‘Level head,’ Astin said, voice low. ‘I’ll be waiting right here for you.’
She nodded, then stiffened when the door swung open again. When she entered, she found the queen mother seated comfortably on the lounge. The fire was ablaze with fresh wood, making the air stifling.
‘Please,’ the queen said, gesturing to one of the chairs. ‘It is best if you are seated for this conversation.’ She offered a smile no doubt intended to ease nerves.
Lyndal walked over to the chair and lowered herself into it, pressing the tips of her fingers into the expensive fabric.
‘Level head.’
She raised her chin. ‘I’m listening, Your Majesty.’
Chapter 17
‘It’s been three days,’ Harlan said. ‘And still she’s not said a word to you?’
Astin shook his head. ‘Not one word.’
‘And she’s not left her bedchamber?’
‘There’s a guard posted outside her door every minute.’
They were seated at a table by the tavern window, watching the merchants come and go from the dock. The air smelled of salt, blood, and manure. While more livestock was arriving on the ships each month, at least half of it never made it out of the port borough due to disease. Sick animals were slaughtered on the beach and thrown into the water. The merchants would wait in the shallows with spears and catch the fish that arrived to eat the contaminated carcasses.
‘We can’t help her if she doesn’t tell us what’s going on,’ Harlan said, taking a swig of his ale.
Astin was technically off duty but refrained from drinking. He wanted a clear head when Lyndal finally decided to exit her room. He had thought he was doing the right thing by giving her space and time, a few hours to digest whatever it was Queen Fayre had told her. He never imagined that would turn into three days.
‘We just ignore the rumours, right?’ Harlan asked, looking down at his cup.
‘She’s not sharing the king’s bed, if that’s what you’re asking.’
Harlan nodded. ‘I think their little dance at the festival gave a different impression. The nobility are losing their mind at the mere thought of a merchant mistress.’
‘And the merchants are practically celebrating in the streets.’
Harlan emptied his drink. ‘Shame we can’t peer inside Queen Fayre’s devious mind and see what’s really at play here.’
‘We’ll find out soon enough.’
The warden appeared at the tavern window, looking between them, then down at Harlan’s empty cup. ‘Early finish?’
The men rose and stood to attention.
‘I’m off duty and about to head home,’ Harlan replied. ‘You should come for dinner.’
‘Some of us work full days,’ Shapur replied before turning his attention to Astin. ‘Any reason you are here when the woman under your protection is out on the terrace?’
‘The guard was supposed to fetch me if she emerged.’ Astin knocked his chair backwards as he jumped out the open window instead of using the door.
‘Perhaps he did not think to check thetavern,’ Shapur fired back.
Harlan spoke up at that. ‘He hasn’t been drinking.’
‘I’ll head there now, sir.’
‘Fletcher,’ the warden said, stopping him in his tracks. ‘Stay alert. Big news is about to break, and a lot of very powerful people are not going to like it.’
Astin exchanged a glance with Harlan, then saluted before jogging off in the direction of the castle.
