Defender of Hearts

by Tanya Bird

  Yes, because he’s an idiot, Astin thought. He said nothing as he followed Lyndal along the line, watching as she took hold of icy hands, squeezing encouragingly as she chatted away.

  Towards the end, she crouched in front of a young boy, brushing hair off his face. His eyes were bloodshot, his gums swollen and protruding from his mouth.

  ‘I don’t like cabbage,’ the boy said, his cracked lips stained with blood.

  Lyndal tilted her head. ‘You know, I’m not very fond of it either, but it’s going to help you get better.’

  Her genuine desire to help these people had Astin squinting in the other direction for fear she would see the admiration on his face.

  Lyndal handed the final jar to a young girl with red curls springing in all directions. Pulling the blue ribbon from her own hair, she combed the girl’s hair back with her fingers and tied it.

  ‘Mother usually brushes it,’ the girl said.

  Lyndal looked up at the woman standing behind her. ‘Is that your mother?’

  The woman gave her a sad smile. ‘She’s back in the borough. The defenders only took those with symptoms.’

  Lyndal rose and turned to glare at Astin as if he had personally torn the girl from her mother’s arms. ‘Did you know about this?’

  ‘That they were separating the sick from the healthy? Yes.’

  ‘That they were separating children from their parents for a disease that isn’t even contagious?’

  He drew a breath. ‘I don’t work in the merchant borough.’

  ‘No, you’re just friends with all the men who do.’ She let out a frustrated breath. ‘Am I the only one who has a problem with this?’

  Queen Fayre looked in her direction, then wandered over. ‘What problem is that?’

  Lyndal’s feet shuffled. ‘There are children here without family, Your Majesty.’

  The queen mother looked to the woman standing behind the girl. ‘Is this not your daughter?’

  ‘No, Your Majesty.’

  Fayre stared down at the small girl. ‘How many children are here without family?’

  ‘Four.’

  Clearing her throat and straightening, Lyndal said, ‘Your Majesty, I’d like to request that these children, who clearly have scurvy, be returned to their families.’

  The queen watched her calmly. ‘You mean the children who my son, your king, requested be removed and placed in isolation?’

  ‘Isolation for scurvy. Sure, the symptoms are a little more confronting, but that’s what comes of famine stretching on, year after year. Most merchants get it at some point. At fifteen my joint pain and fatigue were so bad I couldn’t get out of bed. No one came to take me away. I was eventually cured by carrots.’

  Kendra wore a look of horror. ‘Father never told me you had scurvy.’

  ‘Needless to say, the carrots did not come from him,’ Lyndal said before returning her attention to the queen mother. ‘These children don’t need to be locked in with the dead. They need small amounts of the right foods—and their own mothers combing their hair.’

  The sharp edge in her tone had Kendra looking nervously between the two women. ‘Perhaps we should discuss this later,’ she said lightly. ‘Let the queen mother fulfil her obligations here.’

  No one moved.

  Astin was used to standing still and silent during tense moments, but he had a strong urge to speak up on Lyndal’s behalf. The pained plea in her eyes made him look at the ground. It was the same look his sister had whenever she was forced to visit him.

  Queen Fayre did not appear angered by the outburst but rather fascinated. ‘You know, there is such a thing as being too honest.’

  Lyndal released the breath she was holding. ‘I apologise for the outburst, but for some, family is the only thing they have left. Must the king take that from them too?’

  A tight laugh came from Kendra. ‘I think we can all agree honesty is an admirable quality, but let us keep that honesty on a nice tight leash, shall we?’

  Lyndal stepped forwards. ‘And why are there walls for this borough at all? Why must we seek permission to bury loved ones? To visit their graves? Surely King Borin is happy to relinquish control once a person is dead.’

  Before Queen Fayre could respond, Kendra walked over and took Lyndal by the shoulders. ‘While you have made some very sincere points, I think we should—’

  ‘In fact, I would like to request that all these people standing before you be allowed to leave,’ Lyndal said, shrugging free of her cousin’s grip. ‘Simpler still to just put an end to the insanity. They’re quite capable of isolating themselves if they truly believe they’re a risk to their families.’

  ‘Are you finished?’ Queen Fayre asked, her tone even.

