Tolly removed his cloak and wrapped it around Isabel. She had not realised how cold she was until the wool enclosed her. Then the shivering began. Blackmane must have noticed, because he stopped the horse and moved her in front of him. It was surprising how much heat she got from those arms being around her. Defenders were also made of flesh and blood. If she was cold, there was a good chance he was too.

‘I can still taste the water,’ she said into his neck.

‘Try not to think about it.’

Her eyes closed. ‘I cannot believe what you just did for me.’

He did not reply.

‘I have missed you,’ she whispered.

Still no reply.

Tolly slowed his horse to ride alongside them. ‘Patrol point ahead. Once we’re through, we’re in the clear.’

It would be the first time in her adult life that everyone she cared about was safe at the same time. Safe and free.

The wastelanders at the checkpoints were not standing in the middle of the road ready to ask questions. They came from the trees on either side, bows loaded and aimed at the men. Both Tolly and Blackmane had expected them, but that did not stop the defender from tensing when they appeared.

A few questions later, they were on their way once more.

The temperature continued to drop, and Isabel continued to shiver. It was fine, though. She was safe. She was safe with him.

By the time they reached Llanelieu, light was beginning to creep in, turning their surroundings an eerie grey. Isabel did not know what to expect when they arrived at Maddock House. Would he lower her to the ground and go on his way? Would he come inside? Maybe pretend he did not have to return to Chadora?

The separation was inevitable.

‘Will you rest your horse a while?’ she said against his stubbly skin.

He nodded. ‘Yes.’

She was not prepared for how she would feel laying eyes on Maddock House again. She definitely was not prepared for the sight of her mother, her brother, and Ita standing together out front. There were a few people missing from this picture, but it was still more than she could have hoped for after such a long famine and period of unrest. It was a lot more than most people had.

Everard ran out to help Isabel down from the horse. She hugged him tightly. He had grown taller in the months that they had been separated.

‘You smell so bad,’ he told her.

She might have smiled had she not been so cold. The shivering had depleted her of any remaining energy.

Gwenore appeared beside them. Isabel assumed her mother would wait until she was clean before making any physical contact but was surprised by an embrace.

‘Forgive me,’ Gwenore whispered.

Isabel drew back to look at her. ‘For what?’

Her mother’s eyes shone with unshed tears. ‘For all of it.’