‘Wave,’ Fayre said. ‘They need to see you happy.’
Somehow, Lyndal lifted her hand and forced a smile. The vocals below vibrated off the walls and drifted up to her.
‘I do not think I have ever witnessed so much adoration for a king,’ Borin said beside her, a grin splitting his face.
‘Imagine how proud your father would be right now,’ Fayre said, knowing exactly what he needed to hear.
‘I gather you all approve of your future queen?’ Borin shouted, taking Lyndal’s hand and presenting her to the merchants.
The crowd responded with more whistles and cheers.
After a few torturous minutes, the king stepped back from the wall and dropped her hand. ‘That was the easy borough. Let us see what the farmers have to say on the matter.’
‘The farmers have no objections,’ Fayre said. ‘They are already gathered, eager to hear the news.’
‘And the nobility?’ Lyndal asked, trying to bring volume to her voice.
‘Tonight they will join us for a feast,’ Fayre said. ‘That way they feel a part of the celebration.’
Borin brushed his fringe forwards and looked at Lyndal. ‘You must dazzle this evening. We cannot afford to lose their favour or respect. Let us not have a repeat of last night’s carriage wreck of a dinner.
‘Come, come,’ Fayre said, gesturing for them to start walking. ‘This is a time for celebration.’
With an impatient grunt, Borin walked off ahead, not bothering to wait for Lyndal. Five defenders marched after him. The cheering below had died, replaced with the hum of conversation.
‘You should have asked me first,’ Lyndal said to Fayre.
‘So that you had time to talk yourself out of it? It was better this way.’
Her eyes went to the queen mother. ‘Better for whom?’
‘For them.’ She pointed to the merchants below. ‘I spoke with your uncle days ago. He gave his blessing once he realised Lady Kendra was not a contender.’
Of course he had. His need to be in favour with the king outweighed her inferior birth.
They fell silent when Astin emerged from the turret, out of breath. He looked around, then stilled when he spotted Lyndal.
‘You will thank me one day,’ Fayre said. ‘Do not keep the king waiting too long.’ With that, she followed Borin, acknowledging Astin with a nod as she passed him.
Lyndal took in his stormy expression as he stared at her. ‘Where were you?’
He came at her, then pulled up six feet away, as though he did not trust himself to come any closer. Roul looked between the pair before wandering farther away to give them some privacy.
‘What the hell is this?’ Astin said, his eyes like two storms.
‘I’ve been trying to find you.’
He linked his hands atop his head. ‘To tell me the happy news? Sorry I missed the big announcement.’
A sob rose in her throat. ‘I didn’t know.’
His hands fell to his sides. ‘You didn’t knowwhat?’
‘The king just announced it. No one asked me.’
He blinked. ‘What didn’t you know? You didn’t know that the most powerful family in Chadora can do whatever the hell they want? You stayed in their home. You joined in their games. What the hell did you think was going to happen?’
Her hands went over her face.
