Page 80 of Staff of Nightfall

She knelt, and the king stood and drew the dragon sword. Adelaide’s hands shook at her sides. Regulus reached for his own sword, but his scabbard hung empty and useless at his side. He stepped forward. Alfred stopped him with an arm against his chest. He looked at Alfred, panic clawing at his heart. Alfred shook his head, but his features were drawn and afraid.

“Lady Adelaide Belanger, as your king, we request that you join our personal guard,” King Gawain said solemnly. “We ask that you live and die to protect us. Do you agree?”

Wait, what!Regulus’ mouth fell open.

Adelaide looked up at the king. “I...”

“Your king requests it,” the king repeated with a stern expression. “Will you heed our call?” With a sinking feeling, Regulus understood. It was not a request.

“Yes, Your Excellency.” Adelaide’s voice quivered.

The king nodded. “Very good. Please repeat these words. I, Adelaide Belanger.”

“I, Adelaide Belanger.”

Regulus wanted to intervene. To pull Adelaide to her feet and tell the king he couldn’t force her into his service. But to do so would be treason. His hands fisted. The king continued, Adelaide repeating each line.

“Swear to uphold the laws of Monparth, and to serve my king and the royal family. My will and aim are now and forevermore to serve and protect the king.”

Adelaide swallowed, stumbling over the words.

An ache settled behind Regulus’ forehead. He was going to lose her. What if the king wouldn’t permit them to marry? What if he couldn’t even see her?

“I swear before the king, before Etiros, and before those gathered here,” the king continued, Adelaide repeating. “That I will give my life and death to protect the king of Monparth.”

Her shoulders dipped as she repeated the oath.

“Until my death or the king’s word release me.”

“Until...” Adelaide took a shaky breath and Regulus’ heart snapped in half. “Until my death or the king’s word release me.”

King Gawain raised the sword. Only now did Regulus notice the gold script running down the length of the blade, but he couldn’t make out the words. The king touched the sword to Adelaide’s shoulder. “We hold you to your vow, Lady Adelaide Belanger, member of the royal guard and shield to the king.” He sheathed the sword and let it fall against the side of the throne. “Arise, Lady Belanger.”

Adelaide stood and moved back. She glanced toward Regulus and Alfred, her eyes big as a frightened deer’s. This wasn’t how this was supposed to go.

The king looked to Alfred as he sat back down. “Thank you, Alfred.” Then he looked at Regulus. “Lord Hargreaves. You spent two years in Kirven’s service. Any information you can give is desired.”

Regulus had to clear his throat before speaking. Anger at the king’s selfishness flared hot on his skin. King Gawain hadn’t given Adelaide any more of a choice in serving him than Kirven had given Regulus. “He was secretive and told me only what was necessary to fulfill his commands.”

“Why for two years?” The king strummed his fingers against the arm of his chair. “You said you served him to save your men. Did he capture them?”

“No...well, yes. He threatened their lives but released them when I agreed to serve him.”

“And you continued to serve him because...”

Because, like you, he puts people in agreements they can’t get out of.“He put a mark on my arm that bound me to him. It caused me great pain if I did not obey. And he could use it to control me. To force me to hurt my men. After he received the last piece of the staff, he released me for payment of the life-debt he claimed I owed him.”

“A mark?” The king leaned forward, curiosity in his expression. “Where? Show us.”

Regulus shook his head. “It disappeared when he released me, Your Excellency.”

“Hm. So no proof, then. Your story seems questionable. We wonder if we can trust you, Lord Hargreaves.”

Alfred answered first. “I assure you, Your Excellency, he is honest and loyal.”

“I have the scars to prove mystory, Your Excellency.” Regulus hesitated. According to the laws of Monparth, he owed the king his allegiance and thus his complete cooperation and honesty. Even if he didn’t believe he owed this self-absorbed monarch anything. “And...I have another mark. One put there by Adelaide’s magic. It is different, but—”

“Show us.”

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