Page 49 of Kingdom of Chains

Her eyes widened with realisation. ‘Does that make us enemies? Will we meet on the battlefield, swords in hand and bloody-faced, eyes locking on each other mere moments before our fate is decided?’

He bit back another smile. ‘I think you’re getting yourself confused with Isabel of Conches.’

‘Nowshecould handle a sword.’

‘She could, yes.’

Isabel fell silent for a few seconds. ‘Would you struggle to kill me if ordered to?’

‘Yes.’

The speed of his reply made her chest feel light. ‘That might be the nicest thing you have ever said to me.’

They watched each other for a moment.

‘What am I supposed to do now?’ she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

‘That depends on the outcome you’re chasing. The safest path is to return to Hodge and forget everything you just learned. Let Ita remain dead, and avoid her mother when you reach the camp.’

‘What if I chose to be dead too?’

His brow creased with concern. ‘That’s not as easy as you think. If the woman I loved went missing, I wouldn’t stop searching until I had a corpse to confirm it.’

‘So, you want me to marry him?’

‘I want yousafe.’

There was that feeling in her chest again. ‘I stand corrected.Thatwas the nicest thing you have ever said to me.’

He immediately looked away. ‘Why don’t you get some sleep? You’ll think more clearly in the morning.’

She nodded. ‘All right.’

He gestured for her to go ahead of him, and they made their way back to the camp. When they arrived, Ita stood and walked over to Isabel, hugging her tightly.

‘I’m sorry,’ she whispered.

Isabel pressed her eyes closed. ‘It is not your fault. You did what you had to.’

Ita released her and dabbed the corner of her eye. ‘I’m going to take first watch.’

‘Hadewaye’s on watch,’ Blackmane said.

She looked directly at him. ‘Forgive me, defender, if I don’t entrust the safety of my group to the enemy.’ Smirking, she disappeared into the dark.

Blackmane went to add another log to the fire but, after seeing Isabel’s face, changed his mind.

‘Have you ever slept outdoors before?’ he asked.

‘In the summer, when we were children.’

‘The temperature will continue to drop. You’re going to want to sleep close to the fire.’

She looked around. ‘What if one of the logs does that popping thing and embers land on the blanket?’

‘It’s wool. It won’t burn.’

‘Or lands in my hair? That happened to a cousin of mine once.’