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The entire time they made their way through the palace, Adelaide stayed nestled against Regulus’ side. Beale led them to a room a little bigger than where they had first met the king. The furnishings were ostentatious, with candelabras covered in gold leaf and black marble statues of rearing horses that framed a large fireplace. A wood throne with cushions covered in deep purple cloth sat unoccupied on a small dais under a stained-glass window of a white hart in the woods. The front legs of the throne were carved with a dragon on one side and a knight on the other.
The door to their right, next to the fireplace, opened. They all bowed as the king strode in, his crimson cape brushing the ground behind him. The dragon-hilt sword hung at his hip and a gold crown rested on his head. He did not look at them as he crossed to the throne. It made Adelaide feel small and nervous.
After he sat on the throne, the king finally looked at them. “Adelaide Belanger. Step forward.”
Adelaide moved forward, Regulus’ arm slipping off her shoulders and leaving her cold. She knelt before the king and lowered her head, the shackles on her wrists clinking a reminder of her tenuous position.
“Adelaide Belanger, you stand accused of desertion from the ranks of the royal guard, of disobeying a direct order from your commanding officer, of attacking other members of the royal guard, and abandoning your sacred oath to us, that you would protect us first and foremost. What defense do you give?”
The forbidding coldness in the king’s tone wasn’t promising. Adelaide took a moment to answer, praying for the right words.
“Your Excellency.” She looked up at the king’s hard expression and fought to keep her tone measured and even. “The night of the masque I did everything in my power to protect Your Excellency and your family. I gave my energy; I gave my strength. And against my will, I sacrificed my betrothed to capture and torture and I lost my father to the next life.” Emotion gave her voice a slight tremor, and she had to push aside her heartache to continue.
“I did not disobey orders because I wanted to turn my back on Your Excellency or my duty,” she continued. “I did not want to wait for Kirven to come. Nor could I. The bond between Regulus and I meant that the longer they tortured him, the weaker I became. If I had done as ordered, Kirven would have come and I would have been drained of power and Your Excellency’s life would have been in danger. I set out to rescue Regulus and stop Kirven and Nolan Carrick before they hurt or killed anyone else, including Your Excellency. And that’s what I did. I do not regret my choice.” She lowered her head. “I humbly beg Your Excellency’s pardon for my disobedience. I did it out of regard for my duty, not disdain.”
The king sat silent while sweat beaded on her brow. “Sir Michael,” the king called.
The side door opened. Sir Michael the steward scuttled in, the Staff of Nightfall in his hands. So Dresden had made it back to the palace, she realized with relief. Sir Michael held it out to Adelaide. She took it, confused why he had given it to her. The steward stepped away.
“What would you recommend we do with our brother’s weapon?” The king rested his chin on his ring-laden fingers.
There was only one thing to do with it, but Adelaide doubted she had the strength. She lowered her head and gripped the Staff, letting her magic flow into it, exploring it. She flinched at the anger and destructive sorcery her magic brushed against in the Staff, but she also found weaknesses. Kirven had been right—the rebounded spell had caused fissures all along the Staff of Nightfall.
She closed her eyes and channeled her magic into the fissures, concentrating on hardening the magic into solid light, like driving a wedge into a crack. Light glowed in front of her closed lids. Then, with a sound like a crack of thunder, a flash of light, and a rush of her power, the staff shattered in her hands. Adelaide collapsed forward and pressed her trembling hands against the floor, panting, but allowed herself a slight smile. Gold and opal pieces littered the carpet.
“I would throw the pieces into the sea, Your Excellency,” she said, breathless.
Several moments passed before the king spoke. “Sir Michael, please gather the pieces and have them thrown into the sea at three different points.” Sir Michael gathered the pieces as the king continued. “Lieutenant Beale remove her shackles. Adelaide Belanger, you have asked for our pardon, and we freely—and gratefully—give it.”
“Thank you, Your Excellency.” Adelaide swayed as she stood and curtsied to the king, then drew back next to Regulus. Beale didn’t look pleased as he removed her manacles, but she was too relieved to care.
“You are dismissed, Lieutenant Beale.” The king waved a hand. Beale bowed to the king and departed with a quick glare at Adelaide.
Regulus placed his arm around her shoulders, and Adelaide slumped against his side, exhausted.
“We owe you both our life and our kingdom.” The king inclined his head. “What reward would you ask of us?”
Could they ask to be released from the guard? She didn’t want to appear dismissive of the king’s generosity, but would asking be impertinent? Regulus also seemed unsure since he didn’t speak. She had just been pardoned; maybe humility was best.
“Your Excellency,” Adelaide said with a wobbly curtsy, “your continued rule is a reward in itself.”
The king smiled. “A noble answer, but please. This is your chance to ask anything.” His eyes danced. “We grant you two boons to show our gratitude. The first is our choice, the second is yours. First, in recognition of your service and your sacrifice, we release you, Lady Adelaide Belanger and Lord Regulus Hargreaves of Arrano, from our service. You are free to return to your former lives.”
She curtsied and heard Regulus sigh with relief as he bowed.
“What would you ask of us?” the king pressed.
Before Adelaide thought of an answer, Regulus whispered in her ear. She smiled and nodded.
“Your Excellency, there is only one thing I want in this entire world.” Regulus squeezed her hand. “Would Your Excellency perform our marriage rites?”
