Defender of Hearts by Tanya Bird

Chapter 29

Astin pulled himself from the icy water, shivering so violently it made the short walk to the cliff face difficult. He glanced down at his knee, which was bloodied and purple. The current had been strong and the sharp rocks below the surface devious. He paused at the bottom of the vertical climb, mapping out his path before starting. He had done it enough times to know the areas to avoid.

It took him twenty minutes to reach the top, then another five minutes to get up the wall.

‘Get yourself cleaned up,’ the warden said the second his feet hit the wall walk. ‘The king wants to see you.’

He held his knees, catching his breath. ‘About?’

‘About returning as his personal bodyguard.’

Astin licked his lips, tasting blood. ‘I don’t think that’s a good idea.’

‘It is not a request, defender. It is an order.’

Astin bit his tongue, knowing he would be in a better position to help his family if he kept in favour with the king. ‘Yes, sir.’

Shapur looked around. ‘King Borin was expecting you to grow restless in the role, so I suggest you play along with his narrative.’

He nodded, wiped a hand down his face, then watched Shapur walk away.

After a wash and a visit to the infirmary to have his knee bandaged, Astin went to see the king.

‘Well timed,’ Borin said. ‘You can escort me for the evening.’

Astin stepped aside as the king exited the room, then followed him out.

‘You should have come to me directly,’ Borin said, slowing to walk beside him. ‘I know her to be tedious.’

It took Astin a moment to realise he was referring to Lyndal. ‘I thought it best to think about a more permanent arrangement for Lady Lyndal since she’ll be remaining at Eldon Castle long term.’

‘She is a handful, no doubt about it,’ the king said. ‘From what the warden has told me, however, Thornton can handle her.’

Astin kept his eyes trained ahead, teeth pressing hard together.

‘Fear not,’ the king went on. ‘You are back at my side now.’ He paused. ‘Though you will not be escorting me to the farming borough for business. I cannot have your family squabbles interfering with the important work we are doing.’

Astin’s eyes went to him. ‘Business with Cooper Brooke?’

A nod. ‘I know you two have history.’

‘I wouldn’t trust that man as far as I can throw him. You should watch your back.’

Borin tutted. ‘I find him to be a very progressive sort of man.’

That spoke volumes.

‘Tonight’s guests are not thrilled at the recent news of my engagement,’ Borin continued. ‘And who can blame them? We are breaking with tradition. However, the merchants like her, and anything that gets them off my back is a good thing.’ He stopped when they reached the entrance to the hall and looked at Astin. ‘Goodness gracious. You look positively miserable. It is a feast, for heaven’s sake. It seems you returned to me just in time.’ He tugged his tunic straight, then stepped inside.

Borin strode in with his chin jutted out and one arm tucked behind his back. He was under the illusion that certain poses made him appear more mature than his twenty years, when in fact they only made him look like an even bigger fool.

‘His Majesty King Borin of Chadora’ came the announcement. The room fell silent to watch the king enter.

Astin walked over to Thatchere, another bodyguard who was already inside. ‘Make sure everything is tasted before it comes into this room. And I want eyes on every door.’

Thatchere nodded.

Then Astin did what he did best: he made himself invisible for the evening. He took note of the guests in attendance, any weapons displayed or concealed, and made a mental note of anything or anyone the slightest bit suspicious. He watched carefully as the king moved about the room, greeting guests and accepting their lukewarm congratulations. Lord Thomas Welche was, of course, in attendance with his wife and daughter. Astin noticed that the guests offered their congratulations to him also, as if Lyndal’s achievement was somehow his doing. The lord accepted the sentiments, all the while presenting his daughter at every opportunity. With her cousin betrothed to the king, Lady Kendra was now prime picking for eligible lords.

When Lyndal appeared at the door, the room fell silent again, guests casting both curious and judgemental glances in her direction. Astin could hear them quietly scrutinising everything from her gown to her gait as she went to greet the man she was to marry. She did not seem concerned by the negative attention, her face calm and always a smile upon it. But he expected nothing less from her.

Astin did not let his eyes linger on her for long. The memories from that morning were too fresh for that. He could still feel the weight of her on his lap, recall the exact temperature of her mouth, and hear her exhale when his hand had climbed her thigh. Her hair had been loose, soft golden waves falling down her shoulders. Now it was pulled tightly back, so she was all painted lips and coloured cheeks. A pearl necklace hung around that pretty neck of hers. Even without the crown, she was a true queen.

Astin tried very hard to focus on other things, but his eyes kept returning to her. When her gaze drifted in his direction, he saw all the confidence drain from her face. He hated being the reason for her deflation, so he looked away.

