Roul was watching his feet again. ‘I think you know the rest of the story.’
They fell silent as they passed through the gate.
‘I wish you had told me sooner, but I understand why you didn’t,’ she said once they were on the other side of the wall. ‘I’ll say nothing of this to anyone, I promise.’
He brushed a finger down his nose. ‘I hope you understand why that kiss must remain between two friends. Even if I wanted to stay, I can’t.’
She kept her expression as neutral as possible, because anything she felt, or he felt, was obsolete. Her feelings were not his fault, and the choices he had made were the same as she would have in his position.
‘It was just a kiss.’ The casualness in her voice surprised even her. ‘It didn’t mean anything. I’m just glad it’s out of the way.’ The words soured on her tongue.
Roul nodded slowly, looking relieved—and something else.
‘Let’s focus on getting Prince Becket home,’ she added. ‘Shall we go and find out the details of this crazy plan?’
He watched her for a moment before replying. ‘How would you like to go to the armoury afterwards and collect your new weapons?’
That made her smile. ‘You always know how to cheer a lady up after a dress fitting.’
He laughed silently, and it eased some of the tension still hanging in the air between them. ‘I’ve got your back, soldier. I hope you know that.’
A knot formed in Eda’s stomach. ‘Back at you, Commander.’
They climbed the castle steps in silence.
* * *
Eda left Eldon Castle with two swords, four daggers, a very fancy longbow, three gowns, a variety of pastes for her face and lashes, some new boots, an expensive chestnut gelding, some posh vocabulary, and a head filled with details of the royal family.
She was to play the role of Lady Hayley Peytone from Peytone House in Llanystumdwy, Prince Becket’s English cousin who he had not seen since childhood.
‘Next time we meet, I expect my son to be standing alongside you.’ Those had been Queen Fayre’s final words before dismissing her. They weighed more than her new weapons.
After the briefing, Eda went to the farming borough to say goodbye to Lyndal. The two women stood leaning against the back wall of the house, watching Astin put a new fence post in the distance.
‘So you just stand here drooling over your husband all day?’ Eda asked.
Lyndal pointed to her stomach. ‘I work as hard as anyone around here when I’m not growing a human or at the almshouse. I’m still in charge of the pigs.’
Eda turned to her sister. ‘You mean boars.’
Lyndal pinched her lightly, eyes remaining on her husband. ‘He’ll start getting all sweaty soon, and that shirt will cling to his muscled body.’
Eda screwed up her face. ‘The man’s practically blood. I can’t have this conversation with you.’
Lyndal looked at her. ‘Oh, I almost forgot. You only have eyes foroneman now.’
Eda looked heavenward. ‘I gather by that comment that you’ve spoken to Blake.’
‘She came by this morning.’
Eda dropped her head into her hands. ‘Can no one keep a secret in this family?’
Lyndal laughed. ‘You tell one sister, you tell us both. You know that.’ She waited for Eda to look at her. ‘Is it serious?’
‘Of course not,’ Eda said immediately. ‘It was just a moment of curiosity between friends. We’ve much more important things to focus on right now.’
Presley and Rose walked by on their way to join Astin. They waved at Eda as they passed. She waved back.
