Page 95 of Kingdom of Chains

Isabel felt hot tears slide down her temples before her eyes sank shut.

‘Belle.’

That was Ita’s voice singing her name. There was instant comfort in hearing it, like stepping into a warm bath.

‘Open your eyes,’ Ita urged. ‘Look who’s here to see you.’

Isabel slowly peeled her eyes open and found an eagle mere inches from her face.

‘See?’ Ita said, sitting on the edge of the bed. ‘I told you she wasn’t dead.’

Margery turned her head back and forth, studying Isabel.

‘I agree.’ Ita nodded. ‘She does look like she’s been run over by a wagon three times and left to bleed out, but we must remember what my mother always used to say. Some thoughts areinsidethoughts. Let’s not make her feel any worse.’

Isabel went to speak, but her tongue was stuck to the roof of her mouth. It took a moment to work everything loose. ‘Water, please?’

Ita rose to fetch it. ‘As much as I’d enjoy watching you spill water all over yourself, we should probably get you sitting up first.’ She slid her hand beneath Isabel’s back and gently raised her up, stuffing a pillow behind her in the process.

Isabel looked down and saw one of her arms was in a sling.

‘Genevieve recommended you keep that on for a few days to avoid the temptation of using it and potentially reopening the wound.’ She poured some water and brought it to Isabel’s mouth.

Isabel emptied the cup, then looked around the unfamiliar room. ‘Where are we?’

‘Talgarth. They’ve turned the whole town into an almshouse for the injured.’ Ita smiled mischievously. ‘We did it, you know. We took the camp. The remaining guards were marched to the border.’ She glanced out the window. ‘And now everyone is moving about out in the open, above ground, without fear of being captured or having to pack up one’s life with a moment’s notice.’

Isabel watched Margery settle herself in the blankets, then rested her head back against the wall. It was amazing how exhausting the act of sitting still could be. ‘Did you really remove my family from Hampstead Keep?’

‘They removed themselves, really. I was just the messenger.’ She returned to the bed. ‘Though I think it took them a moment to accept what I was telling them.’

Isabel blinked up at the ceiling. ‘Did they go to my uncle’s?’

‘I believe that was the plan, yes.’ She took Isabel’s hand. ‘It might be a while before you see them again, given the state of things.’

Isabel lifted her head. ‘The state of things?’

‘I mean with the border now in place. Plus, King Edward announced a temporary travel ban between England and Wales.’

Isabel relaxed against the wall again. ‘So long as they are safe, I suppose.’

‘Your mother is going to hate living on a farm.’

‘No question.’ There was a spell of silence before Isabel asked, ‘How did you get here so quickly?’

Ita laughed. ‘I didn’t get here quickly. You slept for three days.’

Isabel’s head popped up again. ‘Three days?’

Ita suppressed a smile. ‘Genevieve was able to rouse you enough to swallow some water, so she was happy with that.’ She went to pour Isabel another drink. ‘I’m under strict instructions to force-feed you fluids when you wake up. How’s the pain?’

‘Fine,’ she lied. ‘So everyone is out of the camp?’

‘Every last person. I don’t think Lord Hodge will be returning any time soon—especially with a sore hand.’ She made a pouty face. ‘You know what a whiner he is.’

Isabel thought back to their last encounter. She could only remember snippets. ‘Someone shot him. Through the hand?’

‘Yes. Much to everyone’s disappointment. No idea why Tolly didn’t shoot him in the face and be done with it. I guess he was trying to prevent his brother from getting in trouble.’