Page 43 of Staff of Nightfall

“Can I speak with you?” Drez murmured.

“Actually, I was going to ask you the same.” They stepped out of the stables. Dresden opened his mouth, but Regulus cut him off. “They told me what Carrick did.” Dresden flushed crimson. “I’m sorry...” He struggled to find the right words.

“I told you I’d take a beating for you someday.” Dresden smiled sadly and winked. “I’d say we’re even, except a belt doesn’t leave the scars a whip does.”

“You never owed me.”

“And you never owed me, but you don’t listen.”

Regulus ran his fingers through his hair and rubbed the pommel of his sword, his face burning. “Are you—”

“I’m fine now, Reg. Worse was not knowing if you were alive for the last week. Not knowing if you’d ever come back. Why didn’t you send word?”

“We were... I... There was a lot...” He hung his head. “I should have thought to. I’m sorry.”

Dresden sighed. “Now you show up, tell me the man who tried to have you killed and beat me is immortal and teamed up with the sorcerer while you’re normal again, and you want to face him? I panicked.” He crossed his arms. “But I apologize. I shouldn’t have publicly challenged you.”

Regulus sighed. “But I shouldn’t—”

“No. I was wrong, and I deserved that.”

Regulus shook his head. “You’re my friend first, Drez.”

“And you’re my friend. My brother. Always.” Dresden scratched his beard. “But you’re my captain and my liege, too.” He grimaced. “We can’t be equals. No matter how much I wish otherwise.”

Regulus winced. He wanted to argue Dresden’s point about not being equals, but he couldn’t. Not when raising Dresden to the knighthood had made his best friend his vassal. Not when he’d just exercised that authority in a way that highlighted their inequalities and probably made Dresden feel like a servant again.

“But between us, I’m concerned.” Drez shifted his weight from side to side. “I don’t say this to blame you, so don’t hear that. Carrick hates you. Enough he took it out on me with his fists and a belt. He’d have used a whip if he had one.” More guilt pricked at Regulus. “He thinks he’s untouchable now he’s in league with the sorcerer. If Carrick captures the men, what do you think he’ll do to them? And you? He’ll tear you apart.”

Regulus fiddled with a strap on his gauntlet. “Which is why we won’t act until we’ve scouted out the situation and agreed on a plan.” He met Dresden’s eyes. “I won’t risk you all. The Belangers will have to wait until we have a plan that has a strong chance of success. But I have to try. I promised.”

Drez smiled wryly. “A Hargreaves promise is a powerful thing.”

Regulus sighed as the stable boys led out their horses.I just hope I haven’t made a promise I can’t keep.

Chapter 17

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