‘I shall address the crowd, and then we can leave,’ the king told her through a gap in his guards. ‘It can be a long wait for them to die, and we have a schedule to keep.’
Lyndal pressed her eyes shut.
It was time for one of Borin’s infamous speeches.
As the king strode off, she tried to imagine a lifetime of his speeches. Perhaps he would write some just for her. Daily lectures detailing all the different ways she had disappointed him.
‘Your sisters are here,’ Astin said, pulling her from her thoughts. ‘And judging by the looks on their faces, I think they received your letter.’
Heart thudding, Lyndal searched for them amid the hungry faces, spotting them at the edge of the square. It was clear they had not come for the execution.
As soon as the king was out of sight, Blake and Eda approached the horses.
‘Are you going to dismount willingly, or shall we drag you from your mount?’ Blake asked.
Lyndal looked to Astin, who was waiting for her reply. ‘She threatens to drag me from my horse and you just sit there?’
He shrugged. ‘If they pull a weapon on you, I’ll be sure to lend a hand.’
Exhaling noisily, Lyndal dismounted and went to face her sisters. She braced when Blake came at her, but then her sister surprised her by pulling her into her arms, holding so tightly Lyndal teared up. As much as she wanted to fix the broken kingdom, the personal cost would be enormous.
‘Imagine my disappointment,’ the king shouted out over the crowd, ‘discovering that the people I work so hard to protect choose to fight me every step of the way.’
Lyndal led her sisters away from the crowd so they could speak. Astin followed with the horses, leaving enough distance to allow them privacy. Years of guarding the king had taught him how to be close and invisible at the same time.
So it’s true, then?Eda signed.You’re really going to marry him?
‘Nothing’s official. It’s a trial, of sorts.’
Blake was staring at her like she had antlers. ‘So you’re courting?’
How she hated that word. ‘Courtship makes it all sound so pleasant. Right now we’re just trying to get along.’
Then why do it at all?Eda signed.
‘Your letter was a little light on details,’ Blake said, glaring. ‘I’m guessing this was one of Queen Fayre’s bold ideas.’
Lyndal chewed her lip. ‘Her reasoning is sound.’
‘Sound for whom?’ Blake said. ‘You do understand what marriage entails? You’ll share a bed with him, birth his monstrous babies, and spend your leisure hours watching him hang people just like us.’
Lyndal let out a shaky breath. ‘If I’m queen, I’ll be able to help people like us.’
Mother was too upset to come,Eda signed.
Lyndal rubbed her forehead where a headache was starting. ‘She was the one who wanted me to go to court. She said it would open doors. Well, a door opened.’
Blake grabbed hold of her arms. ‘When the door to hell opens, you slam it shut, not step inside.’
Lyndal pulled out of her grip. ‘Look around you. People are still dying. As a merchant, I can help a handful of them at best. But if I’m queen, I can lift the entire borough.’
Eda swallowed and looked away.
‘Have you forgotten what he did?’ Blake asked, her expression pleading.
Lyndal shook her head. ‘How could you ask me that? The reminders are everywhere—and these people are still living it.’ She looked in the king’s direction. He was wrapping up his speech, which meant she was almost out of time. ‘I’m going to help these people, and it would be really nice if you had my back. Don’t stand there and tell me I’m stupid. Tell me I’m brave.’
When Blake did not reply, she turned away, eyes stinging. ‘Tell Mother I said hello.’ She headed for her horse.