  Kendra’s lips were pressed together so tightly at that point that all colour had left them.

  ‘Yes,’ Lyndal said, her voice catching as her head caught up with the words that had tumbled out of her. ‘I think that covers all the… relevant points.’

  The queen turned to one of her guards. ‘Have a physician brought in. If he can confirm that these people are not contagious, they are free to return to the borough. Say nothing to the king until I have spoken to him.’

  Kendra looked heavenwards, releasing the breath she had been holding. The merchants were all staring at Lyndal as though she were a goddess sent to save them. For all Astin knew, maybe she was.

  ‘Your Majesty,’ Lyndal began, ‘I—’

  Fayre raised a hand, cutting her off. ‘I came here to see the situation for myself. I always intended to send the merchants home if there was no need for them to be here.’ A coy smile appeared on her face. ‘But the cabbage was a nice touch,’ she said as she stepped between the girls and headed for the carriage.

  Laughter rose up Astin’s throat, but because he was on duty, he swallowed it down and bit back the accompanying grin.

  ‘Oh my goodness,’ Kendra muttered, head shaking as she followed the queen.

  Lyndal stared after them, her face slack. ‘Not a word, defender,’ she warned.

  He raised his hands. ‘I believe you’ve said enough for all of us.’

  She cast a venomous look in his direction before dragging her feet all the way to the carriage.

  Chapter 11

  Lyndal stepped out into the corridor and pulled the door closed behind her. ‘Pig’s in labour?’

  ‘We’ve been over this,’ Astin said from behind Harlan. ‘It’s a boar.’

  ‘A boar the girls named Pig,’ Harlan said.

  Astin muttered something Lyndal chose to ignore. ‘I really wanted to be there for the birth. Do you suppose I would be allowed to return home for a few hours? I could be back before dinner tonight.’

  Harlan was already backing away from the conversation. ‘You’re going to have to ask your bodyguard about that. I’ve passed on the message, so my job’s done.’

  ‘Coward,’ Astin said.

  The commander made a crude gesture over his shoulder before strolling off down the corridor.

  ‘Perhaps you could find a reason for us to leave?’ Lyndal asked Astin, eyes pleading. ‘Please. These boarlets are very important.’

  He looked back at her with scepticism. ‘I know for a fact that Wright House has enough food to sustain your family.’

  ‘The boarlets are not for us. They’ll go to merchant families in need.’

  Astin’s resigned expression gave her hope.

  He drew a long breath and said, ‘You do not leave this room. Understand?’

  ‘I swear before Belenus.’

  Lyndal returned inside her bedchamber, pacing the length of the room and wondering what to do about Kendra. She knew her cousin would much prefer to remain at Eldon Castle than watch a boar give birth.

  It was thirty minutes later when there was a knock at the door. She rushed to answer it, and Astin’s eyes moved over her.

  ‘You already have your cloak on,’ he said.

  ‘I’m a very optimistic person.’r />
  He sighed. ‘Horses are waiting out front.’

  She clapped her hands together. ‘I just need to speak with Kendra and—’

  ‘Your cousin is playing chess with the queen,’ Astin said. ‘She will remain there for the afternoon. And if anyone asks, it was a family emergency of a private nature.’

  Lyndal lifted her brows. ‘Clever.’ She pulled the door shut behind her. ‘Not only will I be there for the birth, but I’ll also get to see my family.’

  His eyes searched hers a moment before stepping aside. ‘I hope you can ride.’

  ‘Of course I can ride. We owned a horse once, you know. Before the nobility wall went up.’

  ‘So you were all of three years old?’

  She jabbed him with her elbow. ‘Ten, actually.’

  Astin straightened when he caught sight of something up ahead. Lyndal followed his gaze to where a maid was walking towards them. The pretty young woman smiled up at him as they passed. ‘Defender.’

  Astin nodded a greeting but said nothing.

  When they rounded the corner, Lyndal grinned up at him. ‘Quite the man around these parts, aren’t you?’

  Astin gave her a blank look. ‘I’ve no idea what you’re talking about.’

  ‘I’ve heard all about your little escapades within the castle.’

  His eyebrows came together. ‘And where would you have heard about such things?’

