Part 40 (1/2)

She was silent for so long that Archer finally wondered if he shouldn't simply

make a quiet retreat, find Talia, and bring her back here to try and do whatever could be done. He couldn't accept that Catriona wouldn't at least try.

Then a smile slowly curved the young queen's lips. There was such

heartbreaking sadness in it that he couldn't look away. And yet, when she looked at him, what he saw in the depths of that unimaginable sadness and pain... was hope.

She reached to her side and pressed a small device that lay on her bed. ”Bring

Talia Trahaern to me.”

Archer's heart began to pound. She was going to fight! But even as he tightened his fist in silent victory, he worried about Talia. It had been one thing to offer Talia's help when he was thinking only of the dying woman in front of him. But now that the queen was calling for her, Archer's concerns s.h.i.+fted to what Talia would be put through and d.a.m.ned himself for being so anxious to put her there.

Still, he knew that if she were here, she'd be pus.h.i.+ng the same issues, doing whatever she could to help and d.a.m.n the toll it took on herself. That was who she was. There was always the hope for a miracle.

”Allow me to escort her,” he said, thinking at least he could prepare Talia

somewhat, warn her, comfort her.

The queen was once again staring at her hands rubbing her stomach. ”She is already on her way.” She looked up at him, her expression now almost beatific. ”Finally, I think I have found a solution.”

Chapter 21.

Talia left the healer's chamber in the company of six personal royal guards.

She wondered where Archer was.

The head guard stopped short just outside the room. ”Your gazzer, please.”

She almost ran into him. ”My-what?”The guard sent a pointed look to her side pocket. He extended his hand. ”Please.”

”Oh.” She fumbled in her pocket and handed Archer's zapper thing to the guard, who promptly handed it to another one next to him, who in turn headed off down a different pa.s.sageway. ”It's Archer's,” she added, not wanting them to dispose of something that wasn't hers. He'd be mad enough when he discovered she'd given it up without a fight, though frankly she was relieved not to have the deadly thing in her pocket. She wasn't cut out to be armed and dangerous. In fact, she was surprised Archer had been allowed to remain armed inside the castle. Maybe the queen felt better with him guarding her as well as her own guards.

”It is being returned to him now. Follow me, please.”

She fell into step behind him. ”Is he still with the queen?”

”The queen wishes a private consultation with you.”

Talia nodded, but her knees felt a bit wobbly. Consultation? Was she expected

to be a full-fledged healer now that she'd spent an hour or two with her mother's things? She hoped not. Tears threatened again and she pushed them away. She'd gotten to see her mother, hear her voice. She had new memories now. She'd cling to them.

She stopped suddenly as a shocking wave of pain a.s.saulted her. Instinctively she threw up a mental block against it, but it still left her breathless and leaning weakly against the wall. Her head throbbed. Where had that come from ? And who ?

”Are you all right, Miss Trahaern?”

Two of the guards stopped beside her. One turned to bark orders at another but

Talia quickly intervened. ”No, that's okay. I'm okay.” That was a lie, but a necessary one. ”Let's continue. Please.”

The guard paused, looking to his commander, who finally nodded tersely.

Talia was given no time to a.n.a.lyze what had just happened to her, however,

and less time to fully recover.

They stopped moments later and the guard motioned for her to move in front

of him. A large painting of two golden lions graced the wall in front of him.

”You will be admitted now.”

Talia nodded, then blew out a shaky breath. The screen turned transparent and