The queen stilled. “Why do you ask?”
“Because someone knew. Someone tried to kill my mother here. It’s why she left. And she was concerned later; that’s why she moved us around so much.” She gasped as she put the rest together. “And whoever knew must have used the Dark One’s powers to have her followed. Baleweg honored her request to be left alone and I believe him. Which leaves Emrys as the only other one who could have followed her through time.” She thought about the car crash that had claimed her mother’s life. “And perhaps killed her.”
“And you think my mother was behind this?” Catriona’s face grew even paler.
“Who else would have hated Eleri enough? Was your mother in Cynan’s life before my mother left?”
The queen nodded. “They weren’t romantically linked then, but soon after.” She paused and rubbed at her belly.
Talia, despite the series of shocks she had been subjected to, felt immediately contrite. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be questioning this now. You had nothing to do with that and no one can possibly know for sure. It’s all in the past.”
The queen wasn’t listening to her. “You think your mother was murdered?”
“I never did before. I’m—This is all just too much to deal with. I’m imagining things.”
“Your mother didn’t think so. You say she moved you often.” The queen fell silent. “Maybe my mother did suspect. As much as I hate to say this, she would be the type to do whatever necessary to ensure that Eleri never came back, especially with a child carrying royal blood.” She seemed to slump down in the bed and Talia hurried to her side, but stopped short of touching her when the queen shifted away. “My God,” Catriona whispered brokenly. “The Dark One … he must have known. And when the time was right, he made sure Chamberlain knew.”
Talia took her hand then, steeled against the rage of pain but allowed it to invade her anyway, giving the queen any respite she could as she dealt with the blow of her mother’s apparent vengeance. “Baleweg says the Dark One doesn’t care about the throne or Chamberlain. It’s all just a game to him. He enjoys toying with lives, Baleweg’s specifically. It was Baleweg’s connection to my mother that likely drew him into this in the first place.”
Catriona looked up to her then and Talia was shocked by the fierce light she saw in her sister’s eyes. “Well, he won’t toy with my life!” She pulled free from Talia’s grasp then and struggled to sit taller in her bed. She waved away Talia’s hand.
“Your Highness—”
“That is your title too now, you know. And we will thwart them all because of it. Or you will.”
Talia opened her mouth, then snapped it shut again as she felt the blood rushing from her head. She sat heavily in the chair next to the bed. “I … I can’t—I’m not—”
“You are. And you will. At least until my son is of age to take over. My son. Your nephew.”
Talia’s gaze followed Catriona’s to her distended stomach and terror filled her at what the queen was suggesting.
“You will raise my son, protect him. You will raise him as the next ruler of this country, to continue the legacy of the House of Dalwyn. A legacy you are now a part of.”
Talia began to shake, but she couldn’t look away from the mound of blankets that covered the next king. “I don’t know anything about how to be ruler. And I know even less of being a mother.”
“You say you run an animal shelter. Your maternal instincts are there.”
“I hardly think that’s the same thing.”
The queen’s expression sharpened, as well. “It’s more training than I have.” She held Talia’s gaze with her own steely one. “You are the only one who carries the blood of my son and my father … and me, inside you. Don’t you see, Talia? You are the only one.”
Talia shot to her feet. “You don’t even know me! How can you trust me with something like this?”
“You’re my sister. You are a Dalwyn, Talia. Perhaps not purely, but what is not Dalwyn is Trahaern, the most trusted servant to a Dalwyn. How can I not trust you?” She held out her hand once again. “I must trust you.”
Talia stumbled back behind the chair. “I need to—I need to think. I can’t think.”
Catriona lay there pale and wasting, and yet the fierce light of determination remained as powerful as ever in her eyes. Talia saw the strength then, the strength of a woman who had somehow managed, despite her youth and failing health, to rule a country. Talia was in awe of her. And completely terrified that this same woman would place all her hopes and dreams on Talia’s so eminently unqualified shoulders.
Suddenly the queen’s assistant was beside her again. She hadn’t even seen her approach. “Marletta, see Talia back to her room.”
“But—”
“You can do this, Talia,” the queen said, fatigue clear in her voice now, as was the pain. “We will speak of it again later. For now I must have rest.”
Talia felt as if her world were spinning and indeed it was as Marletta helped her from the room.
