by Tanya Bird
‘My guess is his mother is driving the entire thing,’ Harlan said. ‘And for reasons I can’t understand, King Borin agreed.’
‘What is it with kings unable to say no to their mothers?’ Lyndal asked, walking off her frustration.
Astin pinched the bridge of his nose. ‘Every kingdom and country in Europe is desperate. The demand for healthy livestock has never been higher. Edward will play along in order to get what he needs, as any king in his position would.’
Harlan shifted his weight. ‘Slightly surprising that Borin agreed though.’
‘Chadora’s army might be the most highly trained, but England’s army outnumbers ours six to one,’ Astin said.
Lyndal appeared surprised by that number. ‘While that’s an uncomfortable statistic, it doesn’t change the fact that we have people starving to death while our king hands over the little food we have. If the merchants find out, there will be a revolt like nothing this kingdom has ever seen. No number of defenders will be able to stop them.’
The adjoining door opened, and Eda walked in. She paused when she saw the three of them standing there, her eyes darting between them.
‘Now that it’s officially a family meeting,’ Harlan said, leaning against the wall, ‘do you two want to let us in on what’s happening here? Is there to be a royal wedding or not?’
Eda’s eyebrows lifted. What have I missed?
‘A slight hiccup in wedding plans,’ Lyndal said.
Harlan rubbed his forehead. ‘I gather the “no bride” part is the issue.’
Lyndal crinkled her nose. ‘Turns out we’re ill-suited. Who knew?’
‘Everyone,’ they all said.
There was another knock at the door. ‘It’s Thornton,’ Roul said through it.
Lyndal moved to open the door. ‘Come in. Everyone else has.’
His eyes went to Eda, and he remained where he was. ‘Queen Fayre has requested an audience with you in the solar.’
Astin released a breath. ‘Looks like we don’t have the luxury of time after all.’
‘Good,’ Lyndal said, trying to appear brave. ‘The sooner I break the news, the sooner I can go home.’
‘You’re leaving with me,’ Harlan told Astin, pushing off the wall. ‘You need to be as far away from this castle as possible. One sniff that you’re a factor in this decision and you’ll be drawn and quartered.’
‘He’s right,’ Lyndal said. ‘Go.’
Astin looked at her, his expression serious. He gave a resigned nod. ‘All right. You have this. I’ll see you on the other side of the wall.’
Her nervous smile was the last thing he saw before he exited the room.
Lyndal thought she was prepared when she entered Queen Fayre’s solar, but then she saw King Borin standing by the fireplace. He watched her like a snake as she entered and curtsied.
‘Your Grace. Your Majesty.’
‘It seems we have a quarrel to work through,’ Fayre said, looking between them. ‘I hear some heated words were exchanged last night.’
Lyndal’s gaze drifted to the glaring king. ‘If by heated words, you’re referring to your son almost pulling my shoulder from its socket in his effort to prevent me from leaving, then yes.’
‘You were behaving like a spoiled child,’ Borin spat, moving closer. ‘And then you turned on me like a feral cat.’
‘I said no to going to your bed, and you behaved like a wounded predator.’
Queen Fayre raised a hand, demanding calm with one simple gesture. ‘Let us not get stuck on the details. The question is what is it you both need in order to move forwards?’
Lyndal’s heart was thudding in her ears. That was her cue. Clearing her throat, she said, ‘I no longer want to do this. We’re ill-suited to a partnership of any kind, and marriage would be a disaster for both of us.’
The relief she felt at speaking those words aloud was short-lived. Borin descended on her like a ravenous dog.
‘You do not get to make that decision! It is not your choice!’
Fayre stepped in front of Lyndal, forcing him to pull up quickly. ‘I want you to step out of the room and let me handle this. Please.’
The veins in Borin’s neck were bulging. ‘This is what I was saying to you! She thinks she can do as she pleases with no regard to propriety and tradition. And now I have thrown away the respect of the nobility in choosing her as a wife.’
