Part 34 (1/2)

The queen fell silent for a moment, then said, ”There is much we must discuss

about this before you leave.”

”I will be more than glad to discuss it with you, as I intend to continue to be responsible for Talia until it is known whether or not she can help you.”

”Impossible.”

Archer smiled coldly. ”Nothing is impossible, Your Highness.”

”You doubt I can keep her safe?”

”I didn't say that. Considering the pressure the court is under, the divisiveness

that even now threatens to split Parliament, and your failing health, I'd think you'd gladly take me up on the personal service I am offering. In addition to your personal guard, of course.”

Talia slid her hand into Archer's. He tried to ease his hand away, signaling to her that this was not wise, despite the fact that they'd entered the chamber with hands held. They'd been in darkness then. But Talia figured she held some sway here, and she intended to use it now. ”I wish him to stay.”

”I see.” And there was no doubt, even in those two little words, that she did, indeed, see. Talia saw a great deal, too. Or heard it. The fatigue in the queen's voice had increased in the last several exchanges. She sounded younger... and vulnerable. Talia wondered what her regal bearing had cost her these past minutes. She felt her own guard slipping and the tentative tentacles of her mind beginning to reach out. Only the queen's resumed speech snapped her focus back into place.

”I will want to talk with you, Archer, and with you, Miss Trahaern, at length.

But at the moment I need my rest. I will have Marietta show you to your quarters.” There was a pause, then she added, ”I am a.s.suming one suite of rooms will be sufficient for your needs?”

Archer smiled, but Talia felt her cheeks heat, despite the fact that she'd been the one to bring their relations.h.i.+p out into the open. But she didn't ask for two rooms, either.

”Yes, Your Highness,” he said. ”That will be quite suitable.”

The queen's a.s.sistant materialized behind them then and touched Talia's

shoulder. ”Follow me.”

Although the experience had been nerve-racking, now that it was over, Talia felt as if she hadn't done enough, that she'd somehow let the queen down.

Maybe she should have reached out. Maybe that was what a royal healer did.

Followed her instincts. And she'd failed before she'd even begun. She'd protected herself, when she was born to protect the queen first.

Baleweg thought her mother would have eventually brought her back here, to serve the House of Dalwyn, that this was what she'd have wanted. Talia thought so, too. Otherwise why tell her all those stories? Was it too late now?

She took a calming breath and tried to still her racing thoughts so she could reach out, but Marietta was there, talking.

”The queen must rest now.”

”Wait.” The connection was right there. All she had to do was reach for it. She

turned and stepped toward the queen, only to encounter a s.h.i.+eld. Not an invisible wall, so much as air too thick for her to walk through.

”I must insist,” Marietta said firmly.

Talia turned to find the queen's a.s.sistant pocketing a small device. She very

firmly took Talia by the shoulder, a grip that was immediately, if gently broken by Archer.

”No one touches her but me.”

In an efficient tone that brooked no argument, the a.s.sistant merely said, ”We must leave now. The queen is asleep. I daresay this has been an overly taxing day for her.” She was already ushering them toward the door.

Talia wanted to ask how in the h.e.l.l she could tell what the queen was doing, buried in the shadows as she was, but the personal guard had surrounded

them, separating them from Marietta, who was leading the throng out of the room and through a doorway she hadn't seen before. A large mural in the antechamber where she and Archer had waited literally s.h.i.+fted to painted air, then after they pa.s.sed through, turned solid again as Talia saw when she looked over her shoulder.

”State of the art,” Archer whispered with a wink.

”Very funny.” But Talia gulped nonetheless. Unbelievable. She tried to focus

on where they were going, on the scenes painted on the walls, wondering how many concealed additional pathways and how many were just paintings.