Page 94 of The Enemy's Daughter

My eyes go wide.Are you blocking me?

Tristan’s lips pull tight.Are you trying to take some of it back?

Before I can answer, he shifts his attention to my injury, and—oh, no he doesn’t. I race to slam the door. It takes effort to block him, like tightening a fist somewhere deep inside. It doesn’t feel right.You can’t be laid up with this injury. You need to be well enough to fight or run when you get a chance.

His gaze flicks to Liam, a dangerous question in his eyes.And you don’t?

“Isadora has some questions to ask you,” Liam says. Impatience cloaks his voice.

I begin wrapping Tristan’s neck with the new bandage. “Justgive me a minute to finish this.”

“No, this isn’t why we’re here,” Liam says. “You have an actual doctor right there who can check his bandage. Ask him what we came here for... or I will.”

Tristan levels a glare at Liam. “Ask what?”

Despite Tristan’s hostility, Liam doesn’t match it. Instead, his face fills with a pained expression. “Isadora could be convicted of treason if she can’t hide your marriage. It would beverybad for her.”

What would the punishment be for marrying me?Tristan asks.

I don’t respond, so for the first time ever, he sweeps inside my mind. I don’t block him as he finds the answer. He recoils at learning we burn people at the stake for treason.

Tristan’s concern and fear pulses through me so strongly, a shake enters my hands as they tie off the bandage.

“We won’t say anything,” Tristan vows. His gaze flicks to Henshaw to confirm.

“I don’t think you understand the intensity under which you’re going to be asked some of these questions,” Liam says.

Henshaw lets out a whimper.

“If you care about her at all,” Liam continues, “the best and safest thing is to break this bond. How do we do it? Can it be broken?”

To my surprise Tristan answers honestly. “I don’t know. No one’s ever tried.”

Liam’s shoulders fall, but his voice turns cold. “You might want to think a little harder about that.” He waits, but when Tristan doesn’t speak, he says, “then we need to find a way for your injuries to stop ending up on her body. People are asking questions. Those questions alone could get her killed.”

A muscle jumps in Tristan’s cheek. “I think I know a way. I’ll handle it.”

Don’t let him think that’s an option, I send to him.It’s the only thing keeping you safe.

Liam stares for a few seconds. “For her sake, I hope you’re telling the truth.” Then he glances at the door. “It’s bad for her to be here. People talk. A visit like this can’t happen again.”

Tristan’s wariness flows through me, but it’s followed by his resolve. He may hate Liam and everything he is to me, but he hates me being in danger more. “Then go.”

My heart physically hurts. There was no plan on how to rescue him, but I’d hoped finding him would spark inspiration. Now I’m leaving without him.

As I stand, my hand brushes Tristan’s arm in one last desperate touch.I’m going to speak to my father. I will find a way to get you out.

No, Isadora. Don’t,he says.Don’t mention me at all.

32

The guard secures the door behind us with the drop of a board. There’s something so final about it. With every step, the connection with Tristan lessens until it falls away. I rub the spot over my heart, needing relief from the misery it brings.

How am I going to get Tristan free?

I notice Liam’s pace is brisker than mine, giving him a lead. “Thank you,” I say.

He exhales harshly, then whirls on me. “For what, exactly?”

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