Part 47 (1/2)

waited.””Prince?” Archer said. Very interesting. He'd wondered if the queen had perhaps been impregnated by a commoner, thereby giving up her son's right to the throne if word ever got out. But young and perhaps foolish as she was, she was not stupid.

The young man nodded. ”The second son of King Jorik. I've known Catriona since we were children.” The young man's expression hardened. But it was the honest fear Archer saw in his eyes that held him still. ”I know she believes I abandoned her, but I have not. We argued when she learned she was ill. We had differing ideas on how she should care for herself. But I never gave up on her. I have spent these past months looking for a cure.” His jaw tightened mutinously. ”I will not let her die.” He looked past Archer's shoulder. ”Or our son.”

Niall looked to Archer. ”Please allow me to pa.s.s. There is much we must discuss. Stay in the room if you must, but I must speak with her before it is too late.”

Archer turned to the queen. She nodded warily. But she also didn't try and get Archer to leave, either, which calmed him. She was aware of the danger and he silently applauded her resilience, even in the face of this new, emotional twist. To that end, he remained near the door but within easy reach of the young prince.

”I didn't leave you, Cat,” Niall said softly as he approached the bed. ”I told you I was going for help.”

”Just as I told you there was no help. Where I needed you was by my side.”

”To sit by and watch you die?”

Catriona turned her head away and Archer went to remove the young man, but Marietta held his arm. ”Please, give them some time.” She tugged at his arm and he bent down. ”He brought help with him. I think he has honestly found the miracle we have prayed for.”

Archer went on full alert. ”Help? As in a doctor? Or medicine? What?””I'm... I'm not sure he's a doctor.”

”Where is he?” Archer was already pus.h.i.+ng past her, heading to the door. Had Chamberlain somehow gotten to the young prince? Had he totally misread the situation?

He was stopped at the door by the queen's voice. ”Archer?”

”I'm going out to talk to the visitor your young prince brought with him.” His tone sent an unmistakable warning.

What he saw was the prince's hand grasped tightly in the queen's hand. Tears

still wet her cheeks, but from the look in her eyes, he guessed that they were tears of hope.

”Please show Dr. Denby in,” she commanded.

”Your Highness, allow me to just-””It may already be too late, Archer. Please, I can't waste time. If what Niall says is true, I still have a chance.”

Niall took her hand and kissed it. ”We. We have a chance, Cat.”

”I must at least talk to him. Hear him out. Please, Marietta, show him in.

Archer, you can stay right beside him the entire time.”

Archer swore under his breath. He'd never seen the queen so hopeful. And

perhaps he was on instinct overload after listening to all of Baleweg's mumbo jumbo about dark forces and unknown powers. Still, when the older man stepped into the room, Archer moved to stand directly behind him... and remained less than a hairsbreadth away.

”That's close enough,” he said, when the man had barely entered the room.

Then he remembered the s.h.i.+eld Marietta had activated the first time he'd brought Talia here. He turned to Marietta and motioned her close.

She smiled. ”Already done.” She opened her hand slightly to reveal the

activator.

Archer realized they'd effectively sealed Niall in with Catriona, but he honestly believed the young man to be exactly what he claimed to be. Any

fool could see he was completely besotted. He'd have to be blind not to notice that the queen had similar feelings.

The doctor turned to him and put out his hand. ”Good day, I'm Dr. Denby.

Must you stand so close?”

Archer grinned and ignored the outstretched hand. ”h.e.l.lo. Make one false move and I'm your worst nightmare. And yes, I really must.”

The doctor swallowed visibly, then smoothed his white hair. ”Yes, well, I

suppose you can't be too careful these days, hmm?”

”No, you can't.”