Astin threw his hands up. ‘There’s no motive. Plus it doesn’t make sense that he would set the castle on fire and then stay there, knowing he would either burn to death or be caught.’
All they had was a defender scratching an itch and a maid who claimed the fireplace in the solar was down to embers when she checked on it before retiring.
But someone locked that door.
‘Thanks for loaning me Thornton,’ Astin said. ‘I need someone trustworthy who’ll remain at his post.’
‘He should have waited until he was off duty, like you do.’
Astin did not even register his words. ‘I was hoping the fire might be enough to scare her home, but Queen Fayre’s still whispering promises into her ear.’
‘Wow.’ Harlan watched him a moment. ‘No pithy comeback? This is worse than I thought.’
Astin squinted in his direction. ‘What are you talking about?’
‘This is real. You have genuine feelings for Lyndal, and I’m at a loss at what to think about it.’
Astin ran a hand down his face, not bothering to deny it.
‘And now she’s going to marry the king.’ Harlan tutted. ‘That’s quite the mess you find yourself in.’
Astin paced a few steps, then stopped. ‘Let’s say you’re right. Say an attachment has formed. What do I do? How do I sever it?’
Harlan clapped him on the back. ‘You’re asking the wrong man. In my experience, it can’t be done.’
Astin closed his eyes and exhaled. ‘This is going to end badly.’
‘Have you told her how you feel? It might be mutual.’
‘God, listen to you. No, I haven’t fallen at her feet and sung of my undying love.’
Harlan’s eyebrows lifted. ‘Is that how you think it’s done?’
‘And it makes no difference if it’s mutual. If she’s prepared to sacrifice her family for this noble cause of hers, I’m irrelevant.’ His eyes went to the tower, which was alive with activity. ‘Do I want to know what’s going on over there?’
Harlan leaned his weight on one foot. ‘Riot in the merchant borough this morning. Tenth day straight with no meat or eggs at the market. Fifty-plus merchants locked up.’
Astin swore under his breath. ‘I’m surprised they have the energy to riot. They should be applauded, not locked up.’
‘King’s orders. Even my father disagreed.’
‘Then I should go have a wash,’ Astin said, wiping sweat from his face. ‘Lyndal’s with him on the stone court porch as we speak. If there’s been a riot, he’ll be in a mood.’
‘Don’t you meanLadyLyndal?’
Astin shook his head. ‘I’ll throw your arse to the ground in front of the recruits if you push me to it.’
Harlan only grinned. ‘Send Thornton to me.’
‘I hope you’re going to let him sleep.’
‘Yes.Afterhe’s trained.’
Astin mock saluted him. ‘Yes, sir.’
Astin heard their argument before he saw it. Lyndal and King Borin were standing by the north wall, the king gesturing wildly while she clutched the skirt of her dress.
‘What’s going on?’ Astin whispered to Roul when he entered the court.
