The Royal Hunter (22 page)

“Um—”

Archer stepped in and with a smooth wink leaned down to Stella’s ear and whispered, “I’m whisking her off for a bit. I’m not certain about the phone service. You understand. Certainly you and the others can get by, right?”

Stella nodded, totally mesmerized.

“You’re a top sort, Stella.” He squeezed her shoulder and Talia was surprised the girl didn’t go into cardiac arrest right then.

“Thank you, Stella,” Talia added. “I’m sorry to dump this on you. You can always call Karen and Sue in for extra hours if you need to. And you know Ken is just a call away. Don’t worry about any overtime, I’ll cover it.” She smiled. “I know you’re up to
the task and we’re pretty low on guests at the moment anyway. Oh! If the county shelter calls or any of the rescue leagues, well, use your judgment. Don’t take any extreme cases, or … or call Ken and see if he can help. Damn.” She looked up at Archer. “How can I just go like this?” she asked quietly. “What if they need me?”

“You’ve trained your staff well.”

“What about Mr. B?” Stella asked. “Is he staying?”

“Oh. Um. Well.” Talia sputtered for a moment, unsure how to explain why they’d be taking Baleweg with them on a lover’s holiday.

Archer came to the rescue again. “He’ll be leaving with us. We’re dropping him off to visit some other friends while we’re gone.”

“Oh. Cool.” Stella beamed at them both. “Well, have a great time.” She impulsively leaned in and hugged Talia. “Thank you for trusting me with this. You won’t be sorry. I’m glad you’re taking some time for yourself. You so deserve it, as hard as you work.” She glanced at Archer, then wiggled her perfectly plucked brows at Talia. “Way to go, too. He’s a total hottie.” Then she stepped back and smoothed her T-shirt and shorts, striving to look professional and mature. “Well. I guess I’ll go check the charts and make up my schedule for the next couple of days.”

Talia smiled and sighed in relief as Stella all but skipped off to the kennels. She was only eighteen, but very responsible and not afraid to ask for help. Talia would worry anyway, but Archer was right, she’d trained her well. A certain pride filled her then and she tried to ignore the little hitch that went along with it. She was used to being needed, in fact, she’d made certain she was needed here. It was what her whole world revolved around. Or had.

“Baleweg is waiting,” Archer said quietly.

“I know.”

“She’ll be fine.”

Talia looked up at him. “I know that, too.”

He opened his mouth to say something and she could see the understanding in his eyes. Instead he squeezed her hand, which said everything anyway. “Let’s go.”

The closer they got to the house, the harder she had to work not to throw up. The anxiety was too much. She worked to focus on one step, and then the next, and not think about what came after. Sort of like clacking up to the top of the first hill of a roller coaster. She’d just focus on surviving the climb … not the screaming descent that followed.

Archer lifted his head and gave a sharp whistle.

Talia leaped in surprise, then laughed at herself. God, she’d better get a grip. What kind of astronaut was she anyway?

“Just calling Ringer.” A hawk circled above them, then dove straight down. Talia squealed and ducked but Archer just swore and stuck out his arm where the hawk landed with amazing smoothness. “Always the showboat.”

Talia’s eyes widened. “Ringer?” She looked quickly around to make sure no one from the kennels was watching.

Archer sighed in disgust. “Now maybe you see what I have to deal with.”

If she hadn’t been so shocked, she’d have laughed. She imagined there was little Archer tolerated in the way of having his chain jerked, so she rather enjoyed the idea that this little … thing … had so clearly wrapped him around his, well, claw. Maybe she would find time to get to know the beast better.

It occurred to her then that maybe she was simply another stray Archer had adopted. And while she was reassured by the idea that the man had a heart, she
wasn’t sure she liked the idea of being a rescue project.

Baleweg met them on the porch. “We must go,” he said, his blue eyes projecting a calm and serenity she didn’t remotely feel.

“I just need to pack a few things.”

“The court will provide what you need,” Baleweg assured her.

“But … I’d feel more comfortable in my own clothes. At least let me take my own toothbrush.”

“Toothbrush?” Archer asked. Talia just looked at him. “What do you call it?”

“I don’t know. What is it?”

“A little brush on a stick you clean your teeth with.”

“Oh.”