Fayre made herself taller. ‘The nobility will come to respect a king who puts the needs of his kingdom ahead of his own vanity. Now, please, leave us.’
Borin stared hard at Lyndal before striding from the room, slamming the door on his way out.
Lyndal clasped her hands in front of her so the queen would not see that they were trembling.
‘You should not have said that,’ Fayre said, turning to face her properly. ‘It was very confronting for him.’
Lyndal glanced at the door. ‘I can’t marry that man. I’m sorry. He’s made it abundantly clear that he will not support the merchants, queen or not, so I see absolutely no benefit in going ahead with this insane idea.’
Queen Fayre drew a long, calming breath and smoothed back her hair despite not one strand being out of place. ‘You will be in the best position to help, I promise you that. But you must take your time with this. You cannot simply hold out your hand. He will willingly give you all that you desire if you take your time and build rapport first.’
Lyndal’s shoulders fell. ‘He’s cruel.’
‘He can be, yes. He can also be very sweet in the right hands.’
‘These are not the right hands.’ She held them up. ‘I know that now.’
Fayre never looked away. ‘I must ask if this change of heart is really due to your quarrel last night or a certain defender who spent the night in your bedchamber?’
She felt like a pale of ice had been thrown over her. Of course the queen knew. She missed nothing. ‘If you’re suggesting that—’
‘The absolute worst thing you can do right now is lie to me. I am the one person who has your back through this marriage.’
Lyndal looked down at the ground. ‘All right. You deserve honesty. Yes, Fletcher was in my bedchamber last night.’ She swallowed. ‘But I knew before that it would never work with the king.’
Fayre stared at her with motherly disappointment. ‘That is the one and only time that will happen. Are we clear on that?’
Lyndal blinked. Had she not been listening? ‘I just told you I can’t do it.’
‘Whatever doubts you are having, whatever fears you are drowning in, you must fight to rid yourself of them. You have a job to do.’
‘I don’t want it.’
‘That is too bad, because the opportunity for a change of heart has passed. The plan is already in motion, and now it is my job, my duty, to ensure the match is a success.’
Lyndal shook her head. ‘I don’t need to marry him in order to help people.’
With a rare sigh, Queen Fayre walked over to the fireplace and watched the flames. ‘This is what is going to happen. We are going to forget about everything that happened last night. It is done, and we cannot change it. I am going to give my son a long and painful lecture about how he speaks to you and how he treats you. Despite what you are thinking right now, I care very much about your well-being. There will be no violence in your marriage on my watch—I promise you that.’
Lyndal’s breathing quickened as the target shifted in front of her.
‘You are going to tell Fletcher that the affair is over, and you are going to mean it.’
Lyndal shook her head. ‘No.’
‘Yes.’
‘I won’t do it.’
‘Yes you will,’ Fayre said confidently. ‘Because if you do not, I will have Fletcher taken into custody and locked in the tower.’
Lyndal’s arms were heavy at her sides. ‘He has committed no crime. He’s been nothing but loyal to the king, despite everything.’
Sharp eyes assessed her. ‘The king
will not see it that way.’
‘I love him.’ The words fell out of her.
‘I do not doubt that for one second given the enormity of the risk you took last night. But whatever fairy tale you have conjured in that optimistic little mind of yours, you must now dismiss it. You are engaged to the king of Chadora.’
Lyndal pressed a hand to her chest, struggling to hold back tears.
‘I am sorry,’ Fayre said, her voice cracking around the edges. ‘I understand the pain you feel. However, this is the safest option for the pair of you. If you really care about him, you will need to tell him you have changed your mind.’
She blinked a few times, her thoughts fragmenting. ‘He won’t believe me. He knows me too well.’
‘You must make him believe you. If he senses you are trapped, he will play the hero and end up dead. If he believes this is your choice, he will return to the king’s side and continue his service.’
Lyndal brushed a hand over her wet cheek.
