Page 19 of Staff of Nightfall

He’d never told this story before. “Lady Arrano had sent them to kill me.”

No one made a sound, but the shock in the room was palpable. Adelaide’s hand slipped off his leg. Regulus avoided eye contact. He didn’t want their pity.

“I finally realized the truth,” he continued. “Even once knighted, that wouldn’t be my world. Dresden was my manservant, and he was my only friend. I had no idea my father wrote me into his will in the event of my half-brother dying without an heir until I inherited Arrano two years ago. At eighteen, I had no family, no home, no future.”

“I’m sorry,” Adelaide whispered.

Regulus ignored his discomfort and continued. “I joined the first mercenary troop I found. Dresden joined me. Later, I led my own troop. I strove to be as honorable as possible.” He summoned his courage and met Alfred’s inscrutable gaze. “I regret that being a mercenary affects how people see me. But I don’t regret what I did. I met good, loyal men who became my friends. I killed, but I also saved people. I am not ashamed of how I led my men.”

For several tense moments, Alfred stared back. Adelaide gave his hand a gentle squeeze. Regulus was about to offer to answer any further questions they might have about his mercenary history when Alfred spoke.

“Thank you for your honesty.” He was relieved to see kindness, not judgment, in Alfred’s eyes. “Your birth does not concern me. Your actions do. But I have one more question, and I expect an immediate answer. From you, not Adelaide.”

Regulus braced himself, trying to guess what he would ask. About his time as a mercenary? About serving the sorcerer? The worst thing he had ever done? He clenched his jaw as he flashed back to his hand squeezing Adelaide’s throat as the sorcerer controlled him. Although that was only the worst thing he’d beenforcedto do. He had made many terrible choices as a mercenary. Alfred’s gaze bored into him, like he was looking into his very soul. Regulus fought the urge to flinch under his scrutiny.

“Did you have relations with my daughter?”

Blood drained from Regulus’ face. “No! I swear it—”

“Father!” Adelaide flushed dark red.

“I respect—”

“We didn’t—”

“I wouldn’t—”

Alfred held up his hand, silencing them both. Regulus held his breath, ready to protest. “I am satisfied. Wary, as fathers always are, but satisfied. I give you my permissionandmy blessing.”

“Thank you, sir.” Regulus let the tension out of his shoulders and allowed himself to breathe again.

“Alfred,” Adelaide’s father said, “please.”

“Thank you, Alfred.” Regulus inclined his head. Lady Belanger still sat back in her chair, her lips pressed together. “Lady Belanger? Adelaide loves you. I don’t require you to approve of me.” He was accustomed to living under the weight of everyone’s disapproval. “But I do desire your blessing.”

“Mother,” Adelaide said softly. “Please.”

Lady Belanger blinked, her eyes moist. The tendons in her neck stood out and her temples pulsed as she worked her jaw before speaking in Khast.

“Oh, Mother.” Adelaide pushed off the bed. Regulus’ hand fell off her shoulder as she moved to her mother and pulled her into an embrace. She said something in Khast into Lady Belanger’s shoulder. Her mother’s hands clenched her hair as she responded. Regulus watched, unsure what to do or where to look. He seriously needed to have Adelaide teach him some Khast.

When they separated, both women had tears on their faces. Regulus looked to Alfred, more than a little terrified. But Alfred was looking at his family, his own eyes watering. Lady Belanger said something else he didn’t understand, then stood.

“Regulus.”

He moved to that side of the bed and stood. She was an inch or two shorter than Adelaide and darker, but she looked up at him with similar dark brown eyes. A few strands of silver hair stood out against her black braid. She considered him, then hugged him a little too hard and immediately stepped back.

“You better not hurt my daughter.”

“Never, my lady.”

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