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MINERVA HELD ADELAIDE’S hand, squeezing it in her excitement as they walked back to their tents. Gaius chuckled and shook his head as Minerva rattled off questions.
“Is he a good dancer? Did you kiss him? He invited just us? How do we dress for that? Did he say anything about courtship? Marriage? Do—”
“Slow down, Min.” Adelaide giggled. “One at a time.”
“All right, all right. Is he a good dancer?”
“I’ll be honest; I’ve danced with better.” She squeezed Minerva’s hand. “But that was the most fun I’ve ever had dancing.”
“So?” Minerva elbowed her. “Did he kiss you?”
“Min!”
“Is that a yes?” Minerva winked.
“No.” Adelaide bit her lip. “He seemed hesitant. I nearly kissed him myself, but then, I thought...maybe he should know first.”
“Know what?” Gaius asked. Her eyes widened in alarm.
“That Father’s picky about suitors,” Min said. Adelaide relaxed.
“Truth.” Gaius laughed. “Curious, though. Hargreaves hasn’t invited anyone to Arrano castle since he arrived.”
Adelaide shrugged. “I guess you’ll see Arrano in eleven days. The third of next month.”
“What do we wear?” Minerva rubbed her stomach. “It’s not a party, but he is a lord...”
“I’m pretty sure he doesn’t care.”
“Mm, true, we are only invited because he couldn’t invite only you.”
Adelaide rolled her eyes to hide her embarrassment.
“Did he say anything about courtship or marriage?” Minerva prodded.
“Well, no.” She pinched the sheer fabric of one of her sleeves between her fingers. “We were a little preoccupied with dancing. And talking about...everything and nothing. Sword fighting. Daggers. Food. Stories from when we were children.”
“Maybe that’s something you should talk about before the tournament ends,” Minerva said. “Might be a good idea to make sure you’re on the same page about where this is going before we go to his estate.”
Blood rushed to her face. “Are you doubting his intentions?”
“No, just...” Minerva’s expression communicated more than words. Understanding. Sympathy. Love. Protectiveness. “Regulus seems like a good man. I like him. And I won’t lie, I like the idea of you living closer.” She winked. “But anyone can put on a good act, and I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“I can take care of myself you know.”
“I’m not talking about physical pain.” Minerva rubbed her thumb on Adelaide’s hand as they stopped in front of Adelaide’s tent. “I don’t want him to break your heart. I want to make sure you’re staying grounded.”
“Don’t worry.” Adelaide pulled her hand away and smiled. “I’m using my heart and my head.”
“All right.” Minerva rubbed Adelaide’s arm. A comforting gesture she had picked up from Mother. “I’ll see you in the morning.” She and Gaius headed toward their tent.
Giselle held open the entrance to the tent. “Shall I help you change, my lady?”
Adelaide peered into the dark tent. How could she sleep right now? The rush she had felt when Regulus cupped her face in his hands hadn’t quite worn off. She still felt the touch of his lips on her forehead. The strength of his hands on her waist as they danced. Still saw the longing in his eyes. She’d felt pulled to him, like he was magnetic.
No, she couldn’t sleep yet. Too much energy still thrummed through her. “Actually,” she ducked inside to grab her riding cloak, “let’s go for a walk.”
As they wandered away from the tents and the accompanying fires and lanterns, Adelaide realized they should have brought a torch. But her eyes adjusted to the moonlight well enough. Giselle followed a short distance behind her, more a consideration of propriety than any kind of safety.
Away from the crowded tents, the noises of the night took over. The whisper of leaves brushing against each other. The chirping of crickets. An occasional croak of a frog or hoot of an owl. Adelaide breathed in the cool air, letting it calm her. Distant shouting jarred her out of her reverie. On instinct, she turned toward the noise. Grunts, shouts, and gasps carried through the night. Pulse rising, she drew her dagger from her boot.
“Wait right here! Understand?”
Giselle nodded, her face pale in the moonlight.
Adelaide hurried toward the sound. The voices came into focus. “...strong!”
“Kick him harder!” A man yelped, others shouted. “Stay down!” Gasps. The sound of flesh hitting flesh.
“Get off me!”
