Chapter Nine
Tam, Ironfist, and Aleyn carried the roebuck off in a wagon. Ivy stood on the doorstep with Hazel and watched the wagon trundle out of sight. I pray that the gods protect you, Hugh Dappleward.
Calmness wasn’t a quality she possessed this morning. Anxiety and worry were the emotions that rode her. Anxiety and worry—and a foolish, wistful sense of loss that tightened her throat and made her heart ache in her chest.
She wanted to be on that wagon with Hugh. She wanted to protect him.
Me? A cripple? I can’t protect anyone.
“What if Aleyn manages to bespell Tam?” Hazel’s voice was agonized, her hands clenched. “Or finds some way to kill him? Or―”
“Ironfist is with them.” Ivy managed to find a shred of calmness. “He’s more than a match for Aleyn. He’ll keep Tam safe. And Hugh.
