Astin’s eyebrows came together in a hard line. ‘I beg your pardon?’
Borin met his eyes in the glass. ‘Relax, Fletcher. No one will be shooting arrows at me with her planted at my side. I can see you are still upset with me for assigning you to the women.’
‘Not at all.’
‘If you truly desire to be back in my service, all you need do is ask.’
Astin drew a breath. ‘I’d prefer to follow orders, Your Majesty. I’ll consult directly with the warden about the safest way to proceed.’
‘Do not fret about me. The warden has assured me I will be quite safe with what he has planned.’
Astin’s gaze fell to the ground. ‘While that’s a relief indeed, my focus is on the ladies under my protection.’
Borin waved a hand. ‘I cannot foresee any issues with my best guard on the job.’
‘Is that all, Your Majesty?’ Astin asked, impatient to flee.
‘Actually, there was another matter I wanted to discuss.’ Borin turned once more and extended a hand for the servant to slip rings on. ‘It is regarding Lyndal.’
That got Astin’s full attention. ‘Yes?’
‘Pretty thing. Dull in conversation, however.’
Astin scraped his teeth over his lower lip and waited.
‘I wish to know if her virtue is intact,’ Borin said, lifting his jewelled hand and admiring it. ‘I imagine she has been on her best behaviour since arriving here, but every woman has a past. Wright should be able to speak on the subject, though if I went to him directly, I doubt he would be very forthcoming given our history.’
Astin reminded himself to breathe. ‘Why?’ The word came out choked, prompting Borin to look in his direction.
‘What do you mean,why?’
‘What do you need that information for?’
Borin straightened and stared at him. ‘Because I wish to know. A king is not required to explain himself to anyone.’
Astin wet his lips and glanced at the window. ‘Lyndal is a lady in every sense of the word. To question that does her a dishonour.’
Borin took a step in his direction. ‘What is the matter with you? I have asked something of you, and still you stand here. You are dismissed, defender.’
He knew his time was up when the king addressed him as ‘defender’. Bowing his head, he left the room.
‘He just keeps getting better,’ Astin told Harlan.
They were standing at the edge of the training yard, watching Roul Thornton fight.
‘He’ll be warden before we know it,’ Harlan said, turning to Astin. He looked him up and down. ‘What’s wrong with you? You look like a kicked puppy. Where are the girls?’
‘Safely with the queen mother on the terrace. I’ve just been to see the king.’
‘Ah. So you’re pissed off at the king. What did he do now?’
Astin’s mouth soured. ‘He was asking about Lyndal’s… history.’
A confused look came over Harlan’s face. ‘What history?’
Astin met his gaze, and Harlan’s features hardened in response.
‘He seriously asked you if she was a virgin?’
