Lyndal had not been expecting that. ‘What?’
‘I understand if you no longer wish to—’
She pulled her cousin to her, holding tightly. ‘I didn’t know about any of this before coming here. I swear to you. I was rooting for you.’
‘I know you were.’ Kendra pulled away. ‘Now, we must not set tongues wagging with emotional displays.’
Lyndal exhaled. ‘See? You’re a better queen than me already.’
‘Nonsense.’ Kendra waved a hand. ‘I am simply more experienced in navigating this particular crowd.’
Lyndal saw her uncle making his way towards them, his eyes fixed on her. She held her breath.
‘Niece,’ he said by way of greeting.
She knew there was no chance of him calling her Lady Lyndal. Post-crown would be an interesting time. ‘You look well, Uncle.’
He smiled, but it looked wrong. ‘I hear congratulations are in order.’
She bowed her head. ‘Thank you.’ Her eyes went to the wall where her bodyguard was watching the exchange. She expected Roul to be keeping an eye on her—it was his job. But she found Astin watching her also. It seemed he was unable to break the habit.
‘I am pleased you could make it this evening, Lady Kendra,’ the king said, joining the group.
Lyndal jumped at his sudden appearance. It was an unsettling thought that the two men standing on either side of her held all the power to make or break her between them.
‘Your Majesty,’ Kendra said, curtsying.
Borin’s eyes moved over her. ‘My betrothed will soon be selecting her ladies-in-waiting, and I do hope to see you among them.’
There was something in his tone that made Lyndal look at the ground.
‘I am honoured by the invitation,’ Kendra replied.
Lyndal wondered if Kendra knew what she was really agreeing to. Then she wondered if she was supposed to turn a blind eye to those things already. The answer was probably yes.
‘You do not have a drink,’ Borin said, turning to Lyndal. ‘And this is a celebration.’
There were two reasons for that: the first being she could not stomach it, and the second being the thought of someone appearing to sample everything she put into her mouth.
‘Shall I fetch someone?’ Kendra said, looking around.
Thomas stopped her with a shake of his head. It was likely his pride could not take it.
‘No need.’ Borin gestured to a servant by the wall. The boy came forwards with a tray, a single cup of wine on it. The king picked it up and handed it to her.
Lyndal was relieved when no one raced up to taste it on her behalf.
‘To the happy couple,’ Thomas said, lifting his goblet.
Lyndal raised her cup, then drank.
Astin was supposed to be watching the king or watching the room, not watching her. But she had a way of holding his full attention. It had been that way since the beginning, even if he did not care to admit it. It was even more difficult to look away when she had the king on one side of her and Lord Thomas on the other. She was a fish between two sharks.
‘Isn’t someone supposed to sample that?’ Roul asked, straightening.
Astin watched as she lifted her cup in an awkward toast. ‘Everything’s tested before it’s brought in. That’s the best we can do at gatherings like these.’
She drank and looked into the cup. It was subtle, but he saw her recoil at the taste. She sniffed the drink before turning her attention back to the conversation going on around her.