Chapter 22
Archer sprawled on one of the lounges, his demeanor deceptively casual as he watched guards oversee the clearing of the supper service that had awaited them upon Talia’s return from seeing the queen. He was deeply worried about her and still trying to absorb the bombshell she’d dropped.
All dozen of them, from the apparent involvement of Emrys and Catriona’s late mother, Her Royal Highness Gwendolen, in Eleri’s death, to Talia’s royal blood tie to Catriona, to the stunning request of the queen that Talia take her place and raise her child. He could hardly take it all in. He had no idea how Talia could be handling all this.
She was pacing in front of the fireplace, her food mostly untouched. Once the guards and palace personnel had finished and left, he rose and caught her in mid-stride, rubbing the shoulders she held so rigidly. “What can I do to help you? Tell me and I’ll do it.” He’d never felt so helpless, or so angry. Angry at Catriona for the horrifically unfair position she’d placed Talia in. Had he had any idea that was the fight she’d intended when she rang for Talia …
Talia turned to him, lifted her hands, then dropped them to her sides again. “I have no idea. This is all way too much for me to deal with. I … I didn’t come here thinking—” She broke off with a harsh laugh. “Obviously I didn’t come here thinking, period.” She paced again.
Archer grinned, trying to lighten the mood. “I always thought you carried yourself like a royal. I guess I had it right all along. Do I have to address you as ‘Your Majesty’ now?”
Talia made a face at him. “Very funny.”
Archer held on to his smile, but it cost him. Not only was he dealing with the astonishing turn Talia’s life had taken, but also the devastating death of his last remaining fantasies of somehow making things work with her. He understood now why the queen had been so concerned about his feelings for Talia. In fact, he was surprised she hadn’t tried to separate them. Likely she realized Talia needed him now to steady her. And despite the fact that he felt wholly helpless to do anything for her, he wasn’t above wanting to nurture that need.
She sank down onto one of the lounges. “I have a sister,” she whispered. She’d alternately worried about the burden the queen had placed on her slender shoulders … and remained astonished by the fact that she had family living.
Archer took her hand as he sank down next to her. She looked up at him, her eyes luminous despite the worry and fear. “I honestly can’t believe it.”
“It’s a gift. No matter what happens, Tali, you can believe in that. You have family now.”
Her face crumpled. “A family that is going to die. Leaving me with a child I can’t possibly be a mother to.”
They’d already gone over this. There was nothing left that he could say to convince her. Not that he honestly wanted to. The idea of leaving her in this pit of political vipers made his stomach knot. He simply couldn’t see her raising a royal, either. Not that she wasn’t capable of mothe
ring him, but this wasn’t the life he’d envisioned for her.
For them?
He shut that vision right down. Instead he tipped her face to his and kissed her. He felt her relax and sink into him a bit. “Maybe we should let this go for the night. You’re going to have to talk a great deal more with Catriona before any decisions are made. Which can’t happen tonight. So why not leave off and come to bed with me.”
When he stood and pulled her with him, she whispered, “Thank you,” a smile rising to her lips.
He wondered how it was possible for a heart to both swell and break at the same time. He squeezed her hand and led her silently to the bedroom. She came easily into his arms, as if she’d been born to fit there. But even as she gave herself over to him and allowed him to take care of her, making him feel as if he were the only one that could … he knew she’d been born for another role entirely. One that had no place for him.
The following morning Archer summoned the guard before the queen could summon Talia. She’d tossed and turned all night and was paler than he’d ever seen her this morning. He hadn’t forgotten the mission Catriona had asked of him the morning before and made a decision. “I need to speak with the queen as early as she is able. Tell her it is about the matter we discussed yesterday.”
A communication monitor lowered in the main room a half hour later. The screen once again remained dark, but the queen’s voice emanated from it, her voice clearly weak. “I have meetings with several Parliamentarians and a long session with a host of physicians this morning, Mr. Archer. This had better be important.”
“Physicians?”
There was a pause and Archer could feel the chill of the royal frost, but she did finally respond. “Pain management and a progress report on my son.”
Archer bowed his head, uneasy with her unexpected confidence. But at least she spoke of her child now with the absolute confidence of one who expected his existence to continue. He only wished she had more of that optimism for herself. He was the sort who was unwilling to give up, but then he’d never faced the enemy she was dealing with.
“I need to go into the city,” he said. “To obtain the information you requested.”
“That can be arranged. You wish to go this morning?”
“Yes. And I want to take Talia with me.”
