Page 37 of Staff of Nightfall

Adelaide huffed. “Legends make good stories—”

“Hey.” Regulus turned and pulled up his shirt just enough to reveal a small knotted scar on his lower back. “Demon serpent bites burn. They spit saltwater in the wounds they inflict. My men and I fought too hard for you to roll your eyes at us.” He released his shirt.

She stared. “Are you being serious?”

Regulus enjoyed her look of astonishment. “I should mention we also are forbidden from ever entering that town again after Caleb got caught kissing our benefactor’s—the mayor’s—daughter.” He offered her his hand. “The point is, I’m pushing you because you’ll need to be a cliff-woman to win.”

“Okay.” Adelaide took his hand and stood with a sigh. “You’re right.”

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THEY LEFT THE TREEat dawn the next day. As they reentered the forest, Adelaide paused to look back at the neumenet tree. “I can still feel its energy,” she murmured.

Regulus shifted in his saddle. “Should we stay another day?”

She shook her head. “No. It isn’t pulling me anymore. And I want to get back.”

“Okay.” He nudged Sieger forward. “But you should practice everything you can while we ride.”

Sometimes Regulus would point out a branch to throw a magical spear at or ask her to see how long she could keep a shield up. He hoped the practice helped keep her mind off whatever Kirven and Nolan were doing.

The sun sank toward the horizon, turning the sky pink and the clouds burnished orange. A few hours away from Belanger castle, they heard voices ahead. Regulus had decided they should assume the worst and avoid everyone, so they moved into a copse of trees in a nearby field. The men kept talking, but no one came down the road.

“Let’s keep to the field,” he whispered. Adelaide nodded and followed him.

Three men stood next to a small fire on the side of the road. All wore swords and chainmail. Their horses were staked nearby.

“Sure, tell that to his face, coward.” One of the men threw what looked like a bone into the fire, then wiped his mouth. “Yer more than happy to take his gold.”

“His gold won’t help if we’re hanged!” another man said.

Regulus glanced at Adelaide and put a finger to his lips, then gestured to ride further from the small group.

“Then leave.” The third man’s deep voice carried loud and clear over the field.

“Yeah, if I have a death wish. Carrick’s lost his mind.” The second man cursed.

Regulus whipped his head around and locked eyes with Adelaide as her face drained of color.No!He shook his head, but she was already turning Zephyr back toward the road. Mentally cursing, he followed her.

“Carrick’s got a plan,” the first speaker said. His dark hair was pulled back in a short braid. “And he ain’t lyin’ about bein’ immortal.”

“Well, I don’t see how that will savemyneck if somebody finds out what he did.” The man ran his hand through knotted blond hair. “His family connections won’t save him or us this time.”

Zephyr snorted, and the three men turned toward them, swords drawn.

“Hey.” The man with the braid pointed. “That’s her, right?”

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