"Isabell," Ashlynn said, rushing to the older woman's side and wrapping her arms around her. "Isabell, I'm sorry," she said softly. "I'm sorry for getting you involved in my mess. Owain would never have targeted your children if I hadn't asked you to get involved with things back in Blackwell City," she said as she gave Isabell a reassuring squeeze.
"No," Isabell said as she forced herself to step back and look at things logically. "You were right when you sent me the first letter. Owain would have dragged me into this eventually, and if he didn't, the Holy War would have, one way or another. You gave me the opportunity to get involved on my own terms instead of being forced into it by someone else, so please, don't apologize."
