Page 96 of Staff of Nightfall

“Oh, it’s just a tiny blade I had up my sleeve.” Nolan ran his knuckles over her jaw in a caress that made her skin crawl. “But it’s enough to do some decent damage. Nothing you can’t heal, based on the fact Hargreaves is alive. I’m disappointed, but I suppose I’ll simply kill him a second time.”

“I’m surprised you had the mettle to show up after you ran away last time.” The tip of the knife pressed deeper into her side, threatening to break through her dress.

“I had been run through with a sword four times,” he snapped. “I knew it was pointless to waste my time fighting you in that state. It was a tactical decision.”

“Right. I’m going to turn around now.” She turned slowly, but he didn’t stab her. Nolan wore a black doublet with gold stitching, and a matching mask. Facing him made Adelaide flash back to the last time she saw him, and it made her dizzy.Focus. It’s different this time.She kept her voice low. “As a member of the royal guard, I’m placing you under arrest for treason.”

“Really?” Nolan laughed. “So, the rumors around town a woman joined the royal guard are true. I suspected it was you.” He adjusted the knife’s point against her side. “But if you arrest me, you’ll be too busy with me to find Kirven.”

“Where is he?” She looked around. “Is he here?”

Nolan clicked his tongue. “What would be the fun in telling you that?” He took her hand. “May I have this dance?”

“Are you going to stab me if I say no?”

“It’s just a dance.” He smiled. “Don’t say no and we won’t have to find out.”

“Fine.” She lifted her chin, determined not to let him see her fear. “But put the knife away or I’ll step on your feet.”

He chuckled. “Maybe I want to keep it out to make sure you don’t try anything stupid.”

“Maybe I’m trying to keep a low profile until I find Kirven and think dancing is as good a way to do that as any.” She met his eyes, even as her stomach twisted in on itself.

“Deal.” Nolan’s hand left her side and he slipped the short, thin knife up his sleeve then showed her his empty hands. “Satisfied?”

“I will be when you’re either dead or in prison.”

Nolan took her arm. “With that mouth, you’re awfully lucky you’re so attractive.” A crooked, leering smile replaced his frown as he pulled her against him on the dance floor. “But at least your mouth is excellent for kissing.” He pressed his lips to hers. Adelaide gasped and pulled back, but he yanked her forward again.

“Ah-ah,” he murmured against her mouth. “Don’t cause a scene, love. You wanted to blend in.” Her legs shook and she squeezed her eyes shut, the blood draining from her face as he kissed her. He pulled back and moved her hands into position for the dance.

She stumbled over the first several steps, her mind numb. She could still feel him, taste him. Her knees shook. She tripped and mumbled an apology.We should have had a better plan.As they brushed past other couples, she searched for Kirven to keep her mind off Nolan. Why did Kirven have to be so short? She caught glimpses of Regulus on the other side of the room, his head rising above most of the other guests. She focused on him.

“I feel like you’re ignoring me, which makes you a poor dance partner.” Nolan pulled her closer. “Give in, Adelaide. I know you want to.”

Panic squeezed at her throat.I’m not helpless. I’m not trapped.But it didn’t feel true, and her heart hammered against her ribs like it wanted to escape its cage. She stared over his shoulder; every ounce of her shaking concentration focused on moving her feet in time to the music.

Captain Matthews and Lieutenant Breck stood conversing near one of the servant entrances, near two other royal guards. She wondered how to lead their dance toward them without being obvious. Surely the five of them could restrain Nolan. She purposefully mis-stepped so Nolan’s foot landed on top of hers. She gasped and dropped her hand from his shoulder, exaggerating her limp.

Nolan steadied her. “Are you all right?”

“I think I just...need to sit down for a moment.” She put some weight on the foot and stumbled, wincing and sucking in a breath to sell it. Not that it didn’t hurt—her big toe throbbed—but it wasn’tthatbad. She put a hand on his shoulder. “Help me off the floor?”

“Least I can do.” He beamed as she leaned on him and took the opportunity to loop his arm around her waist. She tried not to let her aversion show while she hobbled toward a bench near Matthews and Breck. She kept her head turned toward the bench but looked toward the officers. Breck caught her gaze and rolled his eyes, looking disgusted. Adelaide glanced toward Nolan, then back at them. Breck just shook his head.

Nolan helped her onto the bench. “Here, let me look at it.” He knelt and pulled her boot out from under her dress.

Adelaide risked looking over her shoulder at the officers and pointed at Nolan. She dropped her hand and looked back just as Nolan looked up from her boot.

“Feels swollen. But, you know,” he said, massaging her foot through her boot, “it wouldn’t have happened if you’d done the proper steps.”

“I know.”

“I am sorry, though.” His hand moved to her ankle, wandering up her calf as he smirked, his eyes filled with desire. Her throat constricted. “Let me make it up to you.”

“Belanger,” Breck said, approaching with Matthews. Nolan looked at them, his brow creasing. “If you’re trying to point out that you’re doing the exact opposite of what I said—”

“It’s Nolan Carrick.” Adelaide’s palms glowed blue.Time to try something new.Nolan stood, but the ropes she formed out of her magic curled around him, tying his arms to his sides. Matthews and Breck drew their swords. The people standing near them gasped and moved away.

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