‘Queen Fayre.’
A laugh fell from him. ‘Queen Fayre fled to Toryn the moment her sons were old enough to fend for themselves. Is that your big plan? Give him an heir and a spare, then run?’ He pointed at the stack of parchment. ‘I didn’t see that in your notes.’
Her cheeks heated.
‘Plus,’ he continued, ‘you come across as the kind of woman who would be painfully involved in her children’s lives, not absent.’
Her mouth fell open. ‘Painfully involved?’
‘You know what I mean. It’s a compliment. You’ll be a great mother.’
That appeared to ease her agitation. ‘I’ll admit, I always pictured a very different sort of father for these imaginary children. A hard worker with useful skills to pass down. A man who taught respect by example.’
A strong work ethic was important to merchants.
‘Well,’ he said, ‘King Borin can teach your children to shoot a bow instead.’
‘As long as his bow is properly aligned.’
‘And there is no rain to throw his aim.’
She laughed that pretty laugh of hers, and he fell silent as he watched it play out.
‘I should go,’ he said. ‘Leave you to write that letter to your family explaining the whole “you’re about to be their queen” thing.’
She sighed. ‘You might need extra security at the gate post-delivery.’
He grinned at the ground as he backed away.
‘You think I’m making a mistake, don’t you?’ she asked, all humour gone from her voice.
‘It doesn’t matter what I think. It’s not my place to comment on who you marry.’
‘But I want you onside.’ She shook her head, embarrassed. ‘What I meant is—’
‘I know what you meant. You want a friend this side of the wall.’
Her eyes searched his. ‘Do I still have to call you Fletcher?’
‘I think we can drop the formalities now. You can address me as “Your Superiorship”.’
He turned to the door, and her laughter was the last thing he heard as he pulled it closed behind him.
Chapter 19
‘Ihave some business to tend to in the merchant borough,’ King Borin said through a baricade of guards as they headed for the wall.
Lyndal was supposed to accompany the king on horseback while he conducted business in the farming borough. A visit to the merchant borough had not been part of the plan. She knew there was only one reason for such a detour—and she was not prepared for it. The packed square waiting for them on the other side confirmed her fears.
Her mare stepped sideways as the portcullis rose. ‘Easy, girl,’ Lyndal said, knowing the animal was feeding off her nervous energy.
‘You don’t have to watch,’ Astin said quietly beside her. ‘We’ll wait at the back.’
Apparently her bodyguard was a mind reader. ‘Trial or execution?’
Astin nudged his horse forwards. ‘Both.’
As they entered the borough, her eyes went to the three men lined up against the wall, their hands tied in front of them.
