Page 130 of Kingdom of Chains

Isabel’s brow pinched. ‘I made those clothes.’

‘I can tell by the excellent fit and fine needlework,’ Tatum said awkwardly. He pulled Blackmane in for a brief hug, clapping him loudly on the back. ‘You’ve lost muscle.’

‘I’m exactly the same size as when I left.’

Tatum stepped back and looked him up and down. ‘We’ll see.’ He came to greet a grinning Isabel, kissing her on the cheek. ‘I’m sorry we missed the wedding. The warden isn’t much of a romantic.’

‘Do not apologise. It was small, simple, and perfect. It turns out Ryder is not one for public declarations of love. Who knew?’

‘Definitely not us,’ Alveye said, coming to kiss her.

Isabel looked over to where Hadewaye was holding on to her husband while he stood stiff as a board.

‘This is the longest we’ve ever been separated,’ Hadewaye said when he finally let go.

Alveye rolled his eyes. ‘It’s only been a few months.’

‘A long few months,’ Hadewaye added.

Blackmane was quiet amid the noise of their arrival, but Isabel could see the lift in his demeanour. He was happy.

‘So,’ she said, looking between the defenders. ‘What brings you to Maddock House?’

Alveye and Hadewaye exchanged a mischievous look.

‘What are you all up to?’ Blackmane asked.

Tatum reached out to squeeze his shoulder. ‘You may recall when you left that King Becket told you he would not be sending a unit to Carmarthenshire because England was being respectful of the borders, Chadora wished to remain neutral, etc.’

Blackmane lowered his brows. ‘I remember.’

‘But then a certain lord went against his king, putting a further divide between England and Wales and getting himself killed in the process.’

Isabel stepped closer to Blackmane and slipped her hand into his. ‘We definitely remember that part.’

Blackmane’s hand tightened around hers.

‘King Becket has since decided that he’ll support Carmarthenshire through their recovery to ensure they’re able to better defend themselves in the future,’ Hadewaye said.

Blackmane looked between the men. ‘What are you saying?’

‘We’re the support,’ Tatum said. ‘We’ve been posted here for twelve months to assist in any way we can, with the aim of building relations between the two kingdoms.’

Isabel’s smile widened. ‘Really? You are to remain here for a whole year?’

‘There’s more,’ Hadewaye said, walking over to his horse. He pulled out a parcel wrapped in cloth and carried it over to Blackmane.

Blackmane let go of Isabel’s hand. ‘What’s this?’

‘That’s your uniform,’ Alveye said. ‘The warden asked us to give it to you.’

Blackmane stared down at it for the longest time before asking, ‘What’s the catch?’

Tatum frowned. ‘Well, you’ll have to work, for a start.’

‘I already work.’

Isabel reached up and touched his arm. ‘The man is gifting you a year.’ She gave him an encouraging smile. ‘Take it.’

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