‘I did not know the extent of his… moods.’ She paused. ‘All I heard from him was how much he loved her, how he wanted to take care of her.’

‘Oh, we all bore witness to his outpourings of love.’ He glanced at Ita. ‘But I don’t know a single person who felt comfortable seeing it.’

‘I thought things would improve after they were wed,’ Gwenore admitted.

‘You mean you hoped things would improve. For the sake of your son, no doubt.’

Gwenore looked away. ‘Despite what you think of me, defender, I am keen to get my daughter out of there. I want her safe.’

Ita hugged herself and exhaled. ‘I don’t see how that’s possible.’

Blackmane was far from defeated. ‘I’m going to Hampstead Keep. I’ll find a way.’

‘I am coming with you,’ Everard said, returning to the group. He let the mare graze.

‘Absolutely not,’ Gwenore said.

‘He will need some help, Mother.’

Tolly reached out and squeezed the boy’s shoulder. ‘I’m going with him. Rest easy.’

Blackmane studied his brother’s tired face. ‘You just got back from there and look ready to fall down.’

‘That’s because you punched me in the face.’

‘He did get some sleep,’ Ita said. ‘He nodded off in his chair mid-meal and didn’t wake until he heard your horse approaching.’

‘I was just resting my eyes.’

Ita frowned. ‘While pretend snoring?’

Blackmane had no choice but to accept the help because he needed it. ‘An army of two, then.’

‘What exactly is your plan?’ Ita asked.

Tolly rubbed his jaw. ‘You’re assuming he has one.’

‘Defenders always have a plan,’ Blackmane replied. ‘They just rarely work out.’

Ita gestured to the house. ‘At least come in and have something to eat before you leave.’

Blackmane did not feel right dining in Isabel’s home while she was trapped with Hodge. ‘Thanks, but I need to get going.’

‘Then I’ll pack you something to take with you,’ Ita said, disappearing into the house.

Everard ran to fetch Tolly’s horse.

‘Tell me you can get her out of that place,’ Gwenore said, sounding more like a concerned mother now.

At least she finally appeared to be grasping the danger Isabel was in.

‘I’ll do my best.’

Chapter 36

CHAPTER 36

It was chilling to step inside her old quarters and find everything as it was before she left. The bed made. Her clothes still on hangers. The cage in the corner, so painfully symbolic. And the feathers she used to collect still hung from the bedhead.

It was as though she had never left.

For the next three days, Isabel remained in her quarters. She declined every invitation from Hodge, until he became so fed up that he yelled through her door, ‘If you do not eat with me, then you do not eat at all.’

So she went without food.