Page 7 of Staff of Nightfall

“That’s not your concern at this moment.”

“With all due respect, it’s myonlyconcern at this moment.” Regulus glanced behind him at the door. “I need to know she’s safe. Where’s Carrick?”

“Are you implying Sir Carrick is a threat to my daughter’s safety?”

“No, my lord. I’m telling you plainly that he is.” Regulus crossed his arms. “I swear I will tell you the full truth. I promised Adelaide I would. But not until I know she is safe.”

Belanger frowned, his gaze cold as steel. “You dare insult me by suggesting my daughter is not safe in my own home?” Before Regulus could answer, the door banged open.

“Oh, thank Etiros!” Adelaide ran in, still limping, followed by her mother. She hugged Regulus, her damp hair smelling of lavender. “I couldn’t sit still for fear of Carrick and you running across each other alone. And I wanted—”

“Adelaide!” Lady Belanger’s voice held both warning and disapproval, and her accent thickened. “I told you, your father wishes to speak to Lord Hargreaves alone.”

Adelaide laced her fingers between Regulus’ and turned to face her father. Her shoulder pressed against his. “I’m not leaving him to face Father alone.” She smiled up at Regulus and some of the tension in his shoulders eased. He smiled back. She looked at her father. “And I’m not being apart from him while Nolan Carrick is here. Where is he?”

“If he’s where I sent him, waiting in his guest room.” Belanger tapped his foot, his frown deepening. “Why?” He gestured toward them. “Why do you throw yourself at this man you claim is your betrothed, then ask about another man who tells meheis your betrothed? Why do you both seem to think Carrick a threat?” Belanger’s voice rose to a shout. “And why does everyone think you can be betrothed when I haven’t agreed to anything?”

Regulus squeezed Adelaide’s hand, hoping she sensed his support for whatever she chose to say. He wanted to defend her. But honestly, he had no idea where to start. And Belanger seemed distrustful of him already.

“I’m not throwing myself at anyone,” Adelaide said, her tone irritated. “And I love Regulus.” She squeezed his hand in return. His spirit gave a little leap of joy, and he couldn’t stop his grin. Belanger squinted at him, lips pursed.

“Nolan was trying to court me,” Adelaide continued. “He needs to marry, or his parents will disown him.” Regulus raised his brows. She had left out that detail, but things suddenly made more sense. “Technically, Ididagree to marry him—”

“You shouldn’t be agreeing to marry anyone without consulting your mother and me, and you’ve promised yourself to two men?” Belanger sounded equal parts bewildered and furious. “I would never have expected such dishonorable—”

“Nolan was threatening to have Regulus arrested and hanged for treason against the king!” Adelaide’s shoulder rubbed against his as she took a deep breath. “Among other threats. He threatened and blackmailed me into an engagement.”

Belanger’s jaw went slack. He took a few steps to a nearby armchair and leaned against its back as his face turned ashen. “Did he hurt you?”

“No—well...I’m fine.”

Sensing her hesitation, Regulus looked down at her with a frown. She shuffled her feet, a look of indecision reflected in her brown eyes. Hot rage flamed over his skin.

“You didn’t tell me he hurt you.”

She fiddled with her hair. “It was nothing.”

“Did he hurt you or not?” Belanger asked softly.

“I...” She licked her lips. “Fine, yes.”

“What? When?” Regulus shifted to see her face better. “That night at Arrano?”

“No.” She didn’t meet his eyes. “After the tournament. The morning after Harold and Sieger. I shouldn’t have wandered so far off; been so secluded.”

Regulus clenched his free hand. “As if being alone excuses him?”

“Well, no—”

“What. Did. He. Do.” His chest heaved with each word.When I see Carrick next...

Adelaide kept her gaze on the floor. “He threatened to reveal I was a mage if I didn’t marry him. I told him to tell whoever he wanted. He got too close and I drew my dagger. I nicked his cheek, but he was too quick. Too strong. He broke my wrist and took my—” she glanced up at him apologetically, “your dagger.”

Regulus worked his jaw. So that was the real reason Carrick had the dagger Regulus had won in the joust and given to Adelaide as a courtship gift. Carrick had realized she could heal her wrist so he could get away with hurting her. And that monster was somewhere in this castle. Worse than Regulus’ anger was his guilt. She had agreed to marry Nolan, knowing if he had hurt her once, he might again. All to save his pathetic life.

“I was going to tell you. After dinner. But then he was there, and after he agreed to leave you alone if I married him, I couldn’t...” Adelaide gripped her skirt and stared at the floor. “He told me there would be consequences for not agreeing to marry him. I didn’t think he would move so quickly. If I hadn’t been there...”

“He’d have killed me,” Regulus finished. “Or tried, anyway.”

---