Adelaide’s breath came out in a rush. Regulus? Magic flared in her veins, a wild inferno of desperate energy under her skin. She ran past a couple trees. Several feet ahead, a group of four men leaned over a man on the ground, hitting and kicking him, while another man looked on. The man on the ground grabbed the shirt of one of the attackers and pushed him away. The assailant stumbled back, and moonlight fell on the downed man’s face.
“Regulus!” Adelaide screamed as she ran toward the group.
They all looked up, surprise on their faces, even as one of the men sent his boot into the side of Regulus’ head.
Anger rushed through her like fire. “Leave him alone!” She swung her dagger, although she wasn’t yet close enough to hit any of them. Fire erupted from her hand, traveling down the dagger and throwing an arc of flame toward Regulus’ attackers. They yelled and jumped back. Her dagger burned in her hand, and she tossed it aside. She grabbed a throwing knife out of her other boot. “Get back!”
“What was that?” one of the men demanded.
Panic clawed at her insides. “My torch. It went out.” She held up her knife as she advanced. “But I still have this knife, and I’ll throw it into the head of the next man that harms him!”
The men looked at each other. “Let’s go,” the onlooker said.
Her hand dropped as she recognized his voice. She looked over, shock replaced by fury. “Nolan?”
Nolan’s hard expression was unreadable. “We’re done here. I’ll leave you with your strong hero.” He turned and strode away, followed by the other men. Another man she hadn’t noticed walked past her and Regulus, following the others, a bow in his hands. Fool. You rushed in without checking your surroundings! Father would be ashamed.
Adelaide dropped to her knees next to Regulus and let the knife slip out of her hand. He pushed himself up.
“Stop! Wait! How badly are you hurt?” She put her hands on his shoulders, forcing him to lie on his back. That’s when she noticed the arrow in his left arm.
He grasped her hand with his right hand and sat up. Blood ran down the side of his face. “I’m fine. Honestly.”
“You’re hurt!”
Regulus lifted his right shoulder but kept his left arm still. “I’ve been worse.”
Her chest heaved as she looked him up and down. Regulus’ clothes were torn. Moonlight reflected off the blood on his face and on his arm around the arrow, and he might have additional wounds she couldn’t see. “Is anything broken?”
He winced as he shifted. “I don’t think so.” He still held her hand in his. “What are you doing out here?”
“I was going for a walk.” She pulled her right hand free and reached for his head. He gasped and jerked away when she touched his hairline. She clenched her jaw. “What happened?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“You’re hurt! And Nolan...it matters!”
“I’ll be fine.” He rubbed a circle on her hand with his thumb. “Thank you.”
“We have to tell Baron Carrick.”
“Adelaide, no.”
“What?” She looked into his eyes. “What do you mean, no?”
“It’s not worth it. I’m fine. Dresden has stitched me up plenty of times. He’ll make short work of my arm. Okay?”
She looked at the arrow embedded in his arm. How he was acting so unbothered, she didn’t know. She was about to ask if she should go find Dresden when he spoke.
“Adelaide.” Her pulse quickened. Her mind screamed an alarm at his odd tone. “I didn’t see a torch.”
Her breathing turned shaky. Blood drained from her face. Her hands felt clammy, so she pulled her hand free of his. “I...tossed it aside when it went out.” She looked toward where she had thrown her dagger. Why was she lying? Because she wasn’t used to telling the truth. Because her parents had been so afraid of the truth. I want to trust him. I should tell him...
Regulus gently pulled on her chin, turning her face back toward him. “I’ve seen something like that before. In Vanelt. A mage gifted in manipulating fire working for a circus.” There was no accusation in his voice. Just an observation. Only kindness, and a touch of sadness, showed in his eyes. The warmth in his tone calmed some of her panic.
“I...” She licked her lips, unsure how to proceed.
“It’s okay.” He cupped the side of her face in his large hand. “I won’t tell anyone. And you don’t have to talk about it. I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“My parents...” She swallowed. “They worry it’s dangerous. After...”
“After The Shadow.”
She nodded, her breathing normalizing. “You don’t...” She put her hand over his on her cheek. “You aren’t afraid? Or angry I didn’t tell you?”
“What? No!” Regulus scooted closer and grimaced. “You just saved me. How could I be afraid of you? And I can’t imagine what it’s like to be, possibly, the only mage in all Monparth. You must feel so alone.” His voice held sympathy. Like he knew the burden of carrying a secret.
