The Royal Hunter

by Donna Kauffman

  “There’s only one other animal I can never connect with. Ringer. But I figured it was because he was from the future or something.” She shifted once again to the cat, who was sitting less than a foot away, studiously ignoring them both as he meticulously washed first one front paw, then the other. She looked back to Archer. “Nothing. Even when I try. You know, I think my empathic skills are going haywire or something. That day Ringer was hurt, the signals were way stronger than his actual discomfort should have telegraphed. Almost as if he were intentionally trying to get my attention, now that I think about it.” She looked at him and must have seen the guilt on his face, and her eyes narrowed in suspicion.

  As he opened his mouth to confess, Ringer changed back to the scruffy mutt before Talia’s wide, astonished gray eyes.

  To her credit, she didn’t scream or faint. A squeaking sort of sound came out, and she looked between the two of them wildly, then turned a rather unbecoming shade of gray before turning away altogether.

  “Thanks, mate,” he snarled at Ringer, who merely sat and wagged his tail as if to say, “No worries.” Little shit.

  “Talia—” He reached for her, but she stopped him by stiffening her shoulders. “It’s cold, at least let me cover your shoulders up.”

  She said nothing, so he pulled the blanket over her and waited. He was really bad at waiting. “Say something,” he prodded, at a loss as to how to handle her and hating feeling so helpless.

  She turned her head slowly to his, her eyes unfocused, and, he noticed, purposely not looking at Ringer. “I—” Then she simply shook her head and tucked her chin.

  Despite her resistance, he dragged her into his arms and held her against him. It was like hugging a marble statue, but he didn’t care. She was trembling. It was hardly noticeable, but it made his chest hurt. And it was something he could do, hold her, give her his warmth, until she decided what she was ready to know.

  “I should have told you,” he said quietly, when, after what seemed like a lifetime, she still hadn’t spoken. “But I didn’t want to scare you off.”

  She laughed then, a semihysterical little wheeze. “Oh, well, thanks. Much appreciated. You come and tell me I’m some sort of royal healer and, by the way, I have to travel a couple hundred years into the future to save a queen I’ve never even heard of, but let’s not scare Talia with the idea of some sort of … of …” She shuddered, unable to finish.

  “He won’t hurt you.”

  She looked up at him then. “I wasn’t really in fear of my mortal life, thanks.”

  Archer grinned. He couldn’t help it. She scowled. “I’m not having it on with you, really, but I can’t help the smile. You make me do that a lot, Talia.”

  “Well, you’re very welcome. Glad I could help.”

  Now it was all he could do not to laugh outright. She was scared within an inch of her life, but rather than cling and squeal, she was being sarcastic and pouty.

  He tucked her rigid frame a bit closer, angling himself so Ringer was somewhat out of her direct line of vision if she were to look up at him. And he found he wanted that badly. He slowly stroked his fingertips up and down her back, then through her hair. Over and over again, until she slowly began to unwind. No, he wasn’t a patient man, but somehow killing time this way, for the sake of her comfort, didn’t seem to tax him too greatly.

  When she finally relaxed, he shifted upward so she could pull herself more tightly into his chest. Perhaps it would go easier if she could listen without her reactions being viewed. “Want me to tell you about him?”

  There was a long silence, then finally a tentative little nod against his chest. His smile was wide and his heart beat a bit steadier now that she’d given him another piece of trust. A valuable gift, and one he’d guard carefully.

  “I was coming back from completing a difficult transaction. I’d been off-Earth for almost a month and all I wanted to do was get home, take a long hot steamer, and eat some food that didn’t come from questionable sources.”

  Her breath caught and he paused, waiting to see if she had any questions. But he felt her breath skim out across his skin and she relaxed slightly back against him. So he continued.

  “I had docked and was signing off on the space entry/exit forms when I heard a rustling behind the refuse transformers.”

  Talia’s head came up. “The what?”

  He bit back the smile. “Refuse transformers?”