‘The king will not be made a fool of,’ Fayre said, gently this time. ‘He will have you killed before he ever lets you walk away. I say this not to scare you but to make you see that turning away at this point is not an option. Tell me you understand that.’
Lyndal looked up at the roof as she attempted to stop crying. ‘I understand.’
Fayre patted her arm. ‘The pain will ease, I promise you.’
Lyndal stepped out of her reach, not meeting her eyes.
‘Now I will go speak with my son,’ Fayre said. ‘If you are to be queen, you must be treated as such. He is not accustomed to having to work for a woman’s affection. That is the problem when you grow up being handed all that you desire.’
Lyndal licked tears from her lips, saying nothing.
‘And do not fret about your wedding night,’ Fayre continued. ‘There are tricks to ensure a successful consummation, tricks many women have used before you. He need not know that another beat him to it.’
Nausea rose inside Lyndal. ‘I can’t think about that right now.’
‘Of course not. Take some time to collect yourself. Then go to Fletcher and tell him of your decision.’
Lyndal was still a moment, then finally lifted her gaze. ‘Did you know your son is selling livestock to King Edward?’
It was clear by Fayre’s expression that she had no idea. ‘You are mistaken. King Edward has no hold over Chadora.’
Lyndal lifted one shoulder. ‘I really hope you’re right. Can you imagine the uprising if it were found to be true?’ She left the room without bothering to curtsy.
Chapter 33
Astin knew when Lyndal sent for him that her meeting with the queen had not gone to plan. Her tear-stained face and puffy eyes confirmed it. While he knew with every fibre of his body that he was not going to like what she was about to tell him, he was patient as they stood outside the castle wall, away from prying eyes.
‘Just tell me you’re still leaving,’ he said. ‘That’s all I really need to hear right now.’
She looked away, giving him his answer.
‘What happened?’
Lyndal bit her lip before replying. ‘We both knew it was too late for a change of heart.’
He moved sideways to catch her eye. ‘After the wedding is too late. Now is just a very unfortunate time.’ She took a small step back, which bothered him. ‘What did she threaten you with? Whatever it is, I can help if you tell me.’
‘It wasn’t like that.’ She shook her head. ‘She assures me my vision for the merchant borough will come to fruition. I was being pushy, trying to rush through a process that can’t be hurried.’
He closed the distance between them and took hold of her arms. ‘This is horse shit. What are you talking about? Pushy? The man’s a lunatic.’
‘I’m sorrier than I can put into words. The last thing I meant to do was hurt you.’
‘Look at me.’ He shook her. ‘This isn’t about me. We’re getting you out of here for you.’ Registering the shock on her face, he let her go. ‘I’m sorry. I’m just… I’m trying to understand what happened in there that has you moving in the complete opposite direction.’
‘It’s the same direction I was always moving in,’ she said, gripping her dress. ‘Queen Fayre simply steered me back on course.’
He stared hard at her, trying to read her but failing. ‘So, to be clear, your plan is to remain here, marry the crazy man, and play the virgin bride on your wedding night? That’s your plan?’
Her ears turned red. ‘The queen mother won’t let him get away with bad behaviour again. She’s speaking to him right now about last night, and he listens to her.’
He brought a hand to his forehead. ‘Your naivety actually astounds me at times. I thought you were smarter than this.’
He saw a flash of hurt before she blinked it away.
‘So it’s fine for you to serve and protect a madman year after year, which is of no benefit to anyone, but when I come in with an actual plan that will help people, I’m naive?’
He drew a slow breath. ‘I’m a defender. It’s my job.’
‘And when I’m queen, I too will have a job.’ She crossed her arms. ‘You never did tell me your plan. Were you going to get me out, then continue to be his guard dog?’
He dipped his head so he was eye level with her. ‘My plan? My plan was to step aside and let you dig your own grave. Then you came to me, crying, telling me you’ve changed your mind, and I fell into bed with you like an idiot.’
She looked away. ‘I was confused and scared.’