“I wanted to tell you,” Adelaide whispered, “but I’m so used to hiding. My parents don’t want me to use my power at all. They’re afraid.” Her words rushed out, fed by relief at no longer hiding and the need to explain herself. “Afraid The Shadow will find me if I use my magic. Or that people might try to kill me before I could hurt them. Or that others would try to use me.”
He nodded. “I can see the wisdom in hiding a truth that dangerous.”
“I’m sorry—”
“No, don’t apologize.” He rubbed his thumb over her cheekbone. “Wait.” He looked around. “Are you out here all alone?”
She gestured vaguely behind her. “I left my maid back there when I heard shouting.”
“You heard shouting, so you ran toward it?”
“It sounded like someone needed help.”
Regulus chuckled. “Brave like a tigress indeed.”
She bit her lip. “Do you think Nolan or any of his friends noticed?”
“None of them seem particularly bright. I’m sure you’re fine.” He smiled. “But you might want to try not conjuring fire if you want to keep being a mage a secret.”
“I didn’t do it on purpose!” Adelaide groaned. “It’s...sometimes difficult to control. Although I’m getting better.” Which means I can help. She straightened and scanned the shadows. “Hello? Anyone there?”
Regulus lowered his hand from her cheek. “What—”
“Shh.” She listened and watched the darkness. “Just checking. All right. I don’t think anyone is around.”
“Why—”
Adelaide held out her hand and summoned a ball of azure-tinged light. It hung in the air, illuminating Regulus’ wounds. “I can’t believe Nolan would attack you.” Literally. Her mind refused to believe what she had seen. As if there had to be another explanation. She clenched her teeth as she inspected the arrow buried in his upper arm. “Why would he do this?”
Regulus gazed at the orb, lips parted. “To send a message. To humiliate me. To prevent me from competing tomorrow. Take your pick.”
She gently parted his hair and found the cut on his head. It wasn’t as bad as expected. “You’ll compete tomorrow,” she declared. “And you’ll knock Nolan Carrick off his horse.” She held her hand over the cut. Warmth spread across her glowing palm as the blue light made the blood look purplish.
“What are you... Oh.” He relaxed, and she focused on the cut until it closed.
“That felt like...” Regulus blinked a few times. “Comforting. It eased the pain and then... The pain just left. I felt nothing.” He touched his head. “There’s not even a scar?” His voice held wonder.
“I can do more.” Adelaide blushed. “Or I’m trying, anyway. I’m teaching myself.”
“I thought you said your parents didn’t want you using your powers?”
“They don’t know.” She wrapped her hand around the protruding shaft of the arrow. “I’m sorry.” She met his eyes. “This will hurt, but only for a second.”
He nodded. “Nothing I haven’t felt before.”
Adelaide ripped the arrow out of Regulus’ arm. He groaned through clenched teeth as blood poured from the gaping hole. His muscles bulged against the sleeve. She held her hand over the wound, energy coursing through her arm and out of her hand as light shimmered from her palm. Regulus relaxed. The wound pulled together and closed. She lowered her hand and let the sphere of light go out before anyone could wander by.
“Is there pain anywhere else?”
He shook his head. “They weren’t able to do much before you scared them off.”
“Are you sure?” It felt good to use her powers. To help someone, like she had wanted to do for so long. And nothing terrible has happened.
“I’m sure.” His gaze held hers, his gray irises silvery in the moonlight.
She smiled sheepishly. “You don’t mind?”
“Mind? I think it’s wonderful. You’re wonderful.” He brushed a curl of hair behind her ear. “Mage or not.”
Her heart danced. Kiss me, damn you.
“Thank you.” Regulus’ voice lowered, becoming husky. He leaned forward. “You’re spectacular. Breathtaking. Adelaide... I...” He trailed off as his fingers tangled in her hair.
Adelaide couldn’t stand the tension anymore. She closed the space between them and kissed him. As her mouth met his, her breath seemed stolen away. Her eyes closed; her mind emptied. She started to pull away, afraid she’d been too forward, or done it wrong. But Regulus grabbed her waist and kissed her. She sank into him, breathed him in as she wrapped her arms around his neck. A spark of reckless joy ignited in her chest and she trembled. He gripped her waist firmer, pulled her closer against his muscled chest. Slowly, his mouth left hers, his quick breaths hot on her lips. She opened her eyes.
