The Royal Hunter (34 page)

“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 ass when you don’t get your way.”

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

“God 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 gratitude. 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.”

W
here 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. Damn, 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 shifted 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, Marletta buzzed and entered the room without awaiting the queen’s consent. She looked alarmed enough that the queen immediately asked, “What is the matter?”

Archer sprang to his feet and planted himself between Marletta and the queen.

“Pardon the intrusion, Your Highness, but there is someone to see you.”

“Who is it?” This demand came from Archer. His instincts were on full alert and he slid his hand toward the pocket of his jacket that held the blue ball. His other hand moved toward his gazzer.

“It’s … 
him
, Your Highness,” Marletta said with hushed urgency, clearly uncomfortable saying more with Archer so close.

“I’m not going anywhere,” he said flatly, “so you might as well say what you’ve got to say.”

“Yes, please, get on with it,” the queen demanded, then winced and rubbed once again at her stomach.

Marletta moved to her bedside and leaned close. “It’s him.
Him
.”

“I don’t know what you’re—” Then the queen gasped and covered her mouth. “No! Not now. Not after all this time.”

“Yes.” Marletta straightened. “He wishes to see you.”

“Absolutely not.” Both the queen and Archer spoke simultaneously.

Marletta looked between the two of them, but settled on the queen. “You want me to just … turn him away?” She moved closer, her professional demeanor slipping away entirely. “But Cat—”

The queen’s gaze sharpened, cutting Marletta off soundlessly, but very effectively.

Archer had no idea what was going on, but he didn’t think it had anything to do with the current parliamentarian threat or the Dark One. But that didn’t mean a threat didn’t exist. Whoever this person was, it was clear the queen was distressed by his arrival. She and her assistant looked for all the world like two girlfriends in a dither over a man.
Uh-oh
. His gaze shot to the queen who had both hands protectively covering her belly. He thought he had an idea who had come to call.

“I can’t see him, Marletta. Not after all this time. Not after what happened.”

Archer flexed his fingers, perfectly willing to see the little bastard who had abandoned the young queen.

“He knows,” Marletta answered, apparently having completely forgotten Archer was in the room. “He knows about the baby.”

“Well, of course he knows,” the queen spat. “The whole world knows of my condition.”

“But he’s the only one who knows … well …” Marletta moved closer again. “He has a right.”

“He most certainly does not.” In the next instant the severe, regal mask crumpled, shocking Archer. He’d known, certainly, that she was a young woman. But he’d never seen her lose control and act like one.

“He left me, Marletta,” she whispered. “When I needed him most.” Tears tracked down her wan
cheeks. But then she dashed them away. “And he is not going to just waltz back in here after all this time because he’s changed his mind.”

“I never changed my mind, Cat.”

Marletta and the queen both gasped. Archer was already running. Three guards were already on him.

“How in the hell did you let him get by—?”

“Cat, don’t let them—”

“You cannot be in here!” Marletta rushed the door, too.

“Stop it!” This came from Catriona. “Stop it right this instant!” She gasped and grabbed at her stomach and everyone froze. “You,” she managed, nodding toward her guards. “Release him.” They immediately did as she commanded.

Archer didn’t hesitate, however, and crossed immediately to him, planting himself between the young intruder and the queen. “Don’t move.”

The young man complied. “I’m not here to hurt her. I’ve done enough of that already.” He looked steadily into Archer’s eyes, which earned the younger man a slight measure of respect. “I’m here to help her.”

He was shorter than Archer, but built ruggedly. He was blond, with startling green eyes and a handsomely carved face. Archer could see how the queen might have lost her head over him.

“Prince Niall,” Marletta said, stepping beside Archer. “You should have 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 pass. 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 Marletta 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 pushing 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, Marletta, 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 shield Marletta had activated the first time he’d brought Talia here. He turned to Marletta 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. “Hello. 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.”

The man’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed once again and nodded.

Archer looked closely into the older man’s faded blue eyes, but he saw only what one would expect to see from a slightly rattled guest to the queen’s private quarters.

The doctor turned to the queen and cleared his throat. “Your Highness.” He bowed somewhat awkwardly. “Thank you for allowing my presence. I believe I can help you. In fact, I know I can.”

The queen said nothing and remained regally still. Archer noted that she still held Niall’s hand, rather tightly, but despite the fatigue and pain, she projected her most royal, controlled self.

“Tell me exactly what it is you think you can do for me.”

He glanced nervously at Archer, then took a tentative step forward. Archer moved with him, despite the presence of the shield.

“I … I know of a new technique that can repair
the cell damage and reverse the corrosive decay that is ravaging your immune system.”

Catriona’s eyebrows lifted dubiously. “I assure you, Dr. Denby, that I’ve seen every specialist there is. Along with every quack. I have no doubt I have exhausted every possible solution available.”

“But there is a method—”

“I’ve heard of several controversial methods of treatment, all of which place my unborn child in immediate jeopardy. I will not risk him, not even to save myself. If that is what you are here to offer, then you can save your time and mine.”

“You are far enough along to deliver with some degree of hope for his survival, are you not?”

“I am not willing to induce labor early in order to give myself treatment.” She raised her hand to still his rebuttal. “And I will be frank with you, Doctor. At this stage I do not think I’ll survive the delivery to seek treatment afterward.”

Niall looked at her, taking her hand in both of his. “Cat—”

Still the queen, she cut him off, but with honest emotion in her eyes. “Niall. I know this.”

“The method I am talking about should not jeopardize your child,” the doctor explained.

“How is it we have not heard of this procedure?” She turned to Niall. “Did you find him off-Earth? Because I’ve had my consultants look to every plausible advanced society and the only methods they had were extremely questionable.”

“Cat, I know you’re going to find this somewhat hard to believe, but I’ve seen it firsthand.” He looked to the doctor and then to Cat. “He’s from the future.”

As soon as Niall said the words, Archer realized they’d all been set up. There was only one person who could have taken Niall to the future. And it
wasn’t Baleweg. But the realization came a split second too late.

The triangle had already opened beside Niall. And it was on the other side of the shield. The doctor smiled then, his blue eyes twinkling. A cold chill shot down Archer’s spine. The disguise had thrown him, but he recognized those blue eyes now, just not the demonic light behind them.
Emrys!

“Shut it down! Shut down the shield!” Archer shouted to Marletta, who was already punching at her device.

“I’m trying! The buttons are stuck!”

Archer had already palmed his gazzer and was diving toward the doctor, belatedly remembering to grab for the orb in his pocket.

The doctor walked right through the shield, but it held fast for Archer, his speed bouncing him off it, and knocking the blue stone from his hand. It rolled across the floor, far out of reach. There was no time to go after it. He could only hope he’d held it long enough to signal to Baleweg.