She rolled her eyes. “Well, I’m sorry, but it’s our only defense against tooth decay. How do you keep your teeth from rotting out of your head?”

“They’re sealed,” he said, as if she were dense. “You just rinse with—”

“Children,” Baleweg called. “Really.”

Talia sighed, knowing it was the stress making her snap at him, but unable to reel it in. “Well, I don’t care what you all do in the future, I want my own toothbrush—You do have running water, right?”

Archer nodded and shot her an infuriating grin.

She refused to back down. “And I want a book. Or two. And my nightgown.”

Both men simply stared at her. Finally, her shoulders slumped. “It’s not like I’m asking to take my teddy bear. You got to bring Ringer with you.”

Archer’s expression softened then and he kissed her quickly on the forehead. “Get what you think you need, but make it quick. And nothing you can’t carry on your back.”

She stepped back and smoothed her hair,
pretending a level of nonchalance she really didn’t feel. “Thank you.”

She turned to find Baleweg staring at them both and had the grace to blush. She’d forgotten that he was unaware of how things had changed between her and Devin last night. Or, considering the light in his eyes, perhaps not. Had he checked up on her last night, only to find her bed—and Devin’s hammock—empty?

Well, she refused to be embarrassed. She was a grown woman who could make her own choices. Her cheeks reddened anyway. Dammit.

Baleweg merely smiled at them both, then looked directly at Talia. “I believe you’ve already found all you will need.”

A
rcher smiled when Talia came back outside a few minutes later, a bulging backpack over her shoulder … and Beatrice’s godawful fishing bonnet on her head. He said nothing because he understood why she’d taken it. They might have eradicated tooth decay in his time, but people still clung to their teddy bears. The hat was her teddy … of sorts.

She came down the steps, her expression all but daring him to comment. Instead he pulled something out of his back pocket and extended it toward her. “Here.”

“What is it?”

“The picture of your mother. I thought you might like to carry it with you. I should have thought to give it to you earlier.”

She unfolded the silky paper and looked at the image on it. Her eyes were glassy when she looked back at him. “With everything that’s been going on … all the memories … I’d forgotten, too. Thank you.”

He could only nod, feeling moisture gathering in his eyes, as well.

“Shall we?” Baleweg said gently. With a hand to Talia’s shoulder he guided them to her truck.

Talia stopped. “Wait. We’re … driving there?”

Baleweg smiled. “No. But it would look rather odd if we all departed and took no visible means of transport. And we cannot wait for a taxi to take us away from here.”

“Right. Of course.” Talia took a deep breath and Devin found himself taking her hand in his.

He liked how it felt, how she so willingly wove her fingers through his. She was terrified and yet she held her head up. Oddly, though he’d intended to support her, she was the one teaching him about strength. “We’re going to drive into the city and park in a hotel lot,” he explained. “It won’t be questioned that way.”

“Just really expensive. Do you have any idea what they charge for parking?” Talia laughed suddenly. “Listen to me. I have the fate of a future kingdom resting on my shoulders and I’m worried about valet parking.”

Archer leaned down and kissed her temple. “My shoulders are pretty broad, too, you know.” He was surprised at how eager he was to share her burden. Devin Archer, the guy who worked alone, lived alone, and liked it that way. Then she glanced up at him when he opened the door for her and—wham. It was just there. No explaining it.

Her lips twitched in that smile of hers he liked best, the slightly crooked, self-mocking one. “You might be carrying me on those shoulders soon, so be careful what you offer, big guy.”

Archer leaned in and kissed her. Hard. He couldn’t help it. Only Baleweg’s noisy throat-clearing stopped it.

“Maybe I shouldn’t drive,” she said.

Archer smiled. “If you want us to get there in one piece, you will. Neither of us knows how to operate this kind of vehicle.”

“Oh. Right. Of course. Okay.” She turned away
and clutched the steering wheel. “I’ll drive. I’ll be just fine.”

Archer closed the door and crossed around to the other side. She’d be okay, he told himself for the thousandth time. She damn well had to be.

Over the next hour, she drove while they did their best to explain the inner workings of court, at least as well as they knew them. Neither he nor Baleweg was a royal insider, both being more an outcast … each in their own, individual way. But while Archer might not know all the nuances of court procedures, he did know most of the players, having worked for many on private matters.

