Defender of Hearts

by Tanya Bird

  Astin took hold of Lyndal’s hand and brought it to his lips. A familiar sensation of invincibility ran through her.

  ‘You’re limited to one cup of wine,’ Astin said. ‘I’ve seen you drunk.’

  Lyndal’s head fell back with laughter, and he bent to kiss her again.

  When she finally stopped, she asked. ‘Does this match come with a title? I was quite fond of “Lady Lyndal the third”.’

  ‘That’s fine, but only if you continue to address me as Your Superiorship.’

  Smiling, she pressed her lips to his arm. ‘Done.’

  Epilogue

  Lyndal stood on the veranda of the new almshouse, trying very hard not to cry. She had promised herself that she would keep it together, but the fact that Queen Fayre had insisted on saying a few words was not helping.

  ‘I remember how impressed I was when I first met Lyndal,’ Fayre said, looking in her direction. ‘She had travelled to hell and back, yet was brimming with an optimism so contagious I just knew I had to get her in a room with everyone I know and hope they caught it.’ She looked behind her at the house. ‘This was her idea, her vision, her understanding of what this borough needed. A piece of her enormous heart.’

  Don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t cry.

  ‘I am so pleased to see her vision brought to life and so happy for those who will benefit from it,’ the queen mother continued. ‘And I am very sorry that Prince Becket could not be here to witness what a wonderful job his people are doing of caring for one another in his absence.’

  The merchants exchanged glances. It had been nearly a year since King Borin died. A year of waiting for their new king—yet no such king had arrived. But because Queen Fayre was doing such a superb job as queen regent, no one was complaining.

  Lyndal’s eyes met Astin’s. He was wearing the proudest expression she had ever seen on him. He winked at her, which only made the sting in her eyes worsen. Beside him stood his smiling niece. Lyndal had been shocked to learn the truth about Presley and Rose, but she would take the secret to her grave so Rose would never have to know just how big a monster her father really was.

  ‘I am sure there are people Lyndal wishes to thank,’ Fayre said, ‘so I shall let her say a few words now.’ She stepped to the side.

  Finding a smile, Lyndal clasped her hands in front of her and looked out at the crowd. ‘Thank you, Your Majesty. Not only for your kind words but for your personal contribution to the project.’

  She went on to thank everyone who had been involved, from the merchants who gave their time, to the nobility who gave coin and materials, to the farmers who would be donating food.

  ‘And, of course, my husband,’ Lyndal said, finally losing the battle against her tears. She brushed a hand over her cheek. ‘He was here every day, helping in some way. I’ve no idea how I got so lucky, but I’m incredibly thankful I did.’

  More tears fell, and she could not wipe them away quick enough.

  ‘Sorry,’ she said. ‘I promised myself I wouldn’t cry, but the enormity of this moment and everything it symbolises has clearly gotten to me.’ She laughed to expel some of the emotion building.

  Astin stepped up onto the veranda of the almshouse and wrapped an arm around her. ‘My wife wanted to build a place for people with nowhere to go, a place to fall down, to not be alone. It’s a place where a mother can bring her children when the pot at home is empty. It’s a place where those with enough can come and help those who are struggling. All the love and warmth this woman holds has been poured into this house. I’ve watched in awe.’

  That only made the crying worse.

  She wiped her face. ‘If you, or anyone you know, is ever in need, this door behind me will open to you. And it’s not just for merchants. Let’s not let a few walls stop us from taking care of each other.’

  The crowd applauded that last part.

  ‘Long live Farmer Lyndal,’ Presley shouted, grinning.

  Laughter rolled over the crowd. Even Queen Fayre was smiling.

  Lyndal walked to the door and pushed it open. Cheering ensued.

  ‘Here it is,’ she shouted above the noise. ‘Your almshouse is officially open.’

  They ate outside that night. Astin built a fire near the new farmhouse, and they roasted a side of pork big enough to feed the large group. They ate perched atop logs, cups of ale at their feet.

  Lyndal loved these nights, everyone together, the constant hum of conversation accompanied by bouts of laughter. She looked across the fire at Astin and smiled. He rose when he caught her eye, walking over and sitting beside her.

  ‘You’re happy,’ he said, kissing her forehead.

  She nodded and put her plate on the ground, picking up her cup. ‘How lucky are we to have all these people here to celebrate with us?’

  Astin looked around the group. ‘We could probably afford to cut a few loose, to be honest.’

  Lyndal squeezed his knee. ‘Be thankful my uncle always declines our invitations. He’s above such gatherings.’

  ‘I was secretly hoping his daughter would be above such gatherings,’ Astin muttered.

  ‘Don’t. She’s planning on volunteering her time at the almshouse.’ Lyndal looked over at Kendra, who was carefully picking something out of her cup. ‘She’s earned her place at the fire and her cup of cheap ale with grass floating in it.’

