Page 15 of Kingdom of Chains

That was not good.

‘Time to go,’ Blackmane said.

When he went to head back into the turret, she did not follow. She was pressed up against the wall—not moving.

He clicked his fingers in front of her face. ‘There are people shooting fire at us.’

She turned her head in his direction, moving as though the action took enormous effort. ‘Will the castle burn?’

There was genuine terror in her voice. His gaze fell to her scarred hand. ‘No. The grounds are too wet.’

‘You are sure?’

He was mostly sure. He offered his hand. ‘Come on. I’ll get you to the castle.’

She stared at the open hand for the longest time before finally reaching for it. But as she did, a burning arrow smackedthe wall walk a few feet from them and skated across the stone to the other side. Isabel dropped into a crouch, arms going over her head.

Blackmane cursed, then walked over to the arrow, stomping the flame out with his boot. Returning, he pulled her to her feet and dragged her into the turret. ‘You focus on walking and let me worry about the rest, all right?’

She nodded.

Guards swarmed the wall now, running back and forth while putting out small fires.

‘Down you go,’ he said when they reached the narrow steps. ‘I’ll be right behind you.’

Smoke drifted up the stairwell, and she immediately backed up when she saw it, breathing hard and fast. He took her hand again and led the way, keeping her close behind him. The farther down they got, the darker it became and the thicker the smoke was. He could hear her sharp intakes of breath every time she misjudged a step, while his own feet moved swiftly and instinctively down the stairwell.

When they reached the bottom of the turret, Blackmane saw through the door that a nearby garden bed was on fire, most likely laid with straw. Two stable boys were attempting to contain it. Isabel froze the second she spotted the flames. When he tried to pull her towards it, she anchored her feet.

‘I cannot breathe,’ she said, now hyperventilating.

‘It’ll be better outside. Keep moving.’

She shook her head.

Normally he would instruct a person paralysed by fear to take a few deep breaths, but the turret was full of smoke. So he did the only thing he could. He picked her up and carried her out, almost colliding with Tatum in the process. The commander looked down at the woman clinging to him, her face buried in his uniform.

‘I see the perimeter check was eventful,’ he said.

Blackmane was never going to hear the end of this.

They moved away from the fire, and then Blackmane set Isabel down on the ground. He kept hold of her while she drew greedy breaths.

Tatum nodded towards Isabel. ‘Our generous host is tearing the castle apart looking for her. I suggest you take her straight inside.’

Blackmane nodded. ‘I’ll meet you on the wall.’

Tatum took off at a jog, disappearing into the smoke-filled turret.

Another arrow landed on the ground nearby, sending Isabel scampering sideways. Luckily, Blackmane still had hold of her.

‘Close your eyes.’ It was better if she did not see the fireballs raining down on them.

Isabel pressed her eyes shut and held tightly to his hand as they ran along the path towards the castle. At least her legs were working again.

‘Almost there,’ he said, guiding her up the front steps.

A moment later they were through the door. He slammed it shut behind them. The only sound inside was Isabel’s fast breaths.