Part 46 (1/2)

you. She'll trust you to stay by her side. Tell her-tell her I'm here waiting and...” She took a deep breath. ”And that I'll do whatever I can to take care of her son.”

”Talia, you don't have to- She pressed a finger against his lips. ”I barely know her, but she is my sister. I

have instincts, too. And they're telling me to do whatever I can to help her.

Whatever that might be.”

Archer leaned down and kissed her. ”It's far more than most would do.”

”It's what you would do.” He opened his mouth to deny it, but she wouldn't let

him. ”You're doing it for me.”

That stopped him, but only for a second. He grinned. ”Yeah, but that's because you can be a real pain in the a.s.s when you don't get your way.”

She smiled now, too. ”Well, so can my sister.”

”G.o.d help us all.” He kissed her hard. ”Don't leave this building until I

return.” He looked deeply into her eyes. ”And I will be back for you.”

”Be careful,” she whispered.

”I believe we've already discussed how we're going to express all this

grat.i.tude. And I'm holding you to it.”

”Please do.” She suddenly yanked him into a tight hug. ”And hurry, Devin,”

she murmured against his ear. ”Hurry back to me.”

Chapter 23.

Where is she?” Had the queen been at all capable, Archer was certain she'd have come after him physically. As it was, her heightened color was alarming enough.

”She's safe. Which is more than I can say for you.”

”I want her returned to me immediately!”

Now Archer was angry. ”You do not own her. She is not a prisoner here.”

”She hasn't the first idea of the threat against her.”

”Oh, I'd say she has a very real idea. It is you who need a briefing on the

subject.”

Rather than castigate him, the queen surprised him by slumping back against her pillows, rubbing at her belly. It was such a guileless gesture, done so naturally and without calculation that Archer's ire vanished. She was no longer only a ruler worrying about how to defend her kingdom against some invisible

threat, she was also a woman with a child on the way, fearing for his health above her own.

He moved closer to her bedside. ”I have information that I think will make

you understand why Talia is better off outside the castle for the time being.”

”I just want her kept safe.” It was as much a warning as a plea.

Archer felt his heart soften. d.a.m.n, but he was becoming a maudlin fool of

late. ”Her biggest concern is for you and your son. She is ready to do whatever is necessary to help you, but she cannot help you if her own safety is compromised, as well. If she is kept hidden, the balance of power is s.h.i.+fted to you. All your chips are not being held in one hand, as it were.”

The queen looked far wearier than she ever had before. ”Then brief me on

what you know.”

Archer nodded and pulled up a chair. At that moment, Marietta buzzed and entered the room without awaiting the queen's consent. She looked alarmed enough that the queen immediately asked, ”What is the matter?”