Page 107 of Kingdom of Chains

‘Drag them? No. A simple request will suffice. I imagine they will be keen to see me also.’

He watched her for the longest time before finally nodding. ‘Very well.’ Turning to one of the guards, he said, ‘Bring Lady Gwenore and her son down to the gate.’

A few tense minutes passed, the men glaring at one another while Isabel stared at the pommel of her saddle. Finally, her mother and brother appeared, the guard in tow. The sight of them made Isabel’s chest tighten and eyes burn, but she pushed all of her emotions down. That would have to wait.

‘Belle,’ her mother said, her voice trembling.

Everard was glaring in Hodge’s direction.

‘Are you both all right?’ Isabel asked, looking between them.

‘No,’ Everard replied. ‘None of this is all right.’

Hodge ignored the boy. ‘Now that we have established that everyone is well, shall we go inside? I believe roast chicken is on the menu, and I know that is one of your favourites, my beloved.’

‘I think we are a little past endearments,’ she said. ‘You may call me Isabel.’

He drew a slow breath. ‘Very well.’

It was frustrating having her family so close but being unable to reach them without appeasing him first. Her cold eyes bored into him. ‘What do you want, my lord?’

‘Right now? Dinner.’

She blinked slowly. ‘You are wasting both our time. Tell me what you hoped to achieve by luring me here.’

He tilted his head and regarded her for a long moment. ‘That place has changed you. You have lost your warmth and kind spirit.’

‘That place has not changed me.Youchanged me. Youbrokeme. It is going to take some time to heal and regain the warmth you siphoned from my very bones.’

Her mother dropped her gaze while Everard continued to glower at Hodge.

‘Clearly we have a lot to discuss,’ Hodge said.

‘Then speak fast’ was Tolly’s reply. ‘We have a long ride back to Llanelieu.’

Hodge looked between the pair of them. ‘This is the company you choose to keep now?’

Isabel nodded. ‘Yes. Now tell me what needs to happen in order for you to let my family go.’

‘Go?’ Hodge laughed. ‘They just got here. We are finally all together again, as we were before.’ He waved her in. ‘Come inside. Please. This is silly.’

She wanted to scream at him, but that would help no one. ‘I do not want to come inside. I do not want to eat roast chicken with you.’

Hodge frowned. ‘Now you are being incredibly ill-mannered.’

Isabel pressed her eyes closed as she realised they had reachedthatpart of the game. ‘If you want me to come inside the castle, you will need to let them leave.’ She opened her eyes. ‘You do not get both.’

Everard’s glare cut to her. ‘What?’

‘I echo that sentiment,’ Tolly said.

Her eyes went to him. ‘We both know what this is. It is a simple exchange.’

Gwenore’s face fell. ‘We will not leave without you.’

Naturally, Hodge remained completely silent, content to let this part play out.

‘Who do you want at your dinner table?’ Isabel asked him. ‘Me or them?’