The heat in his stare made her step back, and he let go of her the second she did. ‘My father would not let me near weapons of any kind. He wanted me to be a proper lady, like my mother. I do regularly watch my brother spar, however. I have often wondered if I have it in me to kill a man.’

‘And what did you decide?’

‘The right man, perhaps.’ She saw him smile at the ground. Smile. ‘Will you help me?’

He looked up. ‘Kill a man? That depends on the who and why.’

‘I meant help me get them out.’

‘I know what you meant.’ He exhaled. ‘Not unless I’m ordered to.’

‘But you are a defender. You protect people.’

‘A defender who follows orders, and I’ve been instructed to observe and ensure Hodge gets safely back to Hampstead Keep.’

‘Well, that is terribly inconvenient.’

He watched her with an amused expression.

‘What if I decide to get my revenge on Hodge?’

‘I’d suggest you do that in private to avoid my interference.’

Her eyes widened with realisation. ‘Does that make us enemies? Will we meet on the battlefield, swords in hand and bloody-faced, eyes locking on each other mere moments before our fate is decided?’

He bit back another smile. ‘I think you’re getting yourself confused with Isabel of Conches.’

‘Now she could handle a sword.’

‘She could, yes.’

Isabel fell silent for a few seconds. ‘Would you struggle to kill me if ordered to?’

‘Yes.’

The speed of his reply made her chest feel light. ‘That might be the nicest thing you have ever said to me.’

They watched each other for a moment.

‘What am I supposed to do now?’ she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

‘That depends on the outcome you’re chasing. The safest path is to return to Hodge and forget everything you just learned. Let Ita remain dead, and avoid her mother when you reach the camp.’

‘What if I chose to be dead too?’

His brow creased with concern. ‘That’s not as easy as you think. If the woman I loved went missing, I wouldn’t stop searching until I had a corpse to confirm it.’

‘So, you want me to marry him?’

‘I want you safe.’

There was that feeling in her chest again. ‘I stand corrected. That was the nicest thing you have ever said to me.’

He immediately looked away. ‘Why don’t you get some sleep? You’ll think more clearly in the morning.’

She nodded. ‘All right.’

He gestured for her to go ahead of him, and they made their way back to the camp. When they arrived, Ita stood and walked over to Isabel, hugging her tightly.

‘I’m sorry,’ she whispered.

Isabel pressed her eyes closed. ‘It is not your fault. You did what you had to.’

Ita released her and dabbed the corner of her eye. ‘I’m going to take first watch.’

‘Hadewaye’s on watch,’ Blackmane said.

She looked directly at him. ‘Forgive me, defender, if I don’t entrust the safety of my group to the enemy.’ Smirking, she disappeared into the dark.