Keep the king safe, see him back to his quarters, then return to the barracks. He had done it a thousand times before. So why did the job feel like such a slog suddenly?

Roul came to stand beside him, eyes sweeping the room.

‘Keep an eye on Lord Thomas,’ Astin said. ‘I don’t trust him.’

Roul glanced in the lord’s direction. ‘Noted.’

He knew he should not ask, but he did it anyway. ‘How did she seem this afternoon?’

‘Better since her sister arrived. She was a mess after the announcement.’

Astin blinked slowly and said nothing.

A moment later, Lyndal’s soft laughter rang out, drawing the attention of everyone around her. And there was that smile that could bring any man to his knees—except the king, apparently.

Turning his attention back to Borin, he tried his best to shut her out.

Lyndal tried very hard not to be sick all over herself in the middle of the crowded room. She had no idea how she was supposed to survive the evening under such intense scrutiny. Borin had a way of making her feel no better than the servants bringing out the food—extra problematic because she was no better than the servants bringing out the food. She was as common as they came, and everyone there knew it. She may have been more educated than some due to her mother’s extraordinary effort, but nowhere near as accomplished as the other women in the room. It was unfortunate that she was the only one with a plan to help the merchants. It meant she had to swallow down her nausea and keep that frozen smile on her face. Except every time her eyes drifted in Astin’s direction—which was far too often—it became harder and harder to maintain.

It stung how easily he had slipped back into his life before her. But that was defenders for you. If only she could switch her feelings off so easily. He had a way of dominating the room by simply being present. It was partly due to his height but mostly his confidence. Why did he have to be so easy on the eye? Why did her insides float at the sight of him in his black uniform and leather armour?

Lyndal spotted Kendra alone at the food table, so she excused herself from the conversation between Borin and Lady Petula. The two cousins had not spoken since Kendra’s sudden departure, and she could not stand the thought of there being bad blood between them.

‘I was hoping to see you tonight,’ Lyndal said, her stomach in knots.

Kendra turned in surprise. ‘Cousin.’ She found a smile. ‘Congratulations. What happy news.’

‘Thank you.’ At least she was being civil. ‘I just wanted to say how sorry I am.’

‘For what?’

Lyndal tilted her head. ‘You know what.’

Kendra exhaled with relief. ‘It is me who should be apologising. I left you here believing I resented you. I do not resent you, I envy you. Every woman in this room envies you.’

Lyndal had not been expecting that. ‘What?’

‘I understand if you no longer wish to—’

She pulled her cousin to her, holding tightly. ‘I didn’t know about any of this before coming here. I swear to you. I was rooting for you.’

‘I know you were.’ Kendra pulled away. ‘Now, we must not set tongues wagging with emotional displays.’

Lyndal exhaled. ‘See? You’re a better queen than me already.’

‘Nonsense.’ Kendra waved a hand. ‘I am simply more experienced in navigating this particular crowd.’

Lyndal saw her uncle making his way towards them, his eyes fixed on her. She held her breath.

‘Niece,’ he said by way of greeting.

She knew there was no chance of him calling her Lady Lyndal. Post-crown would be an interesting time. ‘You look well, Uncle.’

He smiled, but it looked wrong. ‘I hear congratulations are in order.’

She bowed her head. ‘Thank you.’ Her eyes went to the wall where her bodyguard was watching the exchange. She expected Roul to be keeping an eye on her—it was his job. But she found Astin watching her also. It seemed he was unable to break the habit.

‘I am pleased you could make it this evening, Lady Kendra,’ the king said, joining the group.

Lyndal jumped at his sudden appearance. It was an unsettling thought that the two men standing on either side of her held all the power to make or break her between them.

‘Your Majesty,’ Kendra said, curtsying.

Borin’s eyes moved over her. ‘My betrothed will soon be selecting her ladies-in-waiting, and I do hope to see you among them.’

There was something in his tone that made Lyndal look at the ground.

‘I am honoured by the invitation,’ Kendra replied.

Lyndal wondered if Kendra knew what she was really agreeing to. Then she wondered if she was supposed to turn a blind eye to those things already. The answer was probably yes.

‘You do not have a drink,’ Borin said, turning to Lyndal. ‘And this is a celebration.’

There were two reasons for that: the first being she could not stomach it, and the second being the thought of someone appearing to sample everything she put into her mouth.

‘Shall I fetch someone?’ Kendra said, looking around.

Thomas stopped her with a shake of his head. It was likely his pride could not take it.

‘No need.’ Borin gestured to a servant by the wall. The boy came forwards with a tray, a single cup of wine on it. The king picked it up and handed it to her.

Lyndal was relieved when no one raced up to taste it on her behalf.

