Page 83 of Staff of Nightfall

She let Father go and blinked back her tears. She would not cry in front of Captain Russell. Russell strode out of the room. She followed, slipping her hand into Regulus’ as they followed him down the hall. She cast one last glance over her shoulder at Father and Dresden following the servant woman in the opposite direction.

“His Excellency told me you both are assigned to his personal guard, but he didn’t specify why.” Russell looked back at them, his expression halfway between curious and disgusted. “I don’t know what use a woman can be in his guard.” He eyed their joined hands. “I guess that’s why you two are to have your own room separate from the barracks. Ridiculous.”

He looked back in front, keeping up his rushed pace. Adelaide cast Regulus a relieved glance. At least they wouldn’t be separated. The scarred side of his mouth pulled up in a slight smile and he squeezed her hand.

“I will show you to your room and explain how the guard works,” Russell continued without looking back. “Lieutenant Beale will orient you later. You will be notified of your schedule once I’ve worked that out. Apparently,” he said with annoyance, “the king wants one of you on his personal detail as often as possible, but he had a meeting to attend and couldn’t explain.”

Russell opened a door to a plain spiral stone staircase and led them down, instructing them to close the door behind them. Archer’s loops in the wall provided the only light and let in the outside air. They were in the back of the palace, based on the glimpses Adelaide caught out the narrow slits as they passed them.

At the bottom landing, Russell paused. His gaze trailed over her from head to toe and back. “What’s the truth? Seems there should be an easier way to disguise a royal affair. And that doesn’t explain,” he pointed at their joined hands, “this.”

Adelaide gasped. “That’s not—”

“She’s not his mistress!” Regulus’ grip on her hand tightened.

“What, not yet?” Russell raised his eyebrows. “You don’t have to keep up the act with me. I know every secret the king has, including the ones the queen doesn’t.”

Regulus’ indignation melded with Adelaide’s horror and embarrassment through their bond. “The king needs my protection.” She hated how high-pitched her voice sounded.

Russell snorted. “I’m sure you have many useful skills.” He eyed her in a way that made her want to hide behind Regulus, but she stood her ground and scowled.

“In fact, I do.” She threw a small ball of fire at the stone wall less than a foot away from Russell. He jumped.

“You...you’re a...”

“Mage.” The fear in his eyes pleased her more than it should have.

“And you’re...?” He looked at Regulus.

“Her betrothed. And maybe immortal.”

“Right...” Russell nodded slowly. “Right.” He opened the door to a cobblestoned courtyard bordered by wooden buildings.

Servants rushed back and forth. Some carried baskets, boxes, and sacks. A few led livestock. Russell led them behind the palace, then entered another door. The hallway here was undecorated, the stone floor barren. They walked past several doors, passing male and female servants from small children to older women with silver hair tucked under headscarves, then turned down another corridor. Finally, Russell opened a door and motioned them inside.

The small room had a worn green rug, a simple wooden dresser, a small square wooden table with two worn chairs, and a bed covered with a faded green comforter and two flat pillows. Nothing hung on the bare stone walls, none of which had windows. The only light came in through the open door. A glass oil lamp sat on the table next to a couple pieces of flint.

A servant’s room. Disappointment pinched her gut, but Regulus squeezed her hand. At least it wasn’t a dirt floor and wasn’t the barracks. Russell stood near the table, hands clasped behind his back.

“You have taken a solemn oath to serve and protect the king, whether that be by your life or your death.” He looked quizzically at Regulus as he saiddeath.“I have no idea if this will work differently, so for now I’ll give you the usual orders. You will report for meals in the barracks mess hall when assigned. You will be assigned a time to report to the barracks courtyard for training. You will not speak to any members of the royal family unless addressed first, and you will keep your answers short and refer to the king as Your Excellency, the queen as Your Majesty, the crown prince as Your Highness, and the princesses as Your Grace.

“You will address the members of the court as my lord and my lady. You will report to me or the officer on duty before and after each shift with your fellow guards. You will follow all orders given by myself, Captain Matthews, and Lieutenants Beale, Breck, and Antar promptly and without question. You may not leave the palace grounds without the consent of the officer on duty. You will address your captains and lieutenants as sir.

“Disobedience will be punished according to the severity of the offence and if it is a repeat offence, ranging from withheld meals to time in the stocks to lashings to execution and other punishments at the discretion of the assigning officer. Is that clear?”

“Yes, sir,” they said in unison.

“Someone should come measure you for a uniform at some point today, Hargreaves. I don’t know what we’re doing about clothes for you, Belanger.” He shook his head, then continued. “Lieutenant Beale has been notified to find you here and should arrive presently. Any questions you have may be directed to Lieutenant Beale, as I will be off duty for the remainder of the day.” Russell turned on his heel and headed out. He paused in the doorway.

“One other thing,” Russell said over his shoulder. “I don’t know why the king didn’t tell me about the...um, magic. Maybe His Excellency wants it kept secret. Until we’re told otherwise, keep your cards to yourselves.” He departed, leaving the door open.

Adelaide sank onto the bed, relieved to be off her feet. The frame creaked under the thin mattress as Regulus sat next to her. “Well. At least we’re together.”

Regulus gently held the side of her head and pulled her toward him. “My life has taken some unexpected turns since meeting you.” He kissed her temple. “But you’re worth it.”

Her face warmed. His sincerity pulsed through their connection, comforting her and loosening the knots in her back. He rubbed her shoulder and kissed her forehead, then her cheek. She turned toward him, meeting his lips with hers. Her arms circled around his waist.

Someone cleared their throat. They leapt apart and stood. A man dressed in the same uniform as Russell but with a black sash instead of red stood in the doorway, arms crossed and mouth turned down. His brown hair was cut close to his head. He had a stubbly beard, thick eyebrows, and light brown skin that might have just been a dark tan.

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