Reading his discomfort, Blake answered on his behalf. ‘There’s a sister, a half-sister, a mother, and a stepfather we’re not supposed to mention.’
‘So not an orphan,’ Lyndal said.
‘What made you think I was an orphan?’ Astin asked.
‘You.You made me think that. You and your life, and your… your lack of family. Every meal eaten here instead of in the farming borough made me think that.’
‘Perhaps it has something to do with the stepfather we’re not supposed to talk about,’ Blake whispered.
‘Here comes another one,’ Astin said, grateful for the distraction.
Two more boarlets arrived in quick succession, bringing the total to eight. They waited for more, and when none came, the three of them sat watching them. After feeding, the boarlets all fell asleep, stacked neatly in a row. Garlic wandered over and jumped up onto Blake’s lap, eyeing the new additions. Lyndal was leaning forwards, unable to stop touching the new arrivals.
‘So much cuteness,’ she said quietly. ‘Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?’
Astin was no longer looking at the boarlets. He was watching her. ‘No,’ he said before looking away. His gaze met Blake’s in the process. Those sharp eyes of hers did not miss much. Standing, he brushed wood shavings off his trousers. ‘It’s time to go. Say goodbye and meet me at the horses.’
Lyndal appeared taken aback by the abrupt departure. ‘That’s awfully trusting of you. Shouldn’t you frisk Blake before leaving?’
‘And have Harlan beat me to a pulp when he learns of it later?’ he replied. ‘No, thanks.’ He nodded a farewell at Blake before turning away. ‘Don’t be long.’
Chapter 12
The next week passed in a blur of social gatherings and chess matches. Then suddenly they were six days out from the Solar Festival, having more conversations about dresses than Lyndal could stomach.
‘What do you think of this one?’ Kendra asked Lyndal. ‘Too yellow?’
‘We’re celebrating Belenus,’ Lyndal replied. ‘There’s no such thing as too yellow when it comes to sun gods.’
She was saved by a knock at the door, yet another invitation to play chess on the terrace. By the time the women left their quarters the rain fell heavy. Lyndal expected the gathering to be moved indoors, but when they arrived, she found Queen Fayre and the king seated comfortably beneath umbrellas the size of wagons. Servants held the umbrellas in place, blinking against the rain pounding their faces.
‘Dear God,’ Lyndal whispered to Kendra as they remained tucked in the doorway, taking in the scene.
Kendra pointed. ‘Oh, look. Here come some more umbrellas. We will be fine.’
‘We will, but what about the poor servants holding them?’ She looked over her shoulder at Astin, whose expression matched her own. ‘This is insanity,’ she mouthed.
He stepped out into the weather without saying a word, taking his usual position against the wall. At least he was mostly under cover there. Kendra and Lyndal had no choice but to move beneath the waiting umbrellas and join the royal family for chess.
‘Lyndal, you can play me,’ Queen Fayre said, gesturing to the seat opposite.
Lyndal took a seat, the umbrella moving with her, then watched as Kendra floated over to the table where the king waited. Her cousin curtsied, said something that made him smile, then lowered herself elegantly into the chair opposite him.
‘I know it is wet,’ Queen Fayre said, reading her mind, ‘but fresh air is very important.’
Lyndal snuck a look over her shoulder and found Astin watching her. It was comforting knowing there was one other sane person on that terrace. ‘I believe it’s your turn to go first,’ she said as she faced forwards again.
‘I believe you are right.’
They played to a chorus of rain splattering around them, her cousin’s delicate laughter occasionally drifting in their direction. It seemed every word the king uttered amused her. There were sure signs of attraction from both parties. Lyndal could see it in the way he leaned in when he spoke, the way his eyes fell to Kendra’s mouth when she replied.
‘Checkmate,’ Fayre said, sitting back.
Lyndal’s eyes snapped back to the board, and sure enough, she had lost—again. She had yet to beat the queen mother, and it was not because she was letting her win.
‘Time to change players,’ Fayre said, waving her hand. ‘You can switch seats with Lady Kendra.’
Lyndal glanced at Borin, who appeared annoyed by the suggestion. ‘His Majesty seems quite happy with his current opponent.’
