Page 86 of Staff of Nightfall

“Don’t change the subject to protect him, girl,” Breck said.

“Breck,” Antar said with an easy wave of his hand. “Let them be.”

“Sure.” Breck tilted his chin up. “Soon as scar-face apologizes to his superior for his disrespectful tone.”

Regulus tensed.Please,she thought, remembering Russell’s list of punishments.Just get it over with.She heard Regulus grind his teeth.

“I apologize, sir.” He sounded almost sincere. Almost.

“I still feel disrespected.” Breck crossed his arms. “Kiss my boot to make it up to me, guardsman.” Adelaide stared at the lieutenant in disbelief. Regulus didn’t move. “If I have to tell you again, you won’t get dinner.” Still, Regulus didn’t move. He probably figured going hungry for a while was worth skipping the humiliation of kissing Breck’s dust-coated boot. To be honest, she didn’t blame him. “No dinner, then. Kiss my boot, or I’m taking your supper, too.”

Regulus stood immobile. This was insane. She looked at Beale and Antar, but Beale just watched and Antar looked mildly amused. She gave Regulus’ arm a gentle tug. This was getting out of hand. He didn’t even look at her.

Breck shook his head and tapped his foot. “One more chance, but this time you’re looking at a night in the stocks.”

Adelaide’s mouth fell open. That wasn’t a legitimate order. That punishment did not fit the crime. But she didn’t dare say so, not with the gloating expression on Breck’s face and the disinterest Beale had in the whole situation. She slid her hand from Regulus’ sleeve to his hand, hoping he would receive her desire to give in. Her fear of being without him that night.

Regulus started at her touch. Some of the fire left his eyes, but his expression remained tense. “Yes, sir.”

Regulus got down on his knees and kissed the tip of Breck’s boot. As he straightened, Breck kicked him in the chest. Regulus fell back against the wall next to the door. Adelaide yelped, both at the unexpected attack and the ache in her own chest that indicated just how hard Breck had kicked him. She leaned over Regulus, praying he wouldn’t lose his temper and make things worse. His chest heaved, but he didn’t say anything.

Breck nodded, a self-satisfied smile on his face. “Still no dinner or supper for you.”

“I’m sorry,” she whispered as she helped Regulus up.

His face was red, but he whispered back, “Don’t be.”

A hand grabbed her upper arm. Adelaide shied away and scrunched her shoulders toward her ears.Pull it together. It’s just your arm.All the same, fear made her rigid. Regulus thumb rubbed her hand. His love and even somehow his anger gave her more confidence and she relaxed.

“I don’t get it,” Breck said as he squeezed her arm. “More muscle than I expected, but not enough to be much use. And seems skittish.” He released her and sneered. “A week’s wages says the king requests her on night shifts.”

Beale laughed. “Do I look like a fool to you? I’m not betting against that.” Adelaide’s face burned. “Ah, look. You’ve upset her.” He laughed again.

“That’s enough,” Antar said, his voice quiet but firm. “I apologize for my fellows. You’re free to go back to your room.”

“Thank you, sir.” She pulled Regulus out of the barracks, Breck’s complaining about Antar’s sour attitude fading behind them. They kept a rapid pace until they were back in their room with the door closed. She hovered a sphere of light in the center of the room.

“The king’s an idiot,” Regulus spat. “He didn’t pause for a moment to consider what a bad idea putting a woman in the guard was.”

“Being angry won’t change it.” She pulled him down next to her on the bed and gripped his shirt. “I understand, but please, don’t do something like that again.”

“I’ve done enough groveling and being pushed around in the past two years to last me a lifetime.”

She couldn’t argue with that, but her own irritation with his stubbornness continued to grow. “I know. But—”

“They don’t scare me.” Regulus’ eyes narrowed. “I—”

“It’s not only about you!” She shoved his chest and released his shirt. “Did you consider how your actions affected me? Now if I want to eat, I have to face the mess hall alone. I almost had to spend the night alone. Did you think about that? Did you think of me? Well, did you?”

“I...” His face fell. “No. I didn’t.”

“No. You didn’t.” She huffed and stood. “Together, Reg. That’s what you said. Together!”

“I’m sorry—”

“You’re not a lone wolf, Reg, you—”

“Ad.” He grabbed her hand. “I know. I’m truly sorry.” The genuine regret on his face and the sorrow roaring through their bond made her anger deflate. “It won’t happen again. I swear.”

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