  Astin watched her a moment. ‘The sooner she learns to chew her drink the quicker she’ll fit in.’

  Lyndal laughed into her cup, eyes going to Blake and Presley. It was not surprising the pair got along as well as they did. They were two peas in a pod.

  Across the fire, Harlan and Birtle stood talking politics while her mother sat with Kendra, ensuring she did not feel left out. Rose was playing with Garlic nearby. Astin had agreed to let the duck attend the celebration on the condition that Harlan did not accidentally leave the indoor pet behind at the end of the night.

  Through the fading light, Lyndal could see Eda and Roul playing barley break. The two most reclusive people she had ever known had fallen into the most unlikely of friendships.

  ‘She’s speaking more than she’s signing now,’ Astin said, reading her thoughts. ‘Have you noticed that?’

  ‘Yes.’

  Roul tried to pivot around Eda in an attempt to make it to the other side of the circle, but Eda dove to the ground, tagging his boot just before he reached the line. Rolling onto her back, Eda laughed. Roul accused her of cheating, which only made her laugh harder.

  At first, Candace had discouraged the friendship, worried about rumours starting. But once she saw the improvement in Eda’s speech and accepted that her youngest was never going to befriend the other young ladies in the nobility borough, she had let the matter go.

  ‘Any news on Prince Becket?’ Lyndal said, turning her attention back to Astin. ‘Surely Harlan’s father knows something.’

  ‘He doesn’t want the crown—and Queen Fayre thinks she can change his mind. But she’s running out of time.’

  ‘Meaning?’

  ‘Meaning if the prince doesn’t come sit his arse on that throne, someone else will.’

  Eda appeared in front of them, out of breath and covered in grass stains. ‘Come play. It’s better with more players.’

  Lyndal frowned up at her sister. ‘I’m quite happy to remain clean, thank you. Ask Blake. She loves the mud.’

  ‘I’ll referee,’ Blake said, rising.

  Lyndal sighed. ‘Why can’t I be referee?’

  Harlan appeared behind Blake, arms going around her. ‘I think you’d better explain to your sister why you’ll be refereeing and she’ll be rolling in the mud.’

  Lyndal looked between them, then at Eda, who was smiling. ‘What’s going on? Why can’t Blake play in the dirt like usual?’ She looked to her mother for an answer.

  The excitement in Candace’s eyes made Lyndal gasp and shoot up, cup falling from her hand.

  ‘What’s wrong?’ Astin said, leaping up.

&nb
sp; Blake laughed. ‘Nothing’s wrong. I’m just pregnant.’

  And now Lyndal was crying again. She went to her sister, hands going to the beginnings of a bump. ‘Oh my goodness.’

  ‘I figured it out before anyone,’ Kendra said proudly.

  ‘If you were still living with us, you would have known straight away,’ Harlan said. ‘She has thrown up more food than she has kept down of late.’

  Lyndal hugged her sister, but not as tightly as usual. ‘I’m so happy for you.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Blake said, kissing her cheek.

  Lyndal released her with a dramatic sigh. ‘Fine. You can referee.’

  ‘I’ll play if it gets me out of cleaning up,’ Presley said, rising.

  The entire group wandered over to the circle. Harlan stood explaining the rules to Kendra, who had never heard of the game, while Birtle and Candace refilled everyone’s cups.

  ‘Look up,’ Astin whispered into Lyndal’s ear.

  She lifted her gaze. The clouds had parted above them, revealing a sliver of black sky with bright stars. ‘So beautiful.’

  ‘Agreed,’ Astin replied, but he was not looking up at the sky. He was looking at her.

  ‘Do you see me, defender?’ she asked, a smile playing on her lips.

  He nuzzled her hair and breathed her in. ‘I see you.’

  Where to now?

  I hope you enjoyed Lyndal and Astin’s story. Eda and Roul are up next in Defender of Crowns. You can pre-order their story right now via the link below.

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  https://tanyabird.com/books/defender-of-crowns/

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  Fancy some dark medieval romance while you wait? Subscribe to my newsletter at https://BookHip.com/WMWNANB and get book one in The Companion series absolutely free.

  Acknowledgments

  I would like to express my gratitude to the many people who contributed to this book. My biggest thanks goes to my readers. Without you guys, I wouldn’t get to do what I love. Next, a huge thank you to my rock star husband who supports and encourages me even though my writing takes time away from him. I love you to bits. A big thank you to McKinley, Kristin and the team at Hot Tree Editing for polishing the manuscript into something beautiful. A shout out to Katy for beta reading, and to my proofreader, Rebecca, for catching everything I missed. A round of applause for my cover designer, Domi, from Inspired Cover Designs, for another gorgeous cover. And finally, a huge thank you to my Launch Team for your encouragement, honest reviews, and being the final set of eyes on my work. You guys are amazing.

  Also by Tanya Bird

  You can find a complete list of published works at tanyabird.com/books