‘And now you’re fine? Queen Fayre made it all better?’ He began to pace, eyes on his feet. ‘You know, I’m not doing this dance with you over and over again. If she’s forcing your hand, you need to speak up, so I can help you. If you’re actually choosing this for yourself, then you’re on your own from now on. I’m not coming in that room next time to save your arse.’ He paused. ‘And you should know, the other defenders follow the rules around here, so if the king tells them to step aside so he can do as he pleases with you, they’ll step aside.’
He faced her again, registering the hurt expression.
‘Well, it’s comforting to know just how deep your feelings run, defender. You care for my well-being so long as I follow your list of conditions.’
‘We’re back to “defender” now?’
‘Appropriate given the direction the conversation has taken.’
He leaned in, speaking through his teeth. ‘I’m going to ask you one more time if this is what you want. If it is, I’m done. It’ll fall upon your sister to cover up the bruises.’
She looked so crushed by his words that he became hopeful he might have actually gotten through. He was wrong.
Nodding thoughtfully, she said, ‘I think that’s for the best anyway. Any interference by you will only raise suspicions and cause problems for both of us. Better that we agree here and now to stay away from one another. You focus on your job, and I’ll focus on mine.’
He blinked, his chest tightening. ‘That’s your answer?’
She looked him straight in the eye. ‘I hope I was clear. Chadora can’t have a stuttering queen.’
He took a few calming breaths as he stepped back from her. ‘Loud and clear, my lady.’
Astin packed up his vile mood and rode to the farming borough to find his sister. Yes, he needed to speak to her, but he also needed a chance to clear his head before reporting for duty. He hoped the ride might reduce the probability of him breaking the king’s jaw.
As he turned off the road and headed towards the farmhouse, he glimpsed his sister out front with a man he did not recognise. He thought it might be Chadwick, but they stood too far apart to be lovers. Presley’s shoulders were rounded, her eyes downcast. The man’s voice carried all the way to Astin, his gestures too big.
The pair looked in his direction when he appeared. Then Presley straightened, and the man lowered his hands. Astin stared hard at him as he pulled his horse up and dis
mounted. Only when he was standing beside his sister did he look to her for an introduction.
‘Brother,’ Presley said. ‘You remember Chadwick.’ She looked between them. ‘And I’m sure you remember my brother, Astin.’
The men nodded, sizing one another up.
‘What are we discussing?’ Astin asked, eyes on Chadwick.
‘A private matter’ was the man’s reply.
That made it official. Astin did not like his sister’s soon-to-be husband.
‘Wedding things,’ Presley said, playing the peacekeeper. ‘Boring things.’
Astin’s gaze never left Chadwick. ‘I’d like a private word with my sister, please.’
‘We’re to be married,’ Chadwick replied, lifting that square chin of his. ‘We don’t have secrets.’
‘Well, I’m not marrying you.’
Chadwick’s face hardened. He went to say something, but Presley beat him to it.
‘I’ll see you tomorrow.’
Chadwick looked between them, nodded, then went to fetch his horse, which was tethered in front of the house. Presley watched him mount and ride away while Astin watched her.
‘What is it with smart women marrying idiots?’ he said. ‘Of all the men in the borough…’
She turned to face him, arms crossed. ‘Is this about Chadwick or Lady Lyndal? Because the look on your face when you arrived made it clear you weren’t here to make friends. You could have tried.’
‘I could hear him yelling at you from the road.’
She glanced in the direction of the house, where Rose was peering out of the window at them. Astin followed her gaze and waved at his youngest sister. The curtain immediately fell back into place.
‘The uniform has that effect on children,’ he said.
‘So does never visiting.’
His eyes returned to her. ‘Where’s Cooper?’
She began walking. ‘Due home any minute, so you should probably leave.’
Astin fell into step with her. ‘I got your message.’
She slowed, not speaking for a while. ‘I may have snooped through some of Cooper’s private letters.’