It took her a couple tries to speak. “I should go. Before Giselle panics.” And before I forget which way is back. She stood.
“Wait.” He grabbed her hand and gently pulled her back down. Her breathing hitched as he leaned forward. Regulus kissed her again, and Adelaide felt weightless and invincible all at once. He pulled away too soon, and she sighed. He chuckled.
Adelaide’s eyes flew open. “What?”
“It’s just...” He ran his thumb over the back of her hand. “You’ve bested me. You’ve won my heart.” He looked into her eyes with gentle longing, bordering on adoration. Like she was the only thing that mattered, the only person he ever wanted to look at. It was so close to the way Father looked at Mother, Adelaide’s throat caught.
She touched his face, her fingers caressing his scar. She didn’t need to think anymore. Her heart had taken over. She kissed his lips, then his scar. His hand released hers and pressed against her lower back as he kissed her, pulling her close while his other hand buried in her hair.
“Adelaide? Oh, thank Et—Hargreaves!”
She jumped at Gaius’ uncharacteristically enraged voice and broke away from Regulus’ kiss. Regulus’ hands tightened on her as his eyes snapped open, alert and battle-ready.
Adelaide looked back and saw Gaius and two of his knights running toward them, swords drawn. Shuddering light from a torch one of the knights carried spilled over her and Regulus as the men slowed. Regulus released her.
“Gaius?” She flushed as Gaius grabbed her arm and pulled her to her feet.
“Are you hurt?” He held her hand up in the torchlight. “You’re bleeding!”
“No, I’m fine—”
Gaius turned and pointed his sword at Regulus, still holding her arm. “I might just run you through if you don’t have a good explain, Lord—wait, are you bleeding, too?”
“Gaius!” She yanked her arm free. “I’m fine, it’s Regulus’ blood!”
Regulus touched the blood on the side of his face. “It’s only a scratch.”
“And your arm, too.” Gaius lowered his sword, the anger on his face softening. “What happened?”
“Nolan Carrick and his friends attacked him.” Adelaide’s anger returned full force.
“It was just some ruffians. Probably had too much to drink,” Regulus said, holding up a hand. “I didn’t see any of their faces. And I’m fine. A couple minor scratches.”
She clenched her jaw. Nolan shouldn’t get away with it simply because his father was a baron. Anger stirred her magic, but she forced it down.
“I see.” Gaius sheathed his sword and rounded on Adelaide. “So you’re not hurt?” He looked her up and down.
“I’m fine, Gaius.”
“Actually,” Regulus stood, “she saved me. Threw a torch at the miscreants and threatened to put a throwing knife through their skulls. Speaking of,” he bent down and picked up her dropped throwing knife, the light from the torch glinting on the blade. “This is yours.”
“What are you doing here?” Adelaide asked Gaius as she returned the knife to her boot.
“Giselle came and got me. She said you went running off toward what sounded like shouting and ordered her to stay behind, but she was worried for your safety. Min’s in a panic.” He looked at Regulus, lips pursed. “And then when we arrived there was only you two, alone, in the dark, on the ground, a bit...tangled...” Adelaide’s face heated.
Regulus inclined his head. “I understand your concern. But I assure you, I would never hurt Adelaide. Or intentionally impugn her honor.”
“And I can take care of myself, Gaius.”
“Clearly. But even champions can be taken by surprise.” He gestured to Regulus. “You’re Minerva’s sister, so you’re my sister, too. That is both a privilege and a duty, and one that I take as seriously as protecting my wife.”
He was right, and just being kind. Even if his protectiveness grated on her nerves. “Thank you.” Adelaide smiled. “Minerva is lucky to have you.”
Gaius grinned. “I assure you it’s the other way around, but I try.” His smile vanished. “As for all...this. I think it would be best if all parties returned to their own tents immediately.”
“Yes, of course.” She looked at Regulus. “I’ll find you before the joust tomorrow?”
“I’ll be looking for you.”
Adelaide walked over to the knight with the torch. “Could I borrow that? I dropped something.” He handed her the torch, and she scanned the ground for her dagger. After a moment, she found it. It looked normal and was cool in her hand. She slid it into her boot and handed back the torch. “Shall we?”