  “What exactly do you transform your refuse into?”

  She didn’t ask about off-Earth travel, but she wanted to know about recycling. He grinned. “I guess it’s best described as a sort of liquid gas.”

  “And what do you do with that?”

  “Reuse it in other ways.”

  “All of it?” She shook her head, then smiled a little. “I guess it’s reassuring to know you all figured out some way to solve that problem.”

  He just stared at her until she looked up at him.

  “What?”

  He shook his head. “I can’t figure you out.”

  Her smile grew. “Well, some things haven’t changed, then. Men have been trying to figure out women for eons. And vice versa. I guess you haven’t solved all the world’s mysteries, then.”

  “Not hardly.”

  She quieted then, her expression turning serious once more. “Tell me more,” she said quietly.

  “About Ringer?”

  She shivered, just a little. “Are they—what do you call them anyway?”

  “Shifters.”

  She managed a nod. “Are these … shifters … common?”

  “Somewhat. They’re the vagabond type, hitching rides around and about. A number of them have ended up here on Earth.”

  She was trembling, but pushed on. “So he followed you home?”

  Archer laughed. “No, I found him in the transformer, hardly more than skin and ribs he was, but ready to fight me to the death over a moldy chicken bone.” He sobered a bit as he recalled the rest of that night. “He tried to shift, into something large and threatening, but he got stuck between animals.” He shuddered, as did Talia. “It wasn’t pretty. I couldn’t leave the little bloke like that. So I took him home, figuring he’d finish up after he’d warmed up a bit, and had some food.”

  “Does he have a basic shape? I’ve only seen him as a dog.”

  “Well, you’ve probably seen him as a few other things without knowing. But no, he’s whatever he wants to be. There’s no natural form as far as I know, but they each have their own preferences.”

  “And he’s been with you ever since that night?”

  Archer glanced at Ringer. “Yeah. We’re mates, him and me. He can be a pain in the ass, but all in all, he’s done all right by himself. And by me.”

  Ringer chose that moment to turn round and round on the corner of the blanket and plop himself down. Talia trembled and Archer looked concerned.

  “It’s okay. I just keep seeing him do that … thing … he did.” She made a face. “Maybe we should stick with talking about trash and other developmental strides of humankind. Emphasis on the word human.”

  He smiled at that and decided that kissing her would be the most reasonable thing to do.

  She was breathing a bit unevenly when he lifted his head. “Well.”

  “Yeah. Very well,” he said. “Now, where were we?”

  “I was sort of liking where we just were.”

  “You don’t want to know any more? Have you asked Baleweg anything about our time?”

  She shook her head. “I … I think I was afraid to ask anything more. I wasn’t ready. He didn’t push.”

  “And now?” He tilted her face to his. “Aren’t you even a little curious where I come from, Talia?”

  She stared at him for what seemed like forever, before asking, “Are you curious about my world?”

  “I guess I’ve sort of figured out what I need to know to get by. After all, I’ll only be here for a short time.”

  She nodded. “Exactl
y. I figure I’ll go on a need-to-know basis, too.”

  Archer frowned. He didn’t at all like that idea. Why, for Christ’s sake? What made her situation any different from his? What did he want from her anyway? Dangerous question, mate. You really want to answer that one?

  Ringer yawned and stretched, thankfully pulling Talia’s attention away from … from wherever the hell they’d been going. She finally let herself look at the scruffy mutt and Archer remained silent while she came to terms with it.

  Suddenly she grinned. “It just occurred to me that he must have scared the bejeebers out of the local animal population here, changing from one thing to the next.” She turned to Archer, her soft heart in her eyes. “How did you name him?”

  Her resilience never ceased to amaze him. It was one of the things he loved—“Well,” he said, clearing his throat, “he’s able to change into any small mammal shape. A dead ringer. Which is exactly what he’d have been, too, if I hadn’t forced him inside with me.”

  “Ah.” Talia smiled. She continued to rub her arms and he tugged her close again.

