Page 65 of Staff of Nightfall

Chapter 25

When Alfred returnedfrom his walk, he didn’t say anything about finding Adelaide on Regulus’ lap. Maybe he was too relieved she was awake. Or maybe he didn’t care. They hadn’t spoken much while Adelaide was asleep, but Regulus sensed an increased respect from Alfred that he suspected had much to do with nearly dying and Adelaide pulling him back.

Alfred hugged and kissed his daughter, although Adelaide shied away even from her father’s touch. He told her how relieved he was she was alive and how much he loved her. But he didn’t ask any questions or pressure her to talk about what had happened.

Dresden returned carrying two rabbits and several fish while Alfred was telling Adelaide how impressed he was with her magical abilities. Regulus went to help Dresden with the fire and preparing the kills. Adelaide left to relieve herself, and Alfred came and sat next to Regulus. He pulled a knife from his belt and took one of the fish.

“Did she say anything about what happened?” Alfred asked.

“Why are you asking me and not her?”

Alfred paused, his knife halfway down the trout’s belly. He scowled at the limp fish like it had threatened him. “I didn’t want to ask her questions she might not be willing or able to answer. But I thought maybe she would have told you, if she was going to talk to anyone.” He opened and closed his mouth a few times, like he wanted to say more. As he gutted the trout he said quietly, “Have you ever been captured?”

“Other than by the sorcerer? No.”

“Right.” Alfred glanced at him. “You mentioned he’d use the mark to punish you. Adelaide may not have the mark, but somehow, he tortured her.”

“What?” Dread made Regulus dizzy. “What makes you—”

“Ihavebeen captured.”

Regulus looked up in surprise. So did Dresden from the rabbit he was skinning.

“Most people don’t know.” Alfred looked around before continuing. “I was acting as King Olfan’s double.” He turned and pulled up the edge of his shirt with his pinky, the knife still in his hand. White scars crisscrossed his back and a large, knotted scar marred his side. He let the shirt fall back down. “I know what happens when you anger vengeful, powerful men.”

He returned to the fish, but Regulus stared. Alfred looked calm as ever, but now Regulus realized his strength wasn’t from never being weak. He had earned his strength through survival.

“Some things are difficult to speak aloud,” Alfred said, his voice strained. “She was smiling, but I recognized the pain and fear in her eyes. The nervous energy. The hesitation to be touched. The way she’s standing, making herself smaller. Something more happened to her than whatever caused that bruise on her cheek. Whether she healed it, or whatever Kirven did left no marks...” He shook his head. “I want to know she’s all right, but I can tell she’s not.”

Regulus caught Dresden’s eyes as Dresden tied the first rabbit over the fire. Dresden looked as shocked as he felt. Alfred was intent on cleaning the trout. But his jaw tightened, and wrinkles deepened around his eyes and across his forehead.

Regulus focused on scaling his own fish. He should have known. He thought only Carrick had hurt her. That the sorcerer could torture someone who didn’t bear his mark hadn’t occurred to him. And who would torture a woman? After everything else the sorcerer had done, he shouldn’t be surprised. But he was still furious. He squeezed the fish and a scale sliced into his palm. He winced and held his hand up to inspect the cut, but the pain vanished as it closed in front of his eyes. As if by magic.

“When they realized you were just a lord...” Dresden started, pulling Regulus’ focus back to Alfred’s story. “Why didn’t...” He shook his head and started on the second rabbit.

“Why didn’t they kill me?” Alfred asked without looking up. “They still hoped for a ransom. I escaped by pure luck and some sheer stupidity on my captors’ part. But I would have been caught again if it hadn’t been for Tamina.”

What?Alfred set aside the cleaned fish and grabbed another. His worried features had softened, a hint of a smile pulling at the corner of his mouth. But Regulus saw Adelaide returning, so he dropped his questions and returned to preparing the fish.

Adelaide sat on the opposite side of the fire. Whether because she didn’t want to watch them gut the fish and rabbits or because she wanted space, Regulus wasn’t sure. She’d healed the bruise on her cheek, and he wondered if her magic had hidden anything else. Or if, like when the sorcerer tortured him, she had nothing to show for her suffering.

“Adelaide?” Dresden looked up from the rabbit. “Thank you. For saving Regulus.” Adelaide nodded, and he tied the second rabbit over the fire, looking uncomfortable. “So. Fiery wings, huh?”

“Fiery wings?” Adelaide frowned and shook her head. “Did I miss something?”

“Wait, you’re saying that wasn’t on purpose?” Drez whistled. “I don’t know if that’s better or worse. Either way, it was terrifying.”

“Who, me?” Adelaide looked to Regulus, her face drawn and anxious. “What did I do?”

“Ad, you...” Alfred added his fish to the stone. “When you got up...”

“You went all avenging angel,” Drez said, settling back on the grass. “With these huge wings of fire at your back and a flaming sword and everything.”

---