Page 92 of Kingdom of Chains
‘My beloved,’ Hodge began, ‘Blackmane here has ridden all this way to check on you. Is that not terribly considerate of him?’
She did not reply.
‘I was just telling him how much you are looking forward to being reunited with your family at Hampstead Keep.’ He adjusted his hands on the reins. ‘Can youimaginehow devastated they would be if you did not return as planned? Lady Gwenore and Everard are two of our biggest advocates.’
Isabel kept her eyes down and mouth closed. The control this man still had over her blew Blackmane away. But this time, that smug expression on his face was not justified.
‘You sure about that?’ Blackmane asked, looking him straight in the eye.
‘Which part, defender?’
‘The part about them being your biggest advocates.’ He paused for effect. ‘And the part about them being at Hampstead Keep.’
Isabel lifted her gaze, eyes showing life for the first time.
Hodge’s expression darkened. ‘You have no authority over any person within my estate. The only way those two would leave Hampstead Keep would be at my request.’
Now it was Blackmane’s turn to look smug. ‘That may have been true when you left, but a lot has happened since then,my lord. One of those things is that Ita Chapman was found alive and well—despite your best efforts. Another is that her mother was hanged to her death at your request.’
Hodge shifted in his saddle. ‘Events that need to be explained in person so they are not misconstrued.’
One corner of Blackmane’s mouth lifted. ‘I agree. That’s why Ita borrowed a horse and made the journey to Hampstead Keep—before her mother was even buried. She knew they would want to know as soon as possible so they could make arrangements to leave before you returned.’
Isabel pressed a hand to her chest and exhaled a shaky breath. Her relief was palpable.
Hodge’s eyes glazed over. ‘Even if I were to believe you, this changes nothing.’
‘This changes everything,’ Isabel said, speaking for the first time. ‘Everything. It is as if the shackles have been cut from my feet and hands.’
Hodge stared at her, his expression unreadable. The defender kneaded the leather reins between his fingers as he waited to see how the earl would react to this news.
‘Like a knife to the heart,’ Hodge said. ‘But even still, I forgive the vile words that come from your mouth.’ He looked back at Blackmane. ‘That istruelove, defender. Love of the rarest kind. Forgiveness is key.’ He raised his chin. ‘Now, I suggest you turn around and go back to Chadora while I am still calm enough to let you leave.’
‘I am coming with you,’ Isabel said urgently, pushing her horse forwards.
One of the guards caught the rein of her horse. Blackmane resisted the urge to slice the man’s arm off at the shoulder.
Hodge pressed his eyes closed, his patience reaching the end of its tether. ‘Do not make a scene. I beg of you.’ Opening his eyes, he narrowed them at Blackmane once again. ‘Last chance to ride away, defender. After that, I will not be held responsible for what my guards do.’
‘You’re rarely held accountable for anything, are you?’ Blackmane replied.
Hodge rolled his eyes heavenward.
‘Now, here are my terms,’ Blackmane continued. ‘Your guards can either hand the lady over to me, or I can take her from them. For the sake of your men, I suggest the former.’
The heat from Hodge’s glare intensified. ‘You are grossly outnumbered, and you and I both know that if any harm comes to me at your hands, it will spell disaster for that little kingdom hiding behind its walls.’
Blackmane nodded slowly, then looked around at the guards. ‘Sorry, boys. It appears your fierce leader is prepared to sacrifice all of your lives in the name of love.’
A few tense moments passed before Hodge said, ‘Your time is up, defender.’
The guards reached for their weapons, but Blackmane had a knife in hand before any of their swords left their sheaths. He threw it, piercing the sword hand of the man closest him. A beat later, he had his bow loaded and pointed at the same man. ‘Stop now and you can all leave here alive.’
The men looked at the guard clutching his bleeding hand, then at Hodge.
‘Kill him,’ Hodge said, not backing down.
Blackmane fired the first arrow through the neck of a guard. Two others retrieved their bows during that time. He shot one in the stomach and leaned back to avoid an arrow from the other, momentarily flattening himself against the horse’s rump before springing upright again and taking out the shooter. He droppedanother arrow into place and took aim at the fourth guard. The man dropped his weapon and raised his hands.
