Kingdom of Chains
KINGDOM OF CHAINS
TANYA BIRD
Copyright © 2022 by Tanya Bird
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Trigger warning: Domestic violence
(not between hero and heroine)
CONTENTS
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Epilogue
Where to now?
Acknowledgments
Also by Tanya Bird
CHAPTER 1
Isabel chased the eagle’s shadow along the dewy lawn, arms outstretched like a pair of wings. ‘You are in a lot of trouble, young lady!’ she shouted up at the bird before coming to a stop, breathless and smiling. She raised one arm high in the air. Margery circled her a few times before swooping down and landing gracefully on her.
‘It has been two days, and I have been sick to my stomach with worry. It is hardly fair that I am stuck here, alone, whenever you fly off on one of your little adventures.’
The eagle watched her closely as she delivered the lecture.
‘And what if Lord Hodge had seen you? If he learns that I have been letting you out of your cage, then we will both be in trou—’ Her eyebrows tugged together when she noticed a piece of fabric tied around the eagle’s leg. She guided the bird to her shoulder so she could use both hands to retrieve it. Someone had tied it neatly and carefully—except that was impossible. Margery did not stand still long enough for people to tie things to her. Plus, there were only two people on the planet who could handle the golden eagle—and one of them was dead.
Ita. My sweet Ita.
Five years on, and grief still hit Isabel like a runaway wagon every time her friend came to mind.
‘Is there something you wish to tell me?’ she asked, kissing Margery’s beak. ‘I swear before God, if I find out you have a secret family outside these walls—’
‘Why is that thing out of its cage?’
Isabel jumped at the sound of Lord Hodge’s voice behind her, and Margery took flight. Oh, how Isabel wished she had wings.
Clearing her throat, she called to the eagle, ‘Yes, off you go. Straight back to your cage. I shall be there to lock all windows and doors momentarily.’ Forcing a smile, she turned to face the new Earl of Hereford. ‘Good afternoon, my lord.’