They had to leave for Chadora. They should have left two days ago. Yet the timing felt very off. Blackmane wanted to stay to ensure Isabel did not do anything reckless and his brother did not die—again.

He glanced over at Ita, who continued to calmly rock her mother. But someone was missing from the picture now.

Isabel.

He turned, searching for her.

‘What’s wrong?’ Tatum asked.

Blackmane turned in a full circle. ‘Where’s Isabel?’

They all looked around.

‘She can’t have gone far,’ Thorn said.

Blackmane had an image in his head of her being snatched up by a soldier while they stood there talking, but then he realised Ita’s horse was also missing.

He made a dash for his mare.

‘Talk to me,’ Tatum said, running after him.

Blackmane leapt onto his horse. ‘She’s gone to hand herself in.’

‘You need to let her go,’ Ita called to him. ‘I know it’s scary, but if it keeps a few more people alive, then it’ll be worth it.’

Blackmane pressed his teeth together. ‘He nearly killed her.’

‘And now she knows what he’s capable of,’ Ita replied. ‘She’s smarter and stronger than you think. We’re all here for the same reason—to save lives.’ She paused. ‘Let her do her part.’

Blackmane shook his head repeatedly, eyes going to Tatum.

The commander nodded once. ‘It was her choice to go.’

How was he expected to do nothing when her scent remained on his skin, the memory of her arched beneath him barely a few hours old? But Tatum was right. It was her choice, and he had to respect it.

He exhaled long and hard, then dismounted, walking circles for a minute. His feet stopped, and he looked at the others. ‘All right. You have until the end of the day tomorrow to get her out, or I’m going in.’

Tatum rubbed his forehead. ‘I guess we’re staying another day.’

Chapter 25

CHAPTER 25

Isabel returned to the area where they had cut Yvaine down, waiting amid the dead for somebody from the camp to arrive. She did not have to wait long. A pair of guards appeared minutes later, a horse trailing behind them with a dead man bound to its back. He was number five. Five people were dead simply because Hodge refused to be separated from her.

‘Well, well, well,’ said one of the guards. ‘Who do we have here?’

She raised her chin. ‘I think you know who I am. Now, escort me back to the camp so this insanity can stop.’

The other guard chuckled. ‘On your horse, then. We don’t have much light left.’

She did as she was told. ‘How do we get word to His Lordship that I am on my way so no more people die?’

‘We don’t,’ the second man said.