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REGULUS SAT IN A LARGE armchair in his room across from the small fire crackling in the fireplace, feet propped up on a cushioned stool. The orange light of the fire provided the only illumination now that the sun had set. He rubbed his thumb over the mark on his arm. Nearly three weeks had passed since he had returned from killing the dragon, and he hadn’t heard from the sorcerer. In the two years since receiving the mark, there had been times he had gone three months without the sorcerer contacting him. Still, if the sorcerer was too busy to bother him, what was he busy with?
The sudden appearance of Magnus’ large head in his lap pulled him out of his gloomy thoughts. “Hey, boy.” He scratched under Magnus’ chin. Magnus licked the rough, scarred mark on Regulus arm. “I’m afraid you can’t clean that off, buddy.” He pulled his sleeve back down and massaged Magnus’ big, floppy ears. Magnus stood with his head resting on Regulus’ thigh. As Regulus massaged his ears and the side of his head, Magnus closed his eyes and panted. Someone knocked on the door.
“Come in.”
Dresden walked in, his face like stone. “Care to explain this?” He held up a piece of parchment. Magnus left to rub against Dresden’s legs.
“Explain what?” Regulus knit his brows. “Is that a letter?”
Drez strode over and shoved the parchment in his face. “You left this in the dining hall.”
As Regulus’ eyes focused on the writing in the dim light, he recognized it as the letter confirming his entry into the Etchy Tournament. “Oh. That. I was going to tell you about that.”
“When? It’s in four days! We’ll have to leave the day after next!” Dresden dropped the letter in Regulus’ lap as Magnus curled up on the rug in front of the fireplace. “‘Oh, Drez, get ready for a trip. Where? The Etchy Tournament, time to go, no time to talk.’”
Regulus ducked his head. “Something of the sort did cross my mind.”
“Reg, there’s a reason you don’t do tournaments!” With a groan, Drez sat on the end of Regulus’ bed.
“I know—”
“Then explain! Did the sorcerer tell you he won’t need you for the next week?”
“Well, no—”
“So you could have to up and leave with no explanation?”
“That wouldn’t be so strange—”
“And has your superhuman strength disappeared recently?”
“No—”
“Are you still healing supernaturally quickly?”
“Drez—”
“Is sorcery still a capital offense? What changed, Regulus? What?” Dresden looked uncharacteristically tired as he drew his hand down his face. “You’re going to get caught.”
Regulus stared at the fire. Every objection Dresden raised and more had already occurred to him. He knew he was being foolish; he just didn’t care. Because for once, something was going right.
“I can be careful. I can hold myself back. I’ve practiced, you’ve seen it.”
“When have you ever cared about tournaments?” Drez walked over to the fireplace. He knelt and scratched Magnus’ head. “You told me you didn’t want to take part in the nobles’ games of vanity and posturing, regardless of the danger of doing so with your... Condition.”
“Things change.”
“What changed?” Dresden leaned against the wood-paneled wall next to the fireplace and crossed his arms. “Based on the checklist I went down, nothing...has...” A stricken expression came over his face. “Don’t say it. Don’t you say it.”
Regulus offered a guilty half smile. “You wanted this.”
“Oh, for the love of...” Drez rubbed his forehead. “Do you even know if she will be there?”
“She asked if I’d be there. I couldn’t tell her no.” The yes was out of my mouth before I could stop myself. He couldn’t disappoint Adelaide now. And even though it was dangerous—for himself and Adelaide—he wanted to go. After she pulled a dagger on Carrick, Regulus knew he was a lost cause. He would do anything she asked. The way her eyes lit up when he said he’d be there... She’s making me reckless.
“You’re an idiot.”
Yes, probably. “I’ll be careful. I won’t be found out.” He looked down at his hands. “But if something goes wrong...well, same plan. None of you knew anything.”
“I’m not abandoning you, Reg.” Dresden’s voice was tight with anger. “The others won’t, either. Don’t you get that yet?”
It’s the only reason I keep coming back. “I’m not letting any of you die because of me.”
“You’re only in this mess because of me and the others,” Dresden said quietly.
He took his feet off the stool and sat forward in his chair. “No. This was my choice. Something goes wrong; you swear on everything you can think of you didn’t know. Or what is the point of what I’ve done?”
Dresden glowered at the floor in silence. “Well...don’t get caught and it won’t be an issue.” He straightened. “So, you really like her?”
No. I think I might love her. “I know I shouldn’t—”
Drez cursed. “Stop. You don’t have to be afraid of being happy.”
“I’m not afraid of being happy. I’m afraid of hurting her.” Regulus rubbed the tension building in his shoulder. “When I’m here, it’s easier to tell myself it’s dangerous. But when I’m around her...” He shrugged, his face heating. I believe in a better life.
“You’re more yourself.” The corner of Drez’s mouth pulled up in a bittersweet smile. “You better win. Make this ridiculous risk worth it.”
Regulus smiled wryly. “Obviously.”
