Page 90 of Staff of Nightfall

Regulus glanced at Breck. “What. Happened.”

“Both of you, on your knees!” The guards in the courtyard stared.

Adelaide cursed in Khast and lowered onto her knees in the dirt. Regulus did the same beside her, but his anger built alongside her own

“I don’t know what just happened.” Breck stopped in front of them, his face red and lips pulled back in a snarl. “But the punishment for attacking a ranking officer is twenty lashes.”

“What?” Regulus gripped her hand so hard it hurt.

“Someone bring me the whip!” Breck shouted. “Before I decide to flog each and every one of you dawdlers!” He sneered. “Policy is bare-backed.”

“I’ll take her punishment, sir.” Regulus’ rage and panic mingled with her fear.

“Not the way it works.” Breck cocked his head. “But you can get some lashes, too, if it will make you feel better.”

“Sir, please.” Regulus bowed his head. “Give me as many lashes as you want. She...she can watch. But—”

“But nothing!” Breck glowered down his nose at her. “She attacked me; she’ll be stripped and lashed.”

Adelaide’s chest heaved. She was not about to be stripped in the middle of a courtyard full of men. She didn’t deserve any lashes, and Regulus definitely didn’t. Not to mention she would feel both whippings. “You wanted to know a secret, sir?”

Her fury overpowered her dread, leaving a reckless storm in her chest. Maybe Mother and Regulus were right. Maybe she was ashiraa.She didn’t even care if she was breaking Captain Russell’s order to keep her magic secret.

“You wanted to know why the king wanted me in the royal guard?” She smiled.Let the tigress play.“Be careful what you wish for, sir.”

She let go of Regulus’ hand and stood, taking a few steps away. Breck watched in confusion and outrage. She had no idea if this would work, but if she had done it before subconsciously, she could choose to do it—right? The familiar magical warmth spread across her palms against her dress.Come on. Fire and flames.Adelaide pictured what she wanted, and heat flared at her back.

“Oh...” Breck cursed and stepped back. Shouts and whispers echoed across the courtyard. She glanced to the side and smiled when she saw red and orange flames fanning out in the shape of a massive wing.

“Any other questions, Lieutenant?” She summoned a sword of magic light in her right hand, just for the fun of it.

“What are you?” Breck took another step backward.

“I’m a mage.” Satisfied that Breck looked sufficiently terrified, Adelaide let the wings and sword vanish. Silence filled the courtyard. Regulus stood, and they headed toward the gate, every royal guard within the wall watching them, unmoving. But the men’s stares didn’t make her feel small anymore.

“You think you get a pass because you’re a mage?” Breck said, snapping out of his stupor. “You still swore an oath! You still have to obey me!”

She cast him a cold glare. “Take it up with His Excellency.”

“I’m still your commanding officer!”

At that moment, Lieutenant Antar strolled in from the entrance to the courtyard. “What’s going on here?”

“Belanger disobeyed a direct order, assaulted me, and is trying to avoid punishment.” Breck sounded manic.

“Sir,” Adelaide tried and failed to keep her anger out of her voice, “Lieutenant Breck assaultedmeand I defended myself. He ordered me to kiss him, and I did not comply. I will not be accepting a punishment I do not deserve.”

Regulus made a disgusted sound in his throat and started to turn around, but she grabbed his hand and stopped him. She had already defended herself. He didn’t need to further stoke Breck’s rage and get them in more trouble.

“Huh.” Antar looked at her, clearly impressed, then looked at Breck. “What do you mean, she assaulted you? You’re at least twice as strong as she is.”

“She’s a filthy mage!”

Antar raised his brows. “A...what? No, no, wait. That makes so much more sense.” He shook his head and chuckled. “Did you actually order her to kiss you?”

Breck opened and closed his mouth. “She was being insubordinate and insulting.”

“Breck, you’re a disgrace.” Antar nodded at her and continued across the courtyard. “Have a good day, Belanger. Hargreaves.”

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