Page 77 of Staff of Nightfall

“I won’t. Don’t ask me to.”

“I’ve tried everything else! I—I need you to behead me. Please. Please.”

Dresden had taken Regulus’ bloody sword and tossed it aside. Bits and pieces of what Dresden had said echoed in his mind.“This isn’t how you win. I’ll help, Regulus, I promise. This is temporary. You’re more than your failures, mistakes, your worst moments, or the sorcerer’s actions. You can’t leave me. I’m not abandoning you. You’re my friend, my brother. The world is a better place because of Regulus Hargreaves, and I won’t see the world become worse by losing you.”

Adelaide sucked in a breath and pulled away, but before her skin left his, he sensed it wasn’t out of shock or disgust. She simply couldn’t bear feeling his emotions.

“Reg...” She clapped her hand over her mouth and looked toward Dresden. “I didn’t mean to...” Her voice was jagged and raw, and a hint of moonlight caught in the silent tears on her cheeks.

Oh. No.“You...saw?” He wiped away his own tears.

She threw her arms around him. “I’m sorry.”

Regulus now understood how horrified Adelaide had been when he accidentally spied on Carrick’s attack. The realization she had not only seen him at his lowest and most vulnerable, but lived his memory of it, crushed him. But Adelaide didn’t turn away. He leaned into her embrace, but avoided touching his skin to hers, careful not to flood her with his emotions again.

“I lost hope,” he said past his tight vocal cords. “I saw no way forward, and the guilt...”

She rubbed his back and arms and moved closer against his chest. Comforting and accepting him as his emotions choked him. Her unflinching love soothed his battered heart.

“But Drez didn’t abandon me or judge me,” he continued quietly. “He never stopped believing in me. He was always nudging me forward, insisting I keep living my life like it was normal, because it would be someday. He came up with a mantra to ground me when my thoughts got too dark. And he got me Magnus. To ‘give me a reason to leave my room.’”Which did help, actually.

Regulus shifted. Part of him felt exposed and ridiculous. Part of him was relieved to tell her, to talk about it.

“I’m glad you have him,” Adelaide whispered.

“Me too.” He licked his lips. They still tasted salty from the afternoon of sea breezes. “No one is strong all the time, Ad. Even tigers run from fire and hunters.” He kissed her hair. “That’s why we all need each other. I thought I was being strong by separating myself and putting up walls. I thought I was protecting my friends. But Dresden was right. Being a lone wolf made me weaker, not stronger, and only hurt the people I care about.”

Adelaide squeezed him tighter.

“I don’t expect you to be fearless.” Regulus stroked her hair. “But I hope you’ll stand with me and try to do what’s right. Together.”

After a moment, she responded. “Thank you. For being honest.” She felt for his hand in the dark and gripped it, and her determination, heartache, and love poured into him. “I think I can manage together.”

Chapter 30

In the morning theyordered a tub of hot water brought to their room. Alfred gave Adelaide coin to purchase new clothes for herself and Regulus while the men washed up. Even though Regulus had argued against Dresden and Alfred coming to rescue Adelaide, he was thankful they had insisted. Thankful to have Dresden, and thankful Alfred had had the foresight to pack a good amount of coin.

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