‘You will leave when I tell you to,’ Borin shouted.
The door flew open, and Astin stepped into the room, looking between them.
‘What is it?’ Borin roared.
Astin replied calmly, ‘The night guard is here to escort Lady Lyndal back to her room.’
‘Then tell him she is not ready!’
Lyndal thought she would take advantage of the opportunity and slip past the king, but he seized her by the wrist as she passed, yanking her backwards. Her feet could not backtrack fast enough, and she fell, her arm twisting awkwardly. Before she even had a chance to register the pain, her arm was freed and she was back on her feet.
‘You dare lay a hand on your king!’ Borin shouted at Astin, his voice oddly high-pitched.
Astin pulled Lyndal behind him before unhanding the king.
‘Move aside, Fletcher,’ Borin said, his face bright red. ‘I shall deal with you in a minute.’
Astin shook his head. ‘I can’t do that, Your Majesty. It’s my job to protect you and that includes preserving your reputation. To let you continue down this path would be negligent.’
The king’s eyes flashed. ‘This is a private matter, and I am telling you to step aside.’
‘And I’m telling you no.’ Astin’s words were slow and even. ‘Your father never laid a hand on your mother. It’s one of the reasons you looked up to him.’
Borin’s face twitched a few times. Looking at Lyndal, he said, ‘This conversation is not over.’ He tugged his tunic back into place. ‘Get her out of here before I do something I regret.’
Astin ushered Lyndal through the door, pulling it closed behind them. They fled down the empty corridor. Lyndal’s trembling had grown to shaking, and she could do nothing to stop it.
‘It’s the fear working its way out of your body,’ Astin said quietly. ‘It’ll stop in a few minutes.’
She was vaguely aware of him stopping to give instructions to another defender, and then they were walking again. Lyndal tried to form words but found herself choking on them.
‘It’s all right,’ he said, reading her mind. ‘Just walk.’ He kept a firm hold of her arm.
When they rounded the corner, she stopped walking and looked up at him, eyes brimming with tears, but still no words.
His eyes reflected the flame from the torch above. ‘Just give yourself a minute.’
‘I’m sorry.’
‘Don’t say that.’ He smoothed her hair, then held her face. ‘Don’t say sorry.’
‘But now he’s angry atyou.’
‘Shh. Don’t worry about that. I can handle him.’ He peered into her face. ‘Did he hurt you?’
She shook her head, blinked, then wiped away the fresh tears. ‘No.’
He took hold of her arm again and continued walking. ‘Let’s get you to your sister.’
‘We can’t tell her,’ Lyndal said. ‘You know what she’s like.’
Astin glanced sideways at her and exhaled. ‘I have to go back. If the warden learns I left my post—’
‘Of course. You should go.’ When they reached her door, she looked up at him. ‘I’m so sorry.’ She said it with a smile, yet tears continued to fall.
‘Stop.’
‘It’s my fault though. I said things.’
