Page 21 of Kingdom of Chains

Hodge wet his lips and looked in the direction of the castle. ‘We will discuss this later in private.’

Dread filled her. ‘There is really nothing to discuss—’

‘Let us go. We have guests.’ He then proceeded to drag her back in the direction of the castle.

She wanted to tell him to let go, that he was hurting her—but he already knew. That was the point. The new bruise would serve as another reminder that the only person who could protect her from him washim.

‘Smile,’ he told her as they neared the entrance to the hall. ‘Light up the room, as you always do.’ He finally released his hold on her.

She cradled her hand briefly before letting it fall to her side. Then, raising her chin, she stepped into the room with a smile.

CHAPTER 7

‘What’s the matter with you?’ Tatum asked, pausing mid-saddling of his horse and looking over at Blackmane.

‘Nothing.’ He was becoming increasingly frustrated with the strap of his saddle bag.

Tatum walked over to him. ‘So you’renotstill angry about the fact that Lady Isabel is coming on the tour?’

Of course he was angry. It was reckless and dangerous—and Hodge was an idiot for agreeing to it. ‘It’s not only dangerous for her but for everyone. Her presence will distract the guards.’

Tatum’s lips twitched. ‘Oh, theguardsare going to be distracted. All the other men and definitely not you.’

‘And when she’s killed, we’ll be blamed.’

Hadewaye mounted his gelding. ‘I don’t think His Lordship will let an arrow or weapon anywhere near her. He’s rather protective.’

‘Perhaps a more accurate term isoverprotective,’ Alveye said, joining the conversation. ‘He holds on to her like she might flee at any moment. Have you noticed that?’

Oh, Blackmane had noticed all right.

‘People in love are weird—period,’ Tatum said. ‘The way they behave generally is unsettling.’

Alveye laughed. ‘And that’s why you’ll die alone.’

‘I don’t think his feelings are reciprocated,’ Hadewaye said. ‘Lady Isabel is simply doing what she must to keep her family safe. And he holds on to her that way because she probablyistempted to flee. I certainly would be.’

Blackmane checked the girth of his saddle before gathering the reins. ‘Doesn’t matter why they’re together or how they feel about each other. It only matters that the death toll during this assignment is kept to a minimum.’ He landed softly in the saddle. ‘That said, if Hodge did love her, he wouldn’t be bringing her into a war zone.’

Alveye wagged a finger in his direction. ‘Nowyouwill make a great husband one day.’

Tatum frowned. ‘So I’m to die alone while Blackheart here, who hates the entire world and everyone in it, is destined to be a great husband? That’s your assessment of things?’

Hadewaye’s eyes returned to him. ‘How come you get away with calling him Blackheart, but when one ofussays it, we get shoved off our horse?’

Tatum returned to his mare. ‘Because I’m his commander, and the respect runs deep.’

‘Or maybe I’m just waiting for you to get on your horse,’ Blackmane said.

The others laughed, then fell silent when Hodge approached on horseback.

‘Good morning,’ the earl called to the group. ‘Are we all ready for day one?’

Blackmane busied himself with the saddlebag once more, leaving the others to respond. His gaze drifted to Isabel, who was at the far end of the mounting yard with her mother and brother. Her hair was half up, her face scrubbed clean. She wore a simplegreen dress beneath a heavy cloak and riding boots. At least she was dressed sensibly for the journey. He watched as she hugged them farewell before walking over to her waiting horse.

‘Trahern has been my trusted guard for many years,’ Hodge was saying to Tatum. ‘He will protect Lady Isabel with his life.’

That got Blackmane’s attention. His eyes went to the seasoned guard Hodge was referring to, a greying man whose reaction time would likely leave a lot to be desired.