Astin narrowed his eyes. He had seen her drink enough wine to know she was no snob when it came to quality. He also knew King Borin’s collection was one of the finest in Europe.
Astin’s eyes shot to the servant walking away with the tray. Every hair on his body stood on end. Then his feet were moving. Slipping between the guests, he snatched the cup from Lyndal’s hand.
Her mouth fell open. ‘Excuse me.’
He brought it to his nose, then turned to Roul, who had followed him. ‘Hemlock. Find the servant.’
Lady Kendra’s face paled. ‘Hemlock? Is that not highly poisonous?’
Lyndal brought a hand to her lips.
‘You can tell that fromsmell?’ the king asked, keeping his voice low so as to not draw attention.
Astin did not stick around to explain the extent of his training. Taking Lyndal by the wrist, he pulled her towards the door.
‘I drank it,’ she said behind him.
He dodged between the guests, pulling her faster still. ‘I know.’ The moment they stepped out into the fountain court, he turned to her. ‘Bend over and open your mouth.’
Her eyes widened slightly. ‘What?’
‘Do it!’
She bent, leaning on her knees. He pushed two fingers into her mouth until he felt her gag, then withdrew them. She managed to take a few steps in an effort to get away from the door before being sick on the ground. Straightening, she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.
He led her to the fountain. ‘Clean your mouth out, but don’t swallow the water.’
Again, she did as she was told.
He noticed her hand was trembling when she scooped up the water. ‘How’s your heart rate?’ His own was elevated. ‘Salivation? Any nausea?’
She looked up at him. ‘All of the above, but it’s not from the wine.’
He reminded himself to breathe.
‘I just thought it was bad,’ she said, ‘and I didn’t want to embarrass the king. I’m fine. Really.’
It took all his effort not to go to her. He wanted to cradle that head of hers, sit beside her with his fingers on her pulse just to be sure. But he did none of those things.
‘What in heaven’s name is going on?’ Queen Fayre asked as she rushed over to the fountain. ‘The king said something about poisoning.’
Astin took a step back. ‘I’ll have it tested, but it smelled like hemlock to me.’
‘I barely drank any,’ Lyndal said, standing to prove she was fine.
Fayre looked between them. ‘Where’s Thornton?’
‘He went after the man who served her,’ Astin said.
Fayre’s eyes moved over him. ‘Are you not supposed to be guarding the king?’
‘He was just about to head back in,’ Lyndal said.
Astin looked in the direction of the hall. ‘I expected him to follow me out given his betrothed was poisoned right in front of him.’
The queen mother did not even blink. ‘His Majesty must remain with his guests to prevent damaging rumours. I am here in his place.’ She turned to Lyndal. ‘I think it best if we have the castle’s physician check you over.’
Lyndal frowned. ‘The king will lose his mind if I abandon his guests.’