‘To the happy couple,’ Thomas said, lifting his goblet.

Lyndal raised her cup, then drank.

Astin was supposed to be watching the king or watching the room, not watching her. But she had a way of holding his full attention. It had been that way since the beginning, even if he did not care to admit it. It was even more difficult to look away when she had the king on one side of her and Lord Thomas on the other. She was a fish between two sharks.

‘Isn’t someone supposed to sample that?’ Roul asked, straightening.

Astin watched as she lifted her cup in an awkward toast. ‘Everything’s tested before it’s brought in. That’s the best we can do at gatherings like these.’

She drank and looked into the cup. It was subtle, but he saw her recoil at the taste. She sniffed the drink before turning her attention back to the conversation going on around her.

Astin narrowed his eyes. He had seen her drink enough wine to know she was no snob when it came to quality. He also knew King Borin’s collection was one of the finest in Europe.

Astin’s eyes shot to the servant walking away with the tray. Every hair on his body stood on end. Then his feet were moving. Slipping between the guests, he snatched the cup from Lyndal’s hand.

Her mouth fell open. ‘Excuse me.’

He brought it to his nose, then turned to Roul, who had followed him. ‘Hemlock. Find the servant.’

Lady Kendra’s face paled. ‘Hemlock? Is that not highly poisonous?’

Lyndal brought a hand to her lips.

‘You can tell that from smell?’ the king asked, keeping his voice low so as to not draw attention.

Astin did not stick around to explain the extent of his training. Taking Lyndal by the wrist, he pulled her towards the door.

‘I drank it,’ she said behind him.

He dodged between the guests, pulling her faster still. ‘I know.’ The moment they stepped out into the fountain court, he turned to her. ‘Bend over and open your mouth.’

Her eyes widened slightly. ‘What?’

‘Do it!’

She bent, leaning on her knees. He pushed two fingers into her mouth until he felt her gag, then withdrew them. She managed to take a few steps in an effort to get away from the door before being sick on the ground. Straightening, she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

He led her to the fountain. ‘Clean your mouth out, but don’t swallow the water.’

Again, she did as she was told.

He noticed her hand was trembling when she scooped up the water. ‘How’s your heart rate?’ His own was elevated. ‘Salivation? Any nausea?’

She looked up at him. ‘All of the above, but it’s not from the wine.’

He reminded himself to breathe.

‘I just thought it was bad,’ she said, ‘and I didn’t want to embarrass the king. I’m fine. Really.’

It took all his effort not to go to her. He wanted to cradle that head of hers, sit beside her with his fingers on her pulse just to be sure. But he did none of those things.

‘What in heaven’s name is going on?’ Queen Fayre asked as she rushed over to the fountain. ‘The king said something about poisoning.’

Astin took a step back. ‘I’ll have it tested, but it smelled like hemlock to me.’

‘I barely drank any,’ Lyndal said, standing to prove she was fine.

Fayre looked between them. ‘Where’s Thornton?’

‘He went after the man who served her,’ Astin said.

Fayre’s eyes moved over him. ‘Are you not supposed to be guarding the king?’

‘He was just about to head back in,’ Lyndal said.

Astin looked in the direction of the hall. ‘I expected him to follow me out given his betrothed was poisoned right in front of him.’

The queen mother did not even blink. ‘His Majesty must remain with his guests to prevent damaging rumours. I am here in his place.’ She turned to Lyndal. ‘I think it best if we have the castle’s physician check you over.’

Lyndal frowned. ‘The king will lose his mind if I abandon his guests.’

‘Let me worry about that. We have a wedding coming up, and I need you healthy.’ Fayre turned to Astin. ‘How did you know there was something in her drink?’

How was he supposed to answer that? Should he admit to watching her all night instead of the king? Confess to knowing every expression of hers and what each one meant? He could translate every crinkle of her nose.

‘Thornton asked me if the wine had been tested, and I noticed she had a reaction to the taste.’

‘How very lucky for her.’ The queen looked over her shoulder. ‘I better have that mess cleaned up before someone steps in it.’

‘It’s my mess,’ Lyndal said, moving to leave. ‘I’ll clean it up.’

Astin caught her arm, then immediately let go. ‘You need to be checked by a physician.’

‘He is right,’ Fayre said. ‘I shall have a guard escort you to your bedchamber. Thornton and the warden will handle the investigation and report back to me when they have all the facts.’ Her eyes went to Astin. ‘Thank you for your assistance, Fletcher.’

He was being dismissed, and he had no choice but to leave her.

‘Your Majesty,’ he said, bowing his head. He did not risk another glance at Lyndal before striding away, unclenching his fists and stretching out his fingers before disappearing into the hall.