‘In fact, I would like to request that all these people standing before you be allowed to leave,’ Lyndal said, shrugging free of her cousin’s grip. ‘Simpler still to just put an end to the insanity. They’re quite capable of isolating themselves if they truly believe they’re a risk to their families.’
‘Are you finished?’ Queen Fayre asked, her tone even.
Kendra’s lips were pressed together so tightly at that point that all colour had left them.
‘Yes,’ Lyndal said, her voice catching as her head caught up with the words that had tumbled out of her. ‘I think that covers all the… relevant points.’
The queen turned to one of her guards. ‘Have a physician brought in. If he can confirm that these people are not contagious, they are free to return to the borough. Say nothing to the king until I have spoken to him.’
Kendra looked heavenwards, releasing the breath she had been holding. The merchants were all staring at Lyndal as though she were a goddess sent to save them. For all Astin knew, maybe she was.
‘Your Majesty,’ Lyndal began, ‘I—’
Fayre raised a hand, cutting her off. ‘I came here to see the situation for myself. I always intended to send the merchants home if there was no need for them to be here.’ A coy smile appeared on her face. ‘But the cabbage was a nice touch,’ she said as she stepped between the girls and headed for the carriage.
Laughter rose up Astin’s throat, but because he was on duty, he swallowed it down and bit back the accompanying grin.
‘Oh my goodness,’ Kendra muttered, head shaking as she followed the queen.
Lyndal stared after them, her face slack. ‘Not a word, defender,’ she warned.
He raised his hands. ‘I believe you’ve said enough for all of us.’
She cast a venomous look in his direction before dragging her feet all the way to the carriage.
Chapter 11
Lyndal stepped out into the corridor and pulled the door closed behind her. ‘Pig’s in labour?’
‘We’ve been over this,’ Astin said from behind Harlan. ‘It’s a boar.’
‘A boar the girls named Pig,’ Harlan said.
Astin muttered something Lyndal chose to ignore. ‘I really wanted to be there for the birth. Do you suppose I would be allowed to return home for a few hours? I could be back before dinner tonight.’
Harlan was already backing away from the conversation. ‘You’re going to have to ask your bodyguard about that. I’ve passed on the message, so my job’s done.’
‘Coward,’ Astin said.
The commander made a crude gesture over his shoulder before strolling off down the corridor.
‘Perhaps you could find a reason for us to leave?’ Lyndal asked Astin, eyes pleading. ‘Please. These boarlets are very important.’
He looked back at her with scepticism. ‘I know for a fact that Wright House has enough food to sustain your family.’
‘The boarlets are not for us. They’ll go to merchant families in need.’
Astin’s resigned expression gave her hope.
He drew a long breath and said, ‘You do not leave this room. Understand?’
‘I swear before Belenus.’
Lyndal returned inside her bedchamber, pacing the length of the room and wondering what to do about Kendra. She knew her cousin would much prefer to remain at Eldon Castle than watch a boar give birth.
It was thirty minutes later when there was a knock at the door. She rushed to answer it, and Astin’s eyes moved over her.
‘You already have your cloak on,’ he said.
