‘I want you to show me the rest.’ Colour filled her cheeks. ‘Unless you do not want to. Then absolutely, we will both exit the water and sensibly put on our clothes.’

He dropped his mouth to her neck, kissing once, twice. ‘Do you understand what you’re asking for?’

She nodded.

‘I need words,’ he said.

‘Yes. I understand.’

His arms tightened around her, teeth scraping gently on her skin, sending shivers of pleasure along her spine.

‘You want me to be the man who ruins you?’ he asked.

She took hold of his face, forcing him to meet her eyes. ‘You think this is what ruins a woman? Hodge completely destroyed me without ever removing one item of clothing.’ She dropped her forehead to his. ‘I do not want you to ruin me. I want you to fix what he broke.’

His eyes were darker than the water they swam in. ‘I want to kill him.’

She swallowed. ‘I know.’

Blackmane drew her close until she was flush against him, then descended on her.

Chapter 24

CHAPTER 24

Isabel lay curled against Blackmane, her body limp.

‘I can’t believe I’m saying this, but we need to get dressed,’ Blackmane said, his voice rumbling against her shoulder.

Goose bumps broke out down her arm. She was so content there, trapped beneath his heavy leg, that she thought she might never put clothes on again. But Blackmane had other ideas. Sitting up, he passed her the pile of folded clothes Genevieve had given her, then reached for his uniform.

‘I’m going to take you to Ita. She’ll meet us a few miles from here before sundown. Hodge should be on his way back to the camp by then.’

Isabel reluctantly sat up and tugged on the dress. Eyeing the scar on his shoulder, she reached out, touching it. ‘Where were you when this happened?’

‘Departing Harlech Castle—in a rush.’

She buttoned her dress while he tugged on his shirt. ‘Was Tatum with you?’

‘Yes.’

‘And Alveye and Hadewaye?’

‘Yes.’

‘Did they save your life?’

He slid her boots in front of her. ‘Why do you ask?’

She loosened the laces. ‘I am simply trying to better understand you.’

‘And what have you figured out so far?’

She stood, combing her hair out with her fingers. ‘That you are very loyal to those who have earned the privilege.’

He did not respond.

‘Your king, your comrades, your family.’ She began plaiting her hair. ‘And then there is me.’

He looked up while buckling his belt. ‘What does that mean?’

‘It means everything is as it should be.’ She forced a smile.

He regarded her a moment. ‘Don’t tell me you’re regretting what we did already.’

‘No.’ Her reply was instant. ‘I was simply pointing out the hierarchy of things.’

He nodded slowly. ‘And what about you? There’s your family, Ita, Yvaine, Margery. All the people in that camp. Your destroyed house. Where do I fall?’