Defender of Hearts by Tanya Bird
Chapter 7
Kendra sat in one of the expensive chairs in the solar that connected the two bedchambers, occasionally touching a finger to the corner of her painted mouth. Lyndal, not used to being idle, paced the length of the room. Waiting around to be summoned by Queen Fayre was a special kind of torture for her. There was nothing to keep her busy in the meantime. Nothing to clean, no food to prepare or water to fetch.
No boars to wrestle.
‘Oh do sit down,’ Kendra said in a pained tone. ‘You are wearing a track in the rug.’
Lyndal stepped off the rug onto the hardwood floor and resumed pacing. A knock at the door made her stop and turn.
Kendra rose elegantly from her chair and went to open it. A young servant boy stood in the corridor.
‘Her Majesty Queen Fayre has requested your company in the garden terrace, my lady,’ he said.
Kendra nodded and looked back at Lyndal. ‘I believe we are ready to join her.’
The women followed the servant along the west corridor, down some stairs, and through a narrow door that opened to a large terrace. Lyndal paused when she stepped out, looking around at the trellis walkways and arbours, likely once used for shade. The garden beds were raised to prevent waterlogging. They were exploding with mature herbs and colourful plants. Exotic birds hung in cages along the castle wall—as trapped as she was. Immaculately trimmed hedges and wattle fences marked the perimeter.
‘Do come along,’ Kendra whispered over her shoulder.
Lyndal hurried forwards, spotting the queen alone by the fishpond in the middle of the terrace. A few yards past her, seven women were seated playing chess and talking among themselves.
‘Your Majesty,’ Kendra said as they neared the pond. She fell into a low curtsy, Queen Fayre’s inquisitive eyes following every movement. ‘What a lovely space this is. Was this your vision?’
Kendra was right at home in this setting, knowing exactly what to say. And Lyndal was happy to let her do the talking.
‘Actually, my vision had a lot more citrus trees and flowers in it,’ the queen mother replied. ‘However, we must all make do without those things for now.’ Her eyes went to Lyndal. ‘I am so pleased you decided to join your cousin. What do you think of my home?’
Lyndal looked around the terrace. ‘It’s enormous. I’m certain I’ll get lost—frequently.’
Fayre smiled.
‘And you’ve still managed to create a colourful space without citrus trees and flowers,’ Lyndal added, looking over her shoulder at the cages.
‘Are you fond of birds?’ the queen mother asked.
‘I’m fond of them flying in the sky. Not one for cages, I’m afraid.’
‘Well, I think they are a lovely feature,’ Kendra said.
Queen Fayre watched the birds for a moment. ‘I find their silence unsettling. However, the king is fond of them, so they remain. Imported all the way from Africa, I believe.’
That made Lyndal feel even more sorry for them. ‘What must birds born of heat and sun think of our frigid temperatures and constant rain?’
The queen mother’s eyes returned to her. ‘I am certain they think us mad for living here and cruel for forcing them to suffer alongside us.’
The sadness in her tone made Lyndal swallow.
‘Come,’ Fayre said, suddenly upbeat. ‘I shall introduce you to the other ladies, and we can hopefully squeeze in a few games of chess before the rain starts up again. Do you both play?’
‘I love the game,’ Kendra replied quickly.
‘What about you?’ Fayre asked Lyndal as they wandered to the small tables where the other women were gathered.
‘I play, but not well, Your Majesty. I lack the patience required. Lady Kendra, on the other hand, is quite skilled.’
‘My cousin exaggerates,’ Kendra said, a hand going to her chest in a gesture of modesty.
Queen Fayre smiled at her. ‘We shall soon find out.’
The other women looked in their direction as they approached, wearing smiles that did not match the top halves of their faces. Lyndal reminded herself to smile back as the women gleefully assessed her attire. Her mother’s words came to mind.
‘If you can find a way to fit in, then you will have no trouble finding a suitable husband.’
Flashing her teeth, she offered herself up as prey.
Astin spotted Harlan standing in the far corner of the armoury, head bent as he inspected a shield. He walked over, stepping over the weapons laid out on the ground.
‘Thornton thinks some extra weight in the shields will help build strength,’ Harlan said when Astin appeared beside him.
Astin took the shield and tested the weight. It was surprisingly heavy. He flipped it over to find iron bars attached to the back. ‘Clever.’ He handed it over. ‘You heading home soon?’
‘The second I’m finished here.’ Harlan turned to face him. ‘You see Lyndal yet?’
‘I was out front when they arrived.’
Harlan headed for the door. ‘She seem in good spirits?’
‘Given I was the first person she saw upon arrival, yes.’
Harlan chuckled. ‘That was lucky timing. One might think you planned it that way.’
‘Don’t start. I saw the wagon. I was being nice.’
Harlan glanced sideways at him. ‘Right place, right time. Got it.’
‘You can’t ask me to watch out for her, then throw shit at me when I do.’
‘Why not?’
Astin bumped him into the door frame as they stepped outside. Harlan swore, righted himself, and followed him out.
‘I appreciate you looking out for her,’ Harlan said, catching up to him. ‘Kendra tends to look out for herself.’
‘Figured as much.’
The pair headed for the mounting yard, where Harlan’s horse was saddled and waiting for him.
‘The king tell you he went to the farming borough this morning while you were off duty?’ Harlan asked.
Astin squinted in the direction of the castle. ‘No. He failed to mention that. Any idea what he was doing there?’
‘Your stepfather came to the gate earlier. I suspect that had something to do with it.’
Astin exhaled. ‘Probably why he didn’t bring it up.’
Harlan chuckled.
‘He makes it really hard to keep him alive sometimes.’
‘Only sometimes?’
When they reached Harlan’s horse, Astin waited for the groom to leave before asking, ‘Does the thought of those two men having direct dealings with one another fill you with as much fear as it does me?’
Harlan mounted and looked down at him. ‘Safe to assume they’re not sharing strategies on how to better help the poor. Talk to Presley about it next time you see her. She did say she wanted to see you before her wedding.’
‘Not sure an interrogation is what she had in mind.’
‘But not tonight,’ Harlan said, swinging his horse around and nudging the mare forwards. ‘Tonight, enjoy the fact that someone else is keeping the king alive and get some sleep.’
‘That is such a married person thing to say,’ Astin called to him. ‘Perhaps I’ll go to the tavern for a few ales.’
Harlan emitted a low laugh before kicking his horse into a canter.