Defender of Hearts by Tanya Bird

Chapter 15

When King Borin finally released her hand, Lyndal took a relieved breath. What in God’s name was going on? People were applauding. Queen Fayre was watching them with an expression bordering on maternal pride. The bland stares coming from the nobility were the one thing preventing Lyndal’s head from exploding.

‘Are you coming?’ Borin asked her, impatient to flee the crowd.

She shook her head. ‘In a minute.’ She needed to see her family more than she needed air.

Borin strolled off, and her uncle followed, his eyes so loathing she thought he might go up in a bonfire of hatred. Lyndal caught sight of the backs of Kendra and her aunt as they retreated also.

A hand landed on her shoulder, and she gasped. It was Blake.

‘What in God’s name is going on?’ Her sister was not one to beat around the bush.

Eda and her mother were standing behind Blake wearing the same worried expression.

Lyndal forced a smile. ‘What was what?’

‘That,’ Blake said, pointing in the direction of the king. ‘You and the king. All cute together.’

‘It was just a dance.’ But it was not just a dance. It was a test of some kind—one she had apparently passed with flying colours.

Candace brought a hand to her forehead. ‘They are already lighting the bonfires for the ceremony. We do not have time for these games.’

Lyndal shook her head. ‘What game is that?’

‘That man will ruin any chances of you finding a husband,’ her mother continued. ‘He will use you up and discard you the second he feels the slightest bit bored.’

It took Lyndal a moment to register the conversation. ‘What exactly are you asking me here?’

‘How could you lie with that man?’ Blake blurted. ‘Have you forgotten that he once locked us up, starved us, then shot arrows at us?’

Astin appeared at her side, his presence dominating the space. ‘Easy,’ he said to Blake. ‘It’s not what you think.’

Lyndal closed her mouth. ‘But thank you for assuming that, dear sister.’

‘It seems we are missing a vital piece of this story,’ her mother said quietly.

Lyndal took her mother’s hand. ‘The dance was Queen Fayre’s idea, a ploy to win over disgruntled merchants. Nothing more.’

Candace stared at her daughter for the longest time, as though trying to find truth in her eyes. ‘So you will be home in four weeks as planned?’

‘Absolutely. Nothing has changed.’ She was reassuring herself also.

If you don’t return to us in four weeks,Eda signed, I’m coming for you.

Lyndal stepped up and pulled her sister to her. ‘Don’t go starting wars just yet.’

‘Lady Lyndal,’ a voice called.

All five of them turned in Queen Fayre’s direction.

‘It is time to go,’ the queen mother said. She offered a smile to Lyndal’s family before making her way to the nobility section.

Lyndal released her sister, trying not to let her growing uneasiness show on the outside. ‘I’m sorry.’

‘Lady Lyndal?’ Blake repeated. ‘How does a merchant claim such a title? Did they baptise you in meat or something?’

Lyndal shifted her body to block Queen Fayre’s view. ‘Stop it. She’ll hear you.’

‘Let’s go,’ Astin said, taking her by the elbow.

Candace grabbed her other arm, looking her straight in the eyes. ‘Do not let that man take anything you are not prepared to give him. You owe him nothing—king or not.’

That only made the uneasiness inside her surge. ‘No. No, he doesn’t want anything from me.’ She looked to Astin for confirmation, but he was looking away. ‘It was just one staged dance,’ she said, turning back to her mother with a bright smile. ‘I’ll see you all in four weeks.’

She felt something dig into her side and looked down. Eda held a sheathed dagger in her hand.

If he tries to get into your bed, Eda signed by way of explanation.

‘Put that thing away,’ Astin said, pushing it out of sight. Then he was whisking Lyndal away. ‘Let’s go.’

The girls' father had taught all his daughters how to use various weapons when they were younger, but Lyndal had never had cause to use those skills with Blake and Eda around.

She tripped on some uneven ground as she watched her family over her shoulder. Astin righted her without breaking stride.

‘I want to go home,’ she said, looking up at him.