“Parliament has a separate building alongside the palace proper. All the politicos have their offices there, but they are in and out of the castle often. None of them reside within the castle however—only the queen and her royal staff and guard. And there are seemingly hundreds of them. I’ve only met with her once and you go through what seem like endless channels to get to her. Her security is good, but not perfect. I imagine she’ll want to spend time alone with you, but otherwise I’ll be with you as much as possible.”

“Okay.”

Talia had spent most of the hour nodding wordlessly. Archer was worried, unsure how much she was retaining. She seemed to be paying attention, but heaven only knew what her thoughts were.

He did know she was terrified and wished like hell he could have some time alone with her, to do something, anything, to lessen that fear. But he knew the best thing was to just get there and let her start dealing with it. She’d handle the transition better than she thought she would. It wasn’t all that different in the future. Not in the most basic ways. His concerns centered more about her handling the
surreal pressures of life in a royal court. She lived out in the countryside, holed up with a bunch of misfit animals and wonky old people, for God’s sake. Then he smiled. Actually, the comparison was closer than he’d thought.

Talia wound her way deeper into the city and parked in the largest hotel lot she could find, tucking the ticket in the visor flap before steering them into a distant spot on the roof level of the lot, as Baleweg instructed, far away from the other cars.

She turned off the ignition and turned to face both of them. “I appreciate all you’ve told me, but there is one thing you still haven’t covered.”

Archer could see she was striving to sound cool and in control and most people probably would think she was. He knew her well enough to realize she was hanging on by a thread. He reached over to take her hand and found it cold and lifeless to the touch.

“You are worried about what you will be expected to do for the queen,” Baleweg said calmly.

Talia nodded. “I realize I can’t stay here, that I have to go and at least try. But what will happen to me if I can’t … do anything?”

Archer wasn’t sure how to answer her. If Catriona and the baby died and Chamberlain—and, via him, the Dark One, Emrys—took over … He stopped there. He’d been so arrogant, certain they would find a way, he’d never honestly asked himself what would happen if they failed. He looked to Baleweg. “Surely if her skills proved inadequate Chamberlain would see that and have no use for her. Emrys would surely move on to other amusements if Chamberlain took over the throne.”

Talia slowly slid her hand from his. It was as if a piece of that unswerving trust she’d had in him
had dimmed slightly. Dammit, he never failed. And he wouldn’t fail in this. Not if it meant failing her.

Baleweg looked to Talia, then Archer. “Don’t give up on her so quickly, young Archer. Fate will open paths we cannot see as yet.”

“Meaning what?” Archer all but shouted. He was only slightly mollified when he felt Talia slide her hand back in his. He held on tightly, suddenly uncertain about his role in all this. “I’m not about to go thrusting her off into Dalwyn’s court for them to do with as they please. I want some reassurances she’ll be released safely if she can’t help.”

“Fate offers no such reassurances.” He lifted a finger when Archer began to argue further. “I can assure you that not going back will certainly put her in more danger.” He opened his door and climbed out. Ringer, a black cat now, hopped out beside him. “Come now, it is time.”

“Wait just a damn minute!”

“Waiting time is over. I sense that things are deteriorating rapidly at home and we must go if you hope to have any edge over Chamberlain.”

Archer swore under his breath and turned to Talia. “Come on.” She looked a little hollow, so he instinctively shot her a grin and a wink. “Now I get to show you my town.”

Talia swallowed hard, but a smile made a tentative appearance. “Can’t wait.”

He got out, but his smile faded as he came face-to-face with Baleweg. “If I say she comes back, she comes back. No questions. I want your promise that you’ll bring her back here if either one of us gives the word.”

Baleweg held his steady gaze with infuriating calm. “It will all go as it must, young Archer.” He lifted a
hand to stall Archer’s outburst. “Now
you
must trust me.”

Archer grated his teeth as he pushed past him and went to open Talia’s door.

She was already standing beside the truck, crushing her ugly bonnet in her hands. She looked vulnerable and frail, although he knew her to be anything but. As her paid protector, he had to project confidence, to make this seem a harmless little adventure. But when he looked into her huge gray eyes, he realized it was a daunting task.