Part 8 (1/2)

a little... touch.”His smile widened. It exposed the fact that he had the smallest dimple on the right side of his mouth. Good G.o.d, the man was actually s.e.xy when he grinned like that.

”Sweetheart, you don't know the half of it.” He reached up a hand and took the

hat off her head. ”This is sort of a mood killer, though.”

”I save homeless animals for a living,” she managed, finding her own edge.

”One generally doesn't dress in sequins and pearls in my occupation.” She should be moving away from him.

”I'm not much into sequins and pearls, either,” he said.His voice was all deep and Down Under velvety. Russell Crowe and Mel Gibson eat your hearts out, she thought. Talia found herself sinking into the depths of his gleaming eyes. There was almost no distinction between pupil and iris. It was as if she could fall into their inky depths and never hit bottom. When he lifted a hand to push a wayward strand of hair off her face, she almost shuddered in antic.i.p.ation of what his tough, hard hands would feel like on her skin.

But she never found out. Instead she all but jumped out of that skin at a sudden clearing of a throat behind her. It was only Archer's quick reflexes that kept her from falling a.s.s-backward into the pond.

She wished he'd let her fall in. At least then she could disappear beneath the murky depths rather than face his knowing look. Or the considering expression on Baleweg's face when she turned to find the old man standing behind her.

Archer s.h.i.+fted his attention to Baleweg. No doubt the old man had seen the two of them standing close like that. Lost my touch, eh mate? Not b.l.o.o.d.y likely.

'”I trust you have convinced Miss Trahaern to begin her studies?” Baleweg said mildly.

”I was getting to that.”

”Studies?” Talia asked.

”We must begin your instruction, to help you bring forth your natural talents.

So that you may return with us and help our queen.”

Archer stepped between them. ”Wait a minute.

What you mean is that she'll return with us, and then she'll begin whatever lessons she needs. I'm sure the queen can help you both with all that.”Baleweg shook his head. ”She cannot return until she is ready. The queen's health is dwindling, yes, but she's not at death's door quite yet. Talia is of no use to her as she is now. Once we take her to Llanfair, things will move swiftly. Forces there will be ready to pounce upon her return. Even the queen would be hard-pressed to protect her in her current state. She must be able to act immediately. Everyone knows trust is a rapidly dwindling commodity at court these days.”

”She's not exactly safe here, either,” Archer argued. ”We have a more controlled position here,” Baleweg responded. ”We have only to weed out those few who have found their way here. It is easier for me to detect disturbances in the time continuum here than at home.” His focus seemed to drift. ”It is... quieter here. I have never felt such clarity.” He didn't sound entirely comfortable with that, but his blue eyes sharpened once more as he looked back to Archer. ”Your extensive knowledge of those likely to be involved should help us maintain security.” ”Let me get this straight. You want me to play castle guard while you two play school?” Archer shook his head. ”The deal was I find her, I convince her to come back. Something, I might remind you, I was about a second or two away from accomplis.h.i.+ng before you so rudely interrupted.”

Talia lifted an eyebrow. ”Awfully sure of yourself, aren't you?” Archer's mouth actually twitched. She surprised him. For all that she looked as if she'd break in a good stiff wind, she was a pretty tough sort. Her luminous eyes and elegantly shaped lips, framed between high cheekbones and a pair of delicate eyebrows, served to give her an ethereal, almost fragile air. Until she opened her mouth. If Archer hadn't been so annoyed with the way this mission was going, he might have admired her adaptability. Lord knew, she was going to need that and a whole lot more before this was over. So, apparently, was he. ”I think we should return and let the queen deal with this situation. I didn't hire on as baby- sitter.”

Talia's mouth dropped open. Baleweg shook his head. ”I do not have the energy to move us about through time on a whim. Taking our leave in such a rapid manner the other day has taxed me to a great degree. If I am to move all three of us forward, then I must conserve my strength.”

Archer narrowed his gaze in doubt. Baleweg had seemed tired, but not overly taxed. ”So which is the real concern? Your supposed fatigue or Talia's safety?”

”Both. But her safety is my foremost concern. I will be ready when she is.”

Archer held his gaze, but Baleweg merely looked at him with such serenity that Archer knew there would be no point arguing with him. Archer sighed and looked out over the pond. His gaze narrowed further at the big white duck floating placidly amid the water lilies. Oh, great, that was all he needed.

”You two can argue all you want,” Talia said, jerking his attention back to the matter at hand, ”but you seem to have forgotten one key element in all your Machiavellian plans. My cooperation.” She shot Archer a look. ”Which you have not come close to securing.”

”Machiavellian?” he said, for lack of a better comeback.

”I'm surprised you don't remember him from school history. I'd think you'd have enjoyed his exploits.”

”I'm not sure, but I think I've just been insulted.” Archer turned to Baleweg,

hoping to elicit a smile or at least some sign that he agreed she was being

impossible. Nothing. Of course.

Baleweg merely motioned for him to continue. ”You are doing such a fine job, after all.”

”Fine, just fine.” He was trapped in some archaic time period with a stubborn old man, a woman who refused to accept reality... and a duck. ”I'd almost rather admit defeat now and go home,” he muttered.

Home. He craned his neck and looked past the pond toward the bizarre structure Talia called home. It was so rustic it was made from tree-hewn planks and covered with some sort of blue polymer and white trim that resembled nothing so much as frosting on a decaying cake. He doubted she had bothered setting up a decent security seal for it. How in the h.e.l.l was he supposed to keep her safe in this?

He turned back to Baleweg. ”We can't stay here.”

Talia crossed her arms. ”You're d.a.m.n right you can't.”