“Absolutely not.” Her tone wasn’t nearly as weak as it had been the moment before.
“She needs to get out of here for a bit.”
“She needs to remain under my protection. I assume she told you.”
“Yes. Just as I assume this matter is still private knowledge.”
There was a long pause, then, “Regardless, she is in danger and until you can get me the information I require, I must insist she stay here.”
“Then it is impossible for me to get you that information. Because I refuse to leave her here.”
“You do not think I can maintain her safety?”
“You do not think I can?”
“I have far greater numbers to watch over her.”
“Many of whom you cannot trust. You know you can trust me. Your guard has performed well so far, but if even one person knows of Talia’s real connection to you, she will be in danger.”
There was another long pause. Archer knew he had a strong bargaining position. Catriona urgently needed to know what Emrys’s role was. Was it more than a game to him? Only Baleweg could give them the answer.
Archer tried another tack, gentling his tone. “Talia is overwhelmed, Your Highness. If she can leave the castle even for several hours, she will have a chance to get her bearings and put things in perspective. We will be with Baleweg. You know he is committed to her safety. If he feels she is threatened in any way, we will return here at once. And he is best equipped to determine the danger she is in.”
This time the pause was shorter and Archer sensed that he’d gained ground. Finally there was an audible sigh and he released the breath he’d been holding.
“I insist on sending a guard escort to and from the Old One’s residence.”
“Not if you expect him to be there when I arrive.”
The queen swore and didn’t bother to lower her voice. Archer smiled. He’d won.
“I do not like the position you have put me in, Mr. Archer. More stress I do not need.”
“Neither does Talia and she’s far more unaccustomed to dealing with it.”
The frost returned. More like a deep freeze. “This is an extremely undesirable situation and I will not forget or forgive if anything goes awry.”
“Dock my pay.” Archer swore he heard a surprised snort. He fought his own smile. For the first time, he felt there truly was a family bond between Catriona and Talia. The queen had her sister’s sense of humor.
“I just might,” she said. “I want you back here no later than midday.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
“Do not test me, Mr. Archer.” The monitor shut off and whizzed into the recessed area in the ceiling. “What was that all about?”
Archer turned to find Talia standing in the doorway, looking delightfully rumpled. “Did you finally get some sleep?”
“Yes.” She yawned hugely, blushing as she covered her mouth. “Sorry.”
Archer grinned and went to her. He pulled her into his arms, wanting nothing more than to tumble her back into bed. But he knew he was on borrowed time. “I got you a present.”
She smiled, surprised. “You did?”
“We’re off to see Baleweg.”
“We are? Me, too?”
“You, too. I need to ask him some questions, information the queen asked me to get yesterday.”
“I never asked you what happened during your meeting,” she said. “I can’t believe I forgot.”
“You’ve had one or two other things to deal with.” He could have kicked himself as shadows crossed her lovely face once again. He leaned in and kissed her soundly. “But for the next couple of hours, no worries about all that.”
“I can’t believe Catriona is letting me go.”
“I have good bargaining skills.”
Talia looked over her shoulder at him. “I just bet you do.”
“Hurry and dress. I’d join you, but we’d never get out of here.”
“A shame that,” she said, imitating his accent.
“I can remedy it later.”
“Yes,” she said, sashaying into the bathroom. “You can.”
Archer noticed that Talia enjoyed the ride into the city far more than she had enjoyed the ride out of it. Her head was tilted back and she reveled in the feel of the air rushing over her skin.
Archer also noticed the queen had sent a guard out, although they were trying hard to look inconspicuous. He let them trail him until they were well into the city proper. Then he turned to Talia and said, “Hold on tight, sweetheart, these streets get a bit tricky.” It took him longer to lose them than he’d thought it would, but he managed it all the same. He looked to Talia, whose eyes were a little buggy, but she had handled it well, all in all. He parked in an alley, then put the shield up as soon as he helped Talia over the side. “Let’s hope he didn’t take off.”
Talia looked at him in surprise. “Doesn’t he know we’re coming?”
“Do you really think there is anything Baleweg doesn’t know?”
They knocked at his door, but no one answered.
Talia looked crestfallen. “So what now? Do we go back?”
“Ah, well, look there.” He jogged down the hall to the tall window, then 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 r
eached 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 shifted 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. “Cynan was your father.”
It wasn’t a question. Talia nodded, her eyes glassy. “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 friendship, you have to know that.”
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