Page 103 of Kingdom of Chains

His brother sighed. ‘For the record, I liked her for you.’

Blackmane had liked her for himself too. ‘She can do a lot better than a hardened defender.’

‘That’s not what she sees. She sees a loyal, protective man who will go to extraordinary lengths for the people he loves.’ He looked out to sea. ‘Even forcing them onto a ship in the hope of saving their life.’

‘An act you hated me for.’

He nodded in agreement. ‘As a child, I did. But as a man…’

Blackmane’s throat began to burn. ‘I should have gotten on that ship with you.’

‘You really should have. But instead, you stayed to care for the dying, knowing every second spent in their company meant a higher chance of you contracting the pox.’ His eyes returned to Blackmane. ‘I think that makes you a catch.’ He stepped back from the wall. ‘She gets it. She’s not bitter about your leaving. Your life’s here. Your friends are here.’ He gestured towards the barracks. ‘That terrifying warden is here.’

Blackmane nodded. ‘He’s a tough man to leave behind.’

The corners of Tolly’s mouth lifted, and then he looked over his shoulder. ‘I have to go. Thorn’s waiting for me at the stables. I didn’t want to go without seeing you.’ He looked back at Blackmane. ‘Don’t be a stranger. I know I’m not much of a draw, but no one will shoot you if you want to come visit sometime.’

When his brother went to leave, Blackmane said, ‘You’re wrong. You’re enough of a draw.’

Tolly wet his lips and glanced out to sea a final time. ‘Take care of yourself, brother.’

A nod. ‘You too.’

Blackmane watched him walk away, chest pinching as Tolly disappeared into the turret. He stood there for a full minute, notnearly exhausted enough, watching the water pool at his feet, then went to clean himself up.

CHAPTER 33

Isabel stood with Ita in front of Maddock House, the hood of her cloak pulled up to protect her ears from the cold, wintery air, staring up at the roof.

‘It is definitely even?’ she asked.

‘Definitely.’ Though Ita sounded less sure than the last time Isabel had asked the question. ‘But even if there was aslightheight difference, which there isn’t, it’s an excellent thatched roof for a first effort.’

Isabel nodded in agreement. ‘Even if the left side was alittlehigher than the right side, which it is not, it is not so drastic that anyone would notice.’

‘Agreed. We’ve been standing here for the past half an hour, actively searching for faults. It’s only natural that we would start to imagine them.’

Isabel let out a relieved breath. ‘You are quite right. We are viewing it through rather critical eyes. It is fine.’

‘More than fine.’

The sound of footsteps had the women looking over their shoulders. Rabbit approached, eyeing the roof as he walked.

‘What do you think?’ Ita asked.

He stopped beside her, crossing his arms as he stared up at the newly finished house. ‘The left side’s higher than the right.’

Ita jabbed him with her elbow.

He made an ‘oof’ sound, then raised his hands. ‘What?’

‘You could have commented on our excellent technique instead of pointing out its flaws.’

‘Lied, you mean?’

Isabel’s chest deflated. ‘But it is salvageable, yes?’

‘Everything’s salvageable in the wastelands,’ Rabbit replied. ‘I can give you a hand, if you like?’