‘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, myduty, 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.
