Page 104 of Kingdom of Chains

Isabel knew there was no point dwelling on their disappointment. ‘We would appreciate that, thank you.’

Margery flew down and landed on Ita’s shoulder, looking around. Isabel reached out to pet her, but her attention was diverted by the sound of horses. Initially, she had found that sound alarming, but the wastelanders had proven over the previous seven months that they were more than capable of keeping the border secure. They were filled with a fierce determination that no king or lord was brave enough to test.

‘Is that Tolly?’ Ita asked as the horses drew closer.

Isabel narrowed her eyes on the man riding at the front of the group. ‘It is.’ Normally, she looked forward to his visits, but the speed at which he approached induced a healthy amount of anxiety. This was not a social visit.

As she watched him, she could not help but notice how much he looked like Blackmane when he wore that serious expression. A familiar sadness crept in around the edges of her soul.

‘Why does this feel like bad news?’ Ita said beside her.

A sick feeling settled in Isabel’s stomach.

Rabbit walked out to meet the horses. ‘Perhaps he has news of your family.’

That was what she was worried about. It had been over a month since her mother and brother had written to say theywould soon be departing for Maddock House. A delay of some kind had been expected as they waited for her uncle to organise safe passage across the border. But Isabel’s biggest fear was that there was no such thing as safe passage anymore.

The group of horses came to an abrupt stop ten feet away. Tolly dismounted and headed straight for Isabel. Her stomach tightened as she read his expression.

‘Do you have news of my family?’ she asked before he had even reached her.

‘Yes.’ Tolly gave her an apologetic look, confirming it was not good news. ‘They’re alive and well.’

Isabel’s heart slowed right down as she braced for the ‘but’.

‘They’re at Hampstead Keep.’

It was as though he had thrown a pail of icy water over her. Simply the name of the castle spoken aloud was enough to make her vision blur. Ita took hold of her hand and squeezed.

‘I’m guessing they didn’t go there willingly,’ Rabbit said.

Tolly shook his head. ‘Hodge has been keeping a close eye on who crosses the border for many months. Your uncle sent your mother and brother as far south as he could get them, but Hodge still managed to intercept.’

Ita shook her head. ‘Of course he did. The man’s a leech.’

Isabel pulled her hand free and stepped away from the group, taking deep breaths in an attempt to clear her mind. There was a way through this. They had not gotten this far only to fail this close to the finish line. She turned to Tolly. ‘How did you find out? Did my uncle send word or did Hodge?’

‘Hodge. He sent a letter addressed to you. The border guards flagged it.’ He reached into the pocket of his cloak to retrieve it, then held it out to her.

Isabel took the letter. ‘He was always going to make his move eventually. I had simply hoped it would beaftermy motherand brother were safely in Carmarthenshire.’ She unfolded the parchment and began to read.

My beloved,

After many months of reflection, I feel it is time for us to talk. Please join me and your family at Hampstead Keep.

Yours,

H

Even his handwriting made Isabel feel ill. She closed the note and looked at Ita. ‘I have to go.’

‘You can’t be serious,’ Ita replied. ‘He’s laying a trap for you. If you go there, he will never let you leave.’

‘And what do you suppose he will do if I do not go?’

Ita bit her lip. ‘I still think it’s more dangerous to play his games.’

Isabel looked at Tolly. ‘We all know what he is capable of. My family is only safe there for as long as he has the upper hand.’ She sighed. ‘What is the best way to proceed?’