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?’
‘GivenIwas the first person she saw upon arrival, yes.’
Harlan chuckled. ‘That was lucky timing. One might think youplannedit 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.’
