He lowered his lips to hers. She tasted of smoke and salt. ‘The world has enough killers. What it doesn’t have is enough light. You were never supposed to hold a bow in your hands. You were put on this earth to illuminate the darkness.’

She swallowed, eyes welling up. ‘What if he took all the light from me?’

‘Impossible. No mortal can steal from the sun.’

She buried her face in his shoulder and cried silently. He let her cry, knowing first-hand what holding trauma inside did to a person. He did not want that for her.

Margery dropped down onto the ground in front of them, tucking in her wings and walking over to Isabel with what Blackmane imagined to be a worried expression.

‘I’ll never judge your choice of pet again,’ he said.

Isabel reached for the eagle and placed her on her lap, kissing her feathery back. ‘Thank you,’ she whispered. ‘He will never lock either of us up ever again.’

Blackmane watched them comfort each other while Hodge’s corpse was carried out of the house behind them.

‘If my purpose is to illuminate the darkness,’ Isabel said, ‘then what is your purpose?’

He leaned forwards and kissed her shoulder. ‘To guard your light.’ When he noticed Margery looking at him, he reached out and ran a finger down her beak. ‘It’s all right. We’ll do it together.’

Epilogue

EPILOGUE

Isabel took aim at the hare, staring at it down her arrow. The moment it stilled, she released and watched it sail through the air—landing ten feet from her target. The hare paused, eating momentarily, looking around before resuming.

‘How are you getting worse?’ Ita asked from her viewing spot.

‘I am not getting worse.’ Isabel looked to Blackmane, who was beside her. ‘Am I?’

He pinched the bridge of his nose. ‘The important thing is you’re practicing.’

Her shoulders fell. ‘Oh. I see.’

He stepped up and took the bow from her, kissing her as he did so.

‘You did say my hands were never meant to hold a bow,’ she said brightly.

‘Or a sword, apparently,’ Ita said. ‘Or a knife, or an axe—’

‘Yes, all right,’ Isabel said. ‘Thank you for your input.’ Her eyes remained on a smirking Blackmane. ‘Same time tomorrow?’

He returned to kiss her again. ‘I have work, remember?’ He had been put in charge of training the younger recruits as well as running weekly sessions for experienced soldiers wanting to sharpen their skills.

Isabel looked expectantly at Ita.

‘I’m attending the session too’ was her reply.

Isabel exhaled. ‘Then can I attend?’

‘No,’ Blackmane and Ita replied at the same time.

Ita walked over and threaded her arm through Isabel’s. ‘You should work on the new garden. There is not a person in Llanelieu who matches your skills there.’

‘Or maybe I will practice on my own.’