  She shrugged. ‘Blake, of course. There really isn’t much that doesn’t make its way to me eventually.’

  Astin’s jaw ticked with annoyance.

  ‘Don’t worry,’ she assured him. ‘Your secret is quite safe with me—for now.’

  Astin shook his head. ‘You have no idea what you’re talking about.’ When she glanced over her shoulder, he clicked his fingers in front of her face. ‘Eyes forwards.’

  She looked up at him instead. ‘Is that your type?’

  ‘What?’

  ‘She’s obviously very pretty.’

  ‘I’m not talking about this with you.’

  ‘And very… dark-haired.’

  He quirked an eyebrow at her. ‘So?’

  ‘So I wonder if that’s a preference.’

  He watched her a moment. ‘You’re asking if I like brunettes?’

  Her ears burned now. ‘Never mind.’

  ‘Yes,’ he replied without hesitating.

  She felt a bit winded by that response.

  ‘And women with black hair. And redheads. And every shade in between. I don’t care about hair colour.’

  She noticed he did not say blondes. ‘Oh, well, good to have options, I suppose.’

  His gaze slid to her. ‘Now that we’re both thoroughly uncomfortable, can we never speak of this again?’

  She nodded and fell silent.

  Out front, two horses stood saddled and waiting. As Lyndal was preparing to mount, hands landed on her waist, gripping in a way that made her throat close. She did not have to look over her shoulder to know it was Astin. Then he was walking away before she had even landed in the saddle. She watched him mount and adjust his reins before looking in her direction.

  ‘Ready?’ he asked in the tone of a man doing his job.

  Her gaze fell to her own horse. ‘Ready.’

  The moment they stopped their horses out front of Wright House, Blake appeared from around the side, arms open. ‘You are the proud owner of two boarlets so far.’

  Lyndal hugged her sister so tightly Astin thought he heard bones creak. Her eyes pressed shut before she released her sister. ‘Be honest. On a scale of one to ten, how bad has the pining been within the house?’

  Blake laughed. ‘It’s only been a few days. Though I was ready to steal you back when Harlan told me about the feast.’ Her eyes went to Astin. ‘Lucky you now have a tall, strapping bodyguard to keep you safe.’

  ‘Yes, lucky me,’ Lyndal said dryly. She was distracted by the sight of the family’s duck racing towards her. ‘Oh, hello, Miss Garlic.’ She scooped the duck up in her arms, kissing its face. ‘At least someone has missed me.’

  ‘I never said I didn’t miss you.’ Blake looked at Astin again. ‘Has she been unbearable?’

  ‘Don’t ask him that,’ Lyndal said. ‘He doesn’t need further encouragement to wound me. He’s quite capable of taking a knife to my feelings without prompts.’

  Her words prickled over Astin’s skin. ‘When have I ever taken a knife to your feelings?’

  ‘At my uncle’s house recently you asked me to test food for poison.’

  Blake sighed. ‘I’m sure he was joking.’

  ‘Of course I was joking.’ Harlan’s words came back to him, slapping him in the face. ‘I’d never let you near the food if I thought there was the slightest chance it had been meddled with.’

  ‘He’s only saying that to appease you,’ Lyndal said as she placed Garlic on the ground.

  Astin made a mental note to reduce the severity of his jokes, since she did indeed appear to be taking them to heart.

  ‘Lyndal!’

  Everyone looked in the direction of the house as Candace rushed out to greet her daughter.

  ‘What are you doing here?’ she asked, kissing both of Lyndal’s cheeks.

  Once upon a time, Astin’s mother had shown that level of affection to her children. When his father was still alive. Cooper had done a proper job of blowing up family relationships when he arrived on the scene.

  ‘Eda is at the shop,’ Candace said. ‘How long are you staying?’

  Lyndal’s disappointment was palpable. ‘Not long, unfortunately.’

  ‘We are more than happy to spare you,’ Candace said, ‘given all the good you have done in only a few days.’

  Lyndal appeared confused. ‘What on earth are you talking about? What good?’

  ‘You don’t have to play modest,’ Blake said. ‘We know all about your little speech in the lazaretto borough. The merchants have spoken of nothing else since you demanded their release.’

