Blackmane walked her horse over to her. ‘We’re leaving.’

She turned to him and looked over at Hodge to ensure he was not listening. ‘At some point you will find yourself in need of help. I want you to know that you can count on me when the time comes.’

His eyes shone with amusement. ‘You’re going to help me?’

‘Yes.’ Colour filled her cheeks.

He nodded slowly. ‘All right.’ He watched her a moment, then said, ‘You getting on?’

She gathered the reins and mounted without any help from him. Someone had paid attention earlier.

Blackmane let go of the bridle and returned to his own horse, saying to Tatum as he passed, ‘The lady rides with me.’

Lord Hodge looked up at that. ‘Lady Isabel is to remain at my side at all times.’

Blackmane looked tiredly in his direction. ‘We’re in the heart of enemy territory, and one third of your unit is dead or injured. You have no idea where the rest of the wastelanders are located, how many there are, or how far they’re willing to go to see you dead. Do you want Lady Isabel at your side, or do you want her safe? You don’t get both.’

A tense silence followed. Hodge’s face went all blotchy before he finally said, ‘If anything happens to her, I will have your head, defender.’

Alveye and Hadewaye exchanged a look that translated to ‘Good luck with that’ while Blackmane swung himself into the saddle. He glanced at Isabel with an annoyed expression. ‘Let’s go.’

She followed him without hesitation, feeling the safest she had in years despite everything that had just occurred. Her eyes went skyward, where she glimpsed an eagle circling far above them. One corner of her mouth lifted before she looked back at the road.

CHAPTER 9

Blackmane kept Isabel at the back of the group, not only because it was the safest place for her, but because he did not like the thought of Hodge’s eyes burning holes in their backs all afternoon. She seemed to breathe easier away from him. Blackmane also noticed that she kept her horse right beside his, and for once, he did not mind—for safety reasons.

An hour into their silent ride, she leaned in and whispered, ‘I know you are angry that I came, but I hope you understand why I did.’

Blackmane glanced at Hodge to see if he had heard, but the collective thud of horse hooves drowned out the conversation. ‘I get it. You wanted to visit your old house.’

Her eyes went to him. ‘I wanted to go home.’

He met her gaze. ‘How long did you live in Llanelieu?’

‘Fifteen years. I was born in Maddock House, lived there right up until my mother married Lord Tompkin.’

He caught the bitterness in her tone when she said that last part. ‘How did that match come about?’

Hodge glanced over his shoulder, looking between them, then faced forwards again.