  “You keep getting away from me.” He thought about what she was facing, wondering if he’d be as practical in dealing with it all as she’d been. Probably not. He rolled to his back and pulled her and the blanket across him. Ringer leaped up when his little blanket nest suddenly disappeared and grumbled as he jumped off the rock. Considering the problems he’d caused this morning, Archer didn’t feel the least bit bad about it.

  “What are you doing?” Talia grabbed at his shoulders for balance.

  “Changing the subject.”

  “To what?”

  “Sun’s coming up and I thought how beautiful you’d look coming with the sky all streaked with bright colors behind you.”

  Her cheeks turned pink and he was pretty certain it had nothing to do with the cool morning air. “Pretty sure of yourself.”

  He grabbed her hips as if to lift her off him. “Well, if you don’t think I can—”

  She grabbed hold of his wrists and clamped her knees on his sides. “Did I say that?”

  He looked into her eyes and grinned, but somehow his heart wasn’t as light as his tone. “Have I ever not delivered on a promise made to you?”

  She tilted her head, as if to ponder the question. He bumped his hips up and she gasped, then quickly shook her head. “I suppose not.”

  He pulled her down onto him and pushed deep. His fingers tangled in her hair as she fell across his chest, their hips already locked in perfect rhythm. If he couldn’t watch her when she climaxed, he’d feel it. And feeling her wrapped around him like this was surely more glorious than any sunrise God had ever created.

  As he felt her come apart over him, he found himself making another vow. He’d make sure she remained safe, in his time and hers, and get her back here when it was all over so she could go on with her life.

  Surely that was all he wanted. All he could want.

  “I promise you,” he whispered against the slick skin of her neck. Then he let go, shutting out the fact that he had just given far more to her than his body.

  Chapter 14

  Talia smiled as the first car pulled around the drive toward the kennel. Stella winked at her and went in to get the puppy the family had come to see and hopefully take home with them.

  Talia recalled the talk she’d had with her young employee earlier this morning, about the pom mix. Tugger, she corrected herself. Stella had already named it. And it was probably good timing, since Stella was too wound up with her new baby to notice anything different about Talia today.

  And there was no denying Talia felt different. As though her entire being had been altered. It was just sex, she reminded herself. Spectacular, mind-numbing, universe-altering sex, she amended, feeling her body heat just at the thought. Still, she tried hard to make herself believe it hadn’t changed anything. Not really.

  She was such a lousy liar.

  One night with Archer had changed everything. The entire glorious time she’d been with him, she’d felt, well … right. As if she belonged in his arms. She hadn’t worried about being different, about not being normal. Finally she’d been with someone she felt really knew her, understood her, and had wanted her, desired her. The real her.

  Yep. One night had changed everything. She spied Baleweg looking down from the tower window and waved to him, even as her stomach dropped. And it had changed nothing. She still had to deal with the future. Literally. And she still had no chance of having what could be described as a normal relationship with Devin. Whatever the hell that might be.

  She turned to greet the family. Two children tumbled out of the car, squealing and scrambling to be the first to hold the puppy. She watched as the parents dealt with their enthusiasm with a gentle, but firm hand. They had seemed to be a good match at the fair and now she was certain of it. But she would go through with the formalities anyway, as usual.

  Eight hours and too many interviews later, she was tired but extremely satisfied. She’d placed all but one of the puppies and the two older dogs had in fact ended up being adopted by the same couple. She’d also heard from Mr. Green about the kittens. He’d be picking them up tomorrow. She went to her office and dropped into her chair even as she scooped up the phone. She was hoping to push the remaining two interviews up to tomorrow morning. Once the tabby and the last puppy were gone, she could start getting ready.

  Ready. What exactly did a person pack for the kind of trip she was about to take? She realized then that she’d never asked what year Baleweg and Archer were from. She laughed, but it was hollow and the tiniest bit on the hysterical side. Gee, you might want to ask, oh, one or two questions before you go hopping off to the future, don’t you think, Tal?

