Part 44 (1/2)

motioned to Talia with a wide grin on his face before turning back to open the

window. ”There's a good mate.”

Talia reached him just as he pushed up the sash to allow Ringer to flutter in.

”He's gorgeous,” she said, watching as the small snow owl landed on Archer's arm. ”How can you tell it's him?”

”Other than the fact that most owls don't land on my arm, you mean?” He laughed at her pointed look. ”I can just tell. It's in the eyes.” He reached up and stroked the owl. ”We're mates.”

He looked back at her in time to catch the wistful look on her face. It fled a

moment later as her expression s.h.i.+fted to a wide smile. ”Baleweg!”

Archer turned to find the old man standing on the other side of the window.

”Go to the door, I'll meet you there,” Baleweg told them.

Moments later he was ushering them into his small kitchen where he had tea brewing. ”I'd ask what brings you here, but I fear I already know.” He looked to Archer. ”The queen wishes to know more about Emrys.”

”Yes.” Archer squeezed Talia's hand beneath the table. ”We think he was

instrumental in Eleri's death.”

Baleweg's expression reflected little. ”In what manner do you believe him to be involved?”

Talia cleared her throat. ”We think Catriona's mother used his skills to hunt my mother down. That's why we moved so much. We think her death wasn't an accident.”

”And her rationale for wanting Eleri dead?” Baleweg's already pale skin went whiter as he raised his hand to stall her response. ”No, you needn't say it.” He turned to Talia. ”Gynan was your father.”

It wasn't a question. Talia nodded, her eyes gla.s.sy. ”Catriona is my half sister.”

”I had no idea,” Baleweg said, almost to himself. He bowed his head and Talia moved closer to him.

”It's not your fault. You were honoring her promise.”

He shook his head. ”Always too lost in my studies. I should have paid more

attention. I knew when she died, but in my grief I was worried only about not betraying her trust. I never thought to question-” He broke off and his shoulders shook slightly.

Talia leaned forward. ”Baleweg-”He looked to her, his brilliant blue eyes filled with pain. ”I wasn't aware her death was anything but accidental. I should never have been involved in her life to begin with. I was always so careful to remain apart. I should have never befriended her.”

”Why? She valued your friends.h.i.+p, you have to know that.”

But he didn't hear her. ”I hoped our brief time as friends had gone undetected.

If I'd had any sense of it...” His shoulders shook again and his face seemed to crumple. ”I didn't sense it.”

Talia's eyes welled with tears, too. ”It's not your fault. I don't care what your skills were, you're human and you can't be expected to know everything. ”

Temper flashed through the pain. ”I should have known this!”

”How? How could you have? Emrys didn't have anything to do with my mother before she left, did he?”

”No. And your mother wasn't the focus of this, not then and not now. Nor are

you. You're merely p.a.w.ns in a game that has gone on far longer than it should

have.” He moved away from her. ”It was me. It has always been me.”

Archer sat forward. ”You said before that Emrys likes to toy with you. Are you saying his dealings with Gwendolen so long ago, and now with Talia, the queen, and Chamberlain, are all part of some game he's been playing?”

”Yes.” Baleweg rose and went to the counter, slowly preparing another cup of tea.”Why?” Archer and Talia demanded simultaneously.”What is his connection to you?” Archer demanded. ”Why the games at all?”Baleweg took another moment before turning to face them. ”I was his mentor, of sorts.”

Talia's mouth dropped open. ”You taught him?”

A faint smile ghosted his lips. ”You find that so hard to believe?”