His throat bobbed. ‘I know.’

The rope opened for them, and then they were back among the nobility. Lyndal eyed the crowd and found many of them looking in her direction. ‘Tell me I’m being paranoid, that they’re not looking at me.’

Astin moved in front of her, shielding her from their stares. ‘Don’t worry about them.’ He looked over his shoulder. ‘Lady Henley has Queen Fayre occupied, so take a moment to collect yourself while I go and find Kendra.’

She nodded, the action heavy.

‘Wait here.’ He dipped his head so he was eye level with her. ‘Don’t move from this spot.’

Another nod. ‘All right.’

Then he was gone from sight.

Lyndal closed her eyes and exhaled slowly through her mouth, trying to calm her racing mind.

‘What the hell are you playing at?’

Her eyes snapped open at the sound of her uncle’s voice. ‘Uncle.’

He grabbed her arm tightly and brought his face close to hers. ‘You are lucky we are in a public place, or I would knock that smug expression off your face, you little harlot.’

‘What?’ She tried to pull free of his grip, and he tightened his hold on her.

‘Do you really think he is going to let a little half-breed like you in his bed?’

Her arm began to throb. ‘I assure you I’ve no intention of getting into anyone’s bed.’

‘You are a merchant.’ He hissed the last word at her. ‘A thief by nature. I just never thought you would steal your own cousin’s future—a future she has worked her whole life for.’

His words lit a fire in her stomach. ‘I’ve stolen nothing. And I suggest you let go of me before Queen Fayre happens to glance in our direction. She has a low tolerance for this kind of behaviour.’

His fingers tightened like a clamp, making her gasp.

Before he could get a word out, Astin stepped into view, two storm cloud eyes narrowed at Thomas.

‘Either you remove your hand or I remove it. You have one second to decide.’ His tone was pure ice.

Thomas released Lyndal’s arm and turned to the defender. ‘This is a private family conversation. I suggest you go watch my daughter.’

Astin did not move. ‘The private conversation is over.’

Lyndal released a shaky breath and backed away. ‘I’m going to find Kendra.’

‘We’re not done here,’ Thomas said through his teeth.

Astin stepped between them. ‘Yes you are.’ He gestured for Lyndal to start walking. ‘Go.’

She did not have to be told twice. She fled with her head pounding and vision blurring.

‘Where is she?’ she asked Astin when he fell into step with her.

‘In the carriage. She’s not feeling well. I’ve informed Queen Fayre that I’m taking you both back to Eldon Castle.’

Lyndal’s eyes close with relief. ‘You shouldn’t have intervened.’ She looked up at him. ‘He’s not an enemy you want, and I can handle him.’

‘Was that you handling him?’

Her hand went to the tender spot on her arm. ‘Suttone women are not made of glass.’

‘I’m your bodyguard. I’m not about to stand idle while he breaks your arm. And I don’t care what you’re made of. It doesn’t change the job.’

Up ahead, Kendra waited in the carriage looking close to tears. She turned her head in the other direction when she spotted them. The damage done by one dance was unthinkable.

Astin offered his hand, and Lyndal took it. So much strength in such a gentle grip. So much warmth.

Her eyes met his. ‘Thank you.’ Not only for the gesture but for everything that had come before it.

He kept hold of her hand until she took her seat, then rapped his knuckles on the side of the carriage to signal the driver to go. The carriage lurched forwards, leaving Astin behind and Lyndal to face the fallout alone.

‘Queen Fayre wishes to speak with me upon her return,’ Kendra said, not looking at her.

Lyndal watched her cousin for a moment. ‘That’s good news.’ She tried to make her tone upbeat.

Kendra finally dragged her eyes to Lyndal. ‘How is that good news when she has done her best to avoid me all day?’

There was no mistaking the resentment in her eyes.

Leaning forwards, Lyndal took her hand. ‘I’m on your side.’

Kendra stared at her, eyes shiny. ‘You do not get it, do you? Your side does not matter.’