  She hung up the phone without dialing and buried her head in her arms instead. Maybe if she pretended she was, oh, an astronaut or something, going off to discover things for the good of mankind, it would be easier to deal with her predicament. She snorted.

  And what had she been thinking to sleep with Archer? My God, he could have any number of diseases from places she couldn’t even imagine, or … or … a history of heaven knew what. But had she cared? Had she even asked? Oh, no. She’d just run right off to be with him. She smiled against her arm, unable to help it. And damn, but it had been good.

  At least it was the wrong time of the month for her. Please, God. Talk about altering the normal order of things. But then, hadn’t her mother bringing her here already altered the normal order of things? Technically, then, she and Archer were actually from the same time and place. So they weren’t so star-crossed after all, or time-crossed. Or … whatever! It didn’t make what she’d done a smart move.

  She lifted her head and raked her fingers through her hair. Her forehead was beginning to throb. There was no point in belaboring what she had already done. Or thinking about how much she’d like to do it again. And again. She should pack some condoms, though. Just to be safe. Jesus, Talia. But she couldn’t stop thinking about Archer, about how he’d felt inside her, about how his hand had felt in hers, the way he’d so gently taken her—“Stop,” she ordered herself. Just stop.

  “Stop what?”

  She jumped about a foot, but Archer settled her back in her chair with his big hands on her shoulders, rubbing her exactly where she needed to be rubbed. It felt wonderful, marvelous. And was going to lead her exactly where she’d just told herself she should never go again.

  Then she made the critical mistake of looking up at him and damn if her heart didn’t just leap, happy as could be. If that wasn’t warning enough, he leaned down and kissed her nose. Her nose, dammit. Could he be more sweet?

  She stood quickly and his hands slid off her shoulders. Which she immediately regretted, but did nothing to remedy. Finally, a smart move. Too damn bad if her body hated her for it. Working to build on her success, scant though it was, she folded her arms and attempted to sound businesslike. Really hard to do when all she could think about was ho
w he’d sounded just this morning, groaning in her ear as he came inside her. Had that just been this morning? How could she be this starved for him if she’d just had him a few hours ago?

  “Have you talked with Baleweg?” She sounded shrill, even to her own ears. “I was just about to call the other two appointments and try to get them to come as early tomorrow as possible. They were the only ones who couldn’t come today. Stella can handle Mr. Green. He’s been here before and knows the drill. Then there are some questions I want to ask Baleweg before we—”

  Her rapid-fire monologue was abruptly cut off when Archer leaned his head down and kissed her. Not that she stopped him, or even tried to. She couldn’t even be angry at herself. She’d do the lecture later. Right now she had to finally admit she was scared out of her mind and it just felt too damn good to be in his strong, reassuring arms. She’d be independent and in total control later.

  When the kiss ended, she laid her head against his chest, comforted to hear that his heart was pounding as hard as hers. God, her brain was cramping from analyzing overload, so she mercifully let go and just felt. And what she felt was fear.

  His.

  She looked up, already silently apologizing even as she asked, “What’s wrong?”

  He looked down into her eyes and said nothing.

  “I’m sorry. My guard was down and I just … I felt your worry. I couldn’t help it. Has something happened?” Her stomach knotted into a tight little ball of dread. “Has someone else found us?” She immediately tried to get out of his embrace. “Stella!”

  He held tight. “She’s fine. No one else has found us but Baleweg just told me the disturbances he’s been feeling are building faster now.”

  “I … I don’t know if I’m ready.”

  He looked into her eyes and smoothed her hair from her face. “I’ll be with you, Tali. Every step of the way.”

  “But Baleweg said he wasn’t sure what the queen would do regarding security and—”

  “And I don’t give a flying hang what she wants to do. She is paying me to deliver you. So she owes me a great deal and if I choose to take payment in the form of continuing to watch over you, then that is what I’ll do. And what she’ll agree to if she wants you there.”