Kingdom of Chains by Tanya Bird

Author:Tanya Bird [Bird, Tanya]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-11-28T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 21

Isabel woke to warm fingers brushing her cheek. She forced her heavy eyes open and found Blackmane seated next to her, framed by grey light.

‘What happened to your face?’ he asked, his voice like ice.

She pushed herself up into a seated position. ‘I already told you what happened.’

‘He did this?’

She nodded.

‘And the marks on your neck?’

‘Like I said, he scared even himself.’

‘I don’t give a shit what he felt.’ He held up her arms between them. ‘These are fresh. He tie you up as well?’

The marks were barely noticeable. He must have been studying her closely before she woke. ‘He wanted to make sure I did not go anywhere.’

He gently lowered her arms before standing up and going over to the horse. ‘We need to get moving.’

She watched his rigid posture from the back. ‘Are you angry?’

‘Yes.’

‘At me?’

‘Not at you.’

She hugged her knees. ‘Love makes people do crazy things.’

He walked over to her and snatched up the blanket. ‘Love. Right.’

She stood and began to help him. ‘I left. What more do you want?’

‘To break his face, for a start.’ He jerked the bedroll off the ground. ‘He doesn’t get to do that again.’

He was clearly feeling helpless, and she could see how uncomfortable he was in that state. ‘If it helps, I plan on staying as far away from him as I can.’

He nodded. ‘Show me your hands.’

She held them out so he could see the splinters.

‘These aren’t splinters,’ he said, going to fetch his medic kit. ‘You have entire sticks wedged beneath your skin.’ He took out a small metal instrument, which he used to grab the end of the splinters, gently pulling them out one at a time.

‘Yours would have held up significantly better,’ she said, attempting to lighten the mood.

‘Not much gets through a defender’s calloused palm—except maybe a sword.’ He picked up his waterskin. ‘Here.’

She held them out so he could pour some water over them, wincing as he did so.

His gaze flicked up to meet hers. ‘Sorry,’ he said quietly.

Wounds cleaned, he secured the last few items, then did a final check of the girth.

‘So, now we find Ita and Tatum, and then you go home?’ she said to his back.

He nodded. ‘That’s right.’

She walked to the front of the horse, stroking the mare’s face as she looked up at the sky. There was still no sign of Margery. ‘I need to get word to my family about everything that has happened. I know Hodge appears to adore my mother and brother, but I worry he will use them as pawns against me.’

He glanced in her direction. ‘I think that’s a valid fear. Do they have somewhere safe they can go? At least until the dust settles?’

‘My uncle has a small farm a few hours east of Hampstead Keep. The best part is I do not think His Lordship knows anything of it.’

Blackmane paused what he was doing. ‘Good. You should go there too. Be with your family.’

She stared back at him. ‘Except that I wish to remain here in Carmarthenshire.

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