Part 29 (1/2)

decay. How do you keep your teeth from rotting out of your head?””They're sealed,” he said, as if she were dense. ”You just rinse with-””Children,” Baleweg called. ”Really.”Talia sighed, knowing it was the stress making her snap at him, but unable to reel it in. ”Well, I don't care what you all do in the future, I want my own toothbrush-You do have running water, right?”Archer nodded and shot her an infuriating grin.

She refused to back down. ”And I want a book. Or two. And my nightgown.”

Both men simply stared at her. Finally, her shoulders slumped. ”It's not like I'm asking to take my teddy bear. You got to bring Ringer with you.”

Archer's expression softened then and he kissed her quickly on the forehead.

”Get what you think you need, but make it quick. And nothing you can't carry

on your back.”

She stepped back and smoothed her hair, pretending a level of nonchalance she really didn't feel. ”Thank you.”

She turned to find Baleweg staring at them both and had the grace to blush.

She'd forgotten that he was unaware of how things had changed between her and Devin last night. Or, considering the light in his eyes, perhaps not. Had he checked up on her last night, only to find her bed-and Devin's hammock-empty?

Well, she refused to be embarra.s.sed. She was a grown woman who could

make her own choices. Her cheeks reddened anyway. Dammit.

Baleweg merely smiled at them both, then looked directly at Talia. ”I believe you've already found all you will need.”

Chapter 15.

Archer smiled when Talia came back outside a few minutes later, a bulging backpack over her shoulder... and Beatrice's G.o.dawful fis.h.i.+ng bonnet on her head. He said nothing because he understood why she'd taken it. They might have eradicated tooth decay in his time, but people still clung to their teddy bears. The hat was her teddy... of sorts.

She came down the steps, her expression all but daring him to comment.

Instead he pulled something out of his back pocket and extended it toward her.

”Here.”

”What is it?”

”The picture of your mother. I thought you might like to carry it with you. I should have thought to give it to you earlier.”

She unfolded the silky paper and looked at the image on it. Her eyes were

gla.s.sy when she looked back at him. ”With everything that's been going on...all the memories... I'd forgotten, too. Thank you.”

He could only nod, feeling moisture gathering in his eyes, as well.

”Shall we?” Baleweg said gently. With a hand to Talia's shoulder he guided them to her truck.

Talia stopped. ”Wait. We're... driving there?”Baleweg smiled. ”No. But it would look rather odd if we all departed and took no visible means of transport. And we cannot wait for a taxi to take us away

from here.”

”Right. Of course.” Talia took a deep breath and Devin found himself taking her hand in his.

He liked how it felt, how she so willingly wove her fingers through his. She was terrified and yet she held her head up. Oddly, though he'd intended to support her, she was the one teaching him about strength. ”We're going to drive into the city and park in a hotel lot,” he explained. ”It won't be questioned that way.”

”Just really expensive. Do you have any idea what they charge for parking?”

Talia laughed suddenly. ”Listen to me. I have the fate of a future kingdom resting on my shoulders and I'm worried about valet parking.”

Archer leaned down and kissed her temple. ”My shoulders are pretty broad, too, you know.” He was surprised at how eager he was to share her burden. Devin Archer, the guy who worked alone, lived alone, and liked it that way. Then she glanced up at him when he opened the door for her and-wham. It was just there. No explaining it.

Her lips twitched in that smile of hers he liked best, the slightly crooked, self- mocking one. ”You might be carrying me on those shoulders soon, so be careful what you offer, big guy.”

Archer leaned in and kissed her. Hard. He couldn't help it. Only Baleweg's noisy throat-clearing stopped it.

”Maybe I shouldn't drive,” she said.