She had slept with Everard and Ita under the stars many times, wrapped in blankets next to a roaring fire—back when she had appreciated the heat of one instead of losing her ability to breathe around it.

‘You shall remain safely within the walls of Hampstead Keep,’ Hodge said. ‘I shall be back at your side before you know it.’

He stopped walking and turned to her. One look at his face made her stomach fall.

Oh God. He is going to kiss me.

She braced, closing her eyes as he leaned in. The sensation was torturous enough without the visual. Cold, thin lips pressed against hers in a manner that he probably considered passionate.

‘I cannot wait to have you in my bed.’ He whispered the words against her mouth.

She swallowed down the nausea rising up her throat. ‘I suppose I should let you get ready for your guests.’ She was very careful to keep her tone cheerful.

He took her hand. ‘I thank God every day that I got you out of that house.’ He kissed her wrist, then offered her a smile. ‘I shall let Trahern know that you are up and about.’

Not Trahern.

She watched the earl walk away, then pressed her eyes closed as she waited for her breathing to return to normal. Only then did she dare a glance up at the sky. Not a bird in sight. It was as empty as the feeling in her chest.

Tugging up the hood of her cloak, she headed for the wall.

CHAPTER 4

The approach of horses had Tatum signalling to the others to take cover. The four defenders dispersed into the trees, making good use of the wide trunks and thick brush. Blackmane watched six English soldiers on horseback pass by, two men in irons trailing behind them. They were bloody-faced and looked ready to fall down.

‘Keep them moving,’ shouted the soldier at the front of the group. ‘We don’t have a lot of light left.’

The guards keeping hold of them gave the chains a sharp pull, and the already-struggling prisoners stumbled forwards.

Blackmane exchanged a look with Hadewaye, who was crouched nearby, a silent form of communication crafted over the years they had served together.

The defenders waited until the soldiers were out of sight and could no longer be heard before cautiously emerging from their hiding places.

‘Why are we hiding from the English?’ Alveye asked, brushing debris off his cloak. ‘They invited us here.’

Tatum stared after the soldiers. ‘I suppose you can differentiate between army horses and wastelander horses, can you?’

‘Fair point.’

‘I’m confused,’ Hadewaye said.

‘That’s not unusual,’ Alveye rebutted.

Hadewaye ignored him. ‘These prisoners in irons who we keep passing, are they being brought in for criminal acts, or are they simply criminals by default?’

‘Likely both,’ Tatum replied, nudging his horse forwards. ‘Let’s keep moving. I suggest we go around our English friends if we still plan on reaching Hampstead Keep before dark.’