Page 124 of Staff of Nightfall

He chuckled. “They’ll probably be shocked enough when you marry me.”

Her gaze roamed over his face, and her expression saddened as she touched his scarred cheek. “I’m sorry they hurt you. But—maybe this is selfish of me... I’m glad my magic didn’t erase your scar.” She smiled. “It’s a reminder. Scars mean we survived.”

“I could kiss you for that.”

“Then why don’t you?” Her eyes danced, even though she looked exhausted.

He leaned forward to kiss her but glimpsed the sorcerer’s severed head behind her. He grimaced. “The corpses are kind of killing the mood.”

“Eugh.” Adelaide winced. “We should probably get back to the palace, anyway. Let them know Kirven’s dead.”

“Agreed. I hope whoever’s in charge lets you sleep before they start in with all the questioning.” He picked up the sword and headed for Carrick’s body.

“What are you doing?”

He looked over his shoulder. “We’ll need to bring the heads back to the palace as proof of death. And then at least the king can display them if he wants.”

Adelaide blanched. Her revulsion made his stomach twist. He lowered the point of the sword to the ground and turned toward her.

“Ad...”

“No, you’re right.” She still looked uncomfortable.

“Did you not realize this is what a mercenary did?” he blurted before he thought better of it. An irrational fear screamed in his mind as he watched her pinched expression. The fear she wouldn’t want this side of him. He shouldn’t make it worse, but cruel, taunting doubt pushed the words past his tongue. “I’m a killer, Adelaide, I’ve never pretended I’m not. Not to mention a bastard and social pariah. You’re so worried you’re not good enough, when I’m the one who can’t ever deserve you.”

Her face went stony. She stomped toward him. “Regulus, if you say anything like that ever again...” She clenched her fists, looking like she wanted to punch him. “Iloveyou. And I’m too hungry and tired to tell you why you’re amazing. So just...stop!”

“Okay.” Regulus laughed.Etiros, I love this woman.“Easy, tigress. I think there’s some food by the fire pit.”

Regulus cut off Carrick’s head while Adelaide consumed the last of the sorcerer’s food. He could have eaten, too, but she ate like she had been starved. The least he could do was let her eat. He made a makeshift bag and padding for both heads out of the sorcerer’s clothing, slung it over his shoulder, and they headed for the palace.

When they arrived at the palace gate, Regulus requested to see the officer on duty immediately. A guard ushered them straight to the royal guard barracks. Beale and Antar met them in the courtyard.

“Belanger,” Beale snapped. “You—”

“Are a hero.” Regulus dumped out the heads and they rolled across the dirt. He tossed down the sack and glared at Beale.

“The hell, Hargreaves?” Beale blanched and stepped back.

“The heads of the sorcerer Kirven and Nolan Carrick.” Regulus nodded toward the heads. “Adelaide and I killed them. You’re welcome.”

Beale blinked. “The sorcerer is dead?”

“Unless he can survive as only a head,” Adelaide said unsteadily. “I served my king and removed the threat to his crown. I—”

“You’re still a deserter,” Beale said curtly.

“Are you serious?” Regulus motioned to the heads. “She defeated the sorcerer! And killed his lackey! Who, I might remind you, killed a lord. And many royal guards, I understand.”

“And Captain Matthews and Lieutenant Breck,” Adelaide added. Beale glared at her.

“She disobeyed a direct order from a superior, abandoned her assigned post, and attacked fellow guards.” Antar pushed at Kirven’s head with the tip of his boot. “But she also saved my life. And, I’d say, the kingdom.” He looked up. “Well done, Belanger.”

“We don’t have the authority to pardon her, Antar.” Beale crossed his arms. “And I already sent a messenger to the king informing him of her desertion. The king will have to decide what to do when he returns. Until then, you’re under arrest.”

“That’s ridiculous!” Regulus stepped forward, his fists clenched at his sides. He wanted to beat someone senseless, and as Breck was apparently dead, Beale would do almost as well. “You should be thanking her, not arresting her!”

“The king will likely pardon her,” Antar said.

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