Lyndal forced a smile. ‘The downside of being punctual, Your Majesty.’
His gaze went to the bow in Astin’s hands. ‘I see Fletcher has been showing you a thing or two.’ He clapped the defender on the back as he took the weapon from him. ‘It is a lot more difficult than it seems.’
Astin moved aside.
It was strange to be in someone’s company for less than a minute and feel done, but there she was, already wishing her time with the king was over. ‘I look forward to seeing what you can do.’
He clicked his fingers, like one does when gaining the attention of a dog, and held out his hand. Lyndal blinked in confusion.
‘Arrow,’ he said, his tone impatient.
Oh. He meant for her to fetch one for him. Slowly, she picked up one of the arrows lying by his feet, handed it to him, then moved aside. Borin loaded the weapon, aimed, and released, hitting the target’s edge.
‘Bow must need aligning,’ he said, clicking for another arrow.
Lyndal had never felt more like a merchant as she stepped forwards again to do his bidding.
The king reloaded the bow and took another shot, which was only slightly better than his last effort. ‘The rain,’ he explained, gesturing overhead. ‘Would you care to have a try?’
That seemed like progress—unless he drove the arrow through her neck at the last minute.
She took the bow, and he moved behind her as Astin had done. Arms went either side of her as he positioned her hands. He was not gentle—nor was he warm. The overpowering scent of perfume choked her, a contrast to Astin’s earthy scent, a scent she found herself leaning into.
She caught that thought.
That was only because he was more familiar to her. Perfectly natural after spending so much time together. When her eyes flicked to the bodyguard, she found him scowling, his jaw clenched. He was as uneasy in the king’s presence as she was—or perhaps uneasy on her behalf.
‘Elbow up, elbow up,’ Borin said, tapping her arm with two sharp fingers.
She was relieved when he finally stepped back. Looking down her arrow, she slowed her breath and let go. The arrow pierced the middle of the target. She knew it was a mistake the second she turned back to the king.
‘Beginner’s luck,’ he said, snatching the bow from her hands. ‘Very common.’
Why had she done that? Much better to miss completely than to wound his pride. She moved aside, eyes meeting Astin’s in the process. He winked at her before looking away.
Borin never offered her another turn. He spent the next hour showing off while she smiled and feigned interest in his mediocre skills.
She studied his showy gestures. Listened carefully to the words coming from his mouth. All while trying to picture herself as his wife, her hand in his as they took vows to love and be faithful to one another.
Lies.
She would not love him, and he would not be faithful to her. How could she ever love a man who put vengeance above all else? Though love had never really been on the cards for her anyway. Her uncle expected an advantageous marriage—though never in place of his own flesh and blood. Thinking back to their conversation at the festival, she suspected Thomas had known what was coming.
Dropping the bow on the ground, Borin turned to her suddenly. ‘I know Mother has already spoken to you of her wishes, so I shall not go over the details of the arrangement again. She assures me you will be cooperative over the coming weeks, compliant.’
Compliant?If her sisters had been present, they would have fallen to the ground in a fit of laughter, clutching their aching stomachs. It was the strangest commencement of a courtship speech she could fathom.
‘And we shall see what comes of it,’ he concluded.
She suspected there was a middle part she had missed.
‘Perhaps we could dine together this evening,’ she suggested. ‘Get to know one another a little better.’
He stared at her. ‘You think I do not know you?’
‘We’ve barely exchanged a handful of words.’
‘Sometimes that is all one needs to form an opinion.’ He looked in the direction of the castle. ‘I will be travelling to the farming borough tomorrow for business. Mother thinks it might be a good idea if you accompany me, let people get used to seeing you at my side. Fletcher can keep you out of trouble while I am taking meetings.’