  Lyndal blinked. ‘Oh, that.’

  ‘Yes, that,’ Candace said, frowning. ‘It was very brave.’

  ‘Except that Queen Fayre intended to send them home anyway, so I could have saved my breath.’

  Blake took hold of her hands. ‘We’re not praising you for the outcome. We’re proud of you for speaking up at all. Queen Fayre is rather intimidating, and I had no idea you were so rebellious.’

  ‘Her headstrong personality and opinionated tendencies weren’t a clue?’ Astin asked.

  All three women turned to look at him.

  ‘You do yourself no favours,’ Blake said to him as she pulled her sister away. ‘Ignore him and come, before you miss the birth entirely.’

  Astin kept his eyes down as he passed Candace’s disapproving stare. He followed the sisters around back to the pigpen, which had been newly reinforced to hold a boar.

  Wood shavings were laid out in place of straw, which had long ago become a rarity. Lyndal dropped down beside the labouring boar without a thought to her dress, stroking its back as she watched the three suckling boarlets.

  ‘And now there are three,’ Blake said. ‘They know exactly where to go when they come out. It’s quite fascinating to watch.’

  Lyndal reached out to touch one of the stripy boarlets. ‘How are they so adorable?’

  The mother twitched, head lifting off the ground, and out slipped another one.

  ‘Clever girl,’ Lyndal said, peering down at the slippery animal.

  Astin found himself watching Lyndal’s face in place of the birth. She was in awe of this wild animal, and her childlike excitement warmed his insides.

  ‘Here comes another one,’ Blake said.

  Lyndal picked up the nearby towel and gently wiped at the boarlet still struggling to get up. It eventually toddled off in search of a teat.

  ‘I heard they can have up to twelve babies,’ Lyndal said as the animal twitched and squirmed once more.

  Out came another boarlet.

 
‘That’s number six.’ She wiped at it with the towel a few times when it did not move. ‘This one doesn’t appear to be breathing.’

  Taking the towel from Lyndal, Astin picked up the boarlet and held it in his open palm, rubbing it vigorously with the towel. Still it showed no life, so he began pressing lightly on its chest. The girls watched on with worried expressions, until finally it began to wriggle and squeal.

  ‘Oh, thank goodness,’ Lyndal said, taking it from him. ‘How did you know what to do?’

  ‘I’d be more surprised if he didn’t know what to do,’ Blake said, ‘given he was raised in the farming borough.’

  Lyndal looked at her sister, brow pinched. ‘What? Since when?’

  ‘Since I was born and raised in the farming borough,’ Astin said.

  Lyndal’s mouth hung open. ‘But you’re a defender. Defenders are selected from among the nobility.’

  ‘You’re a merchant living in the nobility borough,’ he replied. ‘Sometimes the rules just don’t apply.’

  She closed her mouth. ‘I’m just surprised you never mentioned the fact.’

  ‘You never asked.’

  ‘And you do have a tendency to block out his voice when he speaks,’ Blake said, a smile playing on her lips.

  Lyndal continued to stare at Astin like she had no idea who he was suddenly. ‘And what about your family?’

  ‘Also farmers, if that’s what you’re asking,’ Astin said.

  She drew a breath. ‘I mean are they alive? Do you have siblings?’

  Reading his discomfort, Blake answered on his behalf. ‘There’s a sister, a half-sister, a mother, and a stepfather we’re not supposed to mention.’

  ‘So not an orphan,’ Lyndal said.

  ‘What made you think I was an orphan?’ Astin asked.

  ‘You. You made me think that. You and your life, and your… your lack of family. Every meal eaten here instead of in the farming borough made me think that.’

  ‘Perhaps it has something to do with the stepfather we’re not supposed to talk about,’ Blake whispered.

  ‘Here comes another one,’ Astin said, grateful for the distraction.

  Two more boarlets arrived in quick succession, bringing the total to eight. They waited for more, and when none came, the three of them sat watching them. After feeding, the boarlets all fell asleep, stacked neatly in a row. Garlic wandered over and jumped up onto Blake’s lap, eyeing the new additions. Lyndal was leaning forwards, unable to stop touching the new arrivals.