaned forward to kiss him again, but Antar cleared his throat like he was trying to get the attention of an entire courtyard.

“You should, ah, finish brushing your hair. I need to get you back to the dungeon before Beale gets back.”

Regulus frowned. “What? Why?”

“Rules are rules to Beale. Rules are...bendable when Beale’s away.” Antar motioned her back into the room. “Compromise so she can look like a lady in front of the king.”

With reluctance, she left Regulus’ arms and returned to combing her hair.

“The king has asked for her?”

“And you,” Antar confirmed. “Couldn’t find you, but I figured you’d show up. I have a servant boy looking for you, though.”

Regulus reddened. “I, um...”

“Snuck out?” Antar asked.

Adelaide froze with the comb in her hair. Surely he wouldn’t have done something so reckless, not now.

“Oh, no! Drez and I maybe...kind of...practiced our swordplay in the king’s private training yard.” Regulus shrugged. “No one ever uses it.”

Adelaide held her breath. Then Antar laughed. “This is selfish of me, Hargreaves, but I hope the king keeps you two around. You keep things interesting.”

Adelaide finished combing her hair and braided it. She slipped on clean boots and tied a narrow navy cloth belt around her waist, then stepped out of the room. Antar led her back to the dungeon. Regulus accompanied them, holding her hand until they reached the guard room, at which point Antar wouldn’t let him continue.

“I’ll see you soon,mareh piahre.” Regulus ran his fingertips around the edge of her face.

“And then no more splitting up. For real this time.” She kissed his cheek and whispered in his ear. “The sooner I can call you my husband, the easier that should be.”

She left Regulus staring after her with a ridiculous boyish smile as she followed Antar back to her cell. She paced back and forth to keep herself from sitting down or leaning against the bars and soiling her dress. Finally, footsteps echoed down the hall—but it was a servant bringing food. Nervousness about seeing the king reduced her appetite, but she managed to eat most of the bread before more footsteps approached.

Beale opened the cell door and wrinkled his nose as she stepped out. “How’d you get cleaned up?”

She smiled and waved a hand. “Magic.”

He stared for a moment, then shrugged. “Come on. You’ve been called to an audience with the king.” She followed him back to the guard room. Beale selected a pair of manacles off the wall and walked toward her.

“Seriously?” Adelaide stared at the shackles.

“It’s protocol.” He grabbed her hand and closed the cold manacle around her wrist. “You’re not above the rules.” He locked the other manacle in place. The round metal bars laid heavy on her wrists. “Let’s go, Belanger.”

Regulus stood waiting outside. His face clouded as he strode toward her, eyes flashing. “Manacles, sir? Really?”

“Protocol,” grunted Beale.

---