Page 23 of Staff of Nightfall

“I’m not waiting here for him to take me!” She immediately wished she hadn’t said it. But she couldn’t keep her fear inside any longer, gnawing away at her heart.

No one said anything for a long moment. She stared at her blurred reflection in the dagger lying on her bed.

Father sighed. “I won’t let that happen.”

“Alfred.” Regulus stood. “Adelaide’s reasoning is sound.”

“I don’t care. She’s not leaving this room if it means I have to chain her to her bed.”

“Father!” She looked to Mother, but Mother lifted a shoulder, clearly siding with Father. “You wouldn’t.”

“The messengers will be sent tonight, in two groups, and will all take different routes.” Father clutched the arrow and it snapped in half. “You two will be locked in your own rooms.”

“Fath—”

“End of discussion.” Father turned and opened the door.

“Wait!” Adelaide reached toward him, as if to stop him. He paused partway through the door. “What did the note say?”

“Nothing.” Father walked out the door and she raced after him and grabbed his arm.

“Tell me.”

“It’s not your concern—”

She grabbed his hand and tried to pry his fist open.

“Don’t make this harder, Adelaide.” Father moved her aside, but she held onto his fist.

“I deserve to know.” Her heart pushed against her throat.He’s only targeting you because of me.

Father sighed and lowered his head. “It doesn’t change anything if you know.”

“I’d rather know than wonder.” She tried to catch his eyes, but he wouldn’t look at her.

Slowly, Father unclenched his fist. Adelaide took the crumpled, smashed scrap of parchment from his palm. It crinkled as she opened it. She walked closer to a small window in the hallway and held it up to the light. Nolan’s handwriting looked just the same as in the love letters he had sent her what seemed a lifetime ago. Regulus walked up behind her as she read.

I’ll tell you what I told Adelaide: You don’t want to go to war with me. You can’t stop the inevitable, Belanger. Stay out of my way. Final warning. Let’s not make Adelaide fatherless if we don’t have to, shall we?

Regulus reached around her and pulled the note out of her hands. He read it, then ripped it in half and dropped it to the ground.

Father wrapped his arms around Adelaide and cradled the side of her head in his hand. “It’s going to be all right.” He kissed the top of her head, just like he did when she was little. She leaned into his chest, taking comfort in his warmth while he stroked her hair. “I’ve faced many enemies. I’m still here. Don’t worry.” He patted her shoulder and walked away.

But none were a man who couldn’t be killed. Adelaide watched him walk down the hall, back tall, but with a heaviness to his steps that betrayed the weight he carried. She had always thought Father the strongest person she knew. Believed him to be unbreakable. A war hero with laughter and love in his heart. He had never looked so ragged. So unsure. For the first time, she looked at him and didn’t feel like everything would be all right.

And it was her fault.

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THE ROOM WAS MADE OFlayered shadows when Adelaide’s eyes snapped open. She listened, trying to determine what had awoken her. She must not have been asleep long; in fact, she was unsure she’d even fallen asleep. Something metallic rasped at the door. Still lying down, she gripped the hilt of her dagger under her pillow and freed it from its sheath, watching the door through half-closed eyes. The door cracked open. Faint candlelight spilled into the room. With a creak, the door opened further. The candle on the floor illuminated a kneeling figure. She blinked against the bright light as the man picked up the candle and stood, her pulse quickening. Under the pillow, she gripped the dagger tighter and prepared to scream.

The man raised the candle, and the light glittered in his eyes and made his scar shine. Her muscles unclenched and she sat up.

“Regulus? What—”

“Shh.” He walked in and closed the door behind him. A bulging bag hung from his uninjured shoulder. He’d found a sword somewhere, as one now hung at his left hip. “We’re going to the neumenet tree.”

“What?” She squinted at the candlelight.

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