The Royal Hunter (40 page)

It was time. Talia Trahaern was going to adopt her first pet. “You and me, tough guy,” she said softly, thrilled and not a little apprehensive about her decision. It was the right one, she knew. She’d learned that giving her heart might be scary, but the rewards were so great it was worth the risk. She stepped closer to the pup, wishing she could scoop him up right now and pour out some of the love she had building up like a wave inside her.

The pup looked up from his rag with wary eyes. But he didn’t move. “Yeah, that’s it.” She stayed where she was, just letting him get used to
smelling her. “I guess I should figure out what to name you.”

“Fella goes on walkabout for a week and he’s replaced by a dog.”

Talia’s heart came to a complete stop. Her stomach leaped up to take its place. And the room might have actually tilted. Certainly she was hearing things. He couldn’t be—She whirled around. “Devin!”

Grinning, bold as life. “In the flesh.”

All her fantasies of what she’d do, how she’d act, what she’d say, how she’d protect herself, her heart, if he ever came back, were rendered useless. She had already launched herself into his arms. And thanked God when he wrapped his arms tightly around her.

“I can’t believe it. It’s really you,” she said, breathless.

His eyes squeezed shut. He said nothing, just held her, very tightly. Talia clung to him, still reeling from the shock of seeing him again. And was thankful beyond words that he needed to hold her as much as she needed to hold him. They’d sort the rest out later. Just as soon as they could let each other go.

Finally he shifted her back enough so he could look at her. Surprisingly, there were tears in his eyes. She laughed, because there were tears in hers, too.

“You’re okay.” They both spoke at the same time, then both laughed and nodded.

“Baleweg told me what you did, Tali. You scared me to death.”

“Saved your life,” she shot back, but her grin disappeared. “What … what happened? Baleweg promised he’d let me know, but I’d begun to think the worst.”

“Did you?” There was worry and concern in his eyes. “That’s the part I hated the most. But there were
things we had to do and I wanted to answer all your questions when I did come. I hated leaving you here, not knowing. I’d hoped maybe you just … knew. I’ve spent every moment of every day thinking about you, hoping you were somehow connecting to that.”

“I … I wanted to. At first I couldn’t. Then, as I got stronger again … well, I guess I was just … I was afraid of what I’d feel.” She pulled the blue orb from her pocket and laughed self-consciously. “I carry this around all the time; it makes me feel closer to you.” She finally shrugged and looked away. “Baleweg promised and I figured if he never came back, that would be my answer.”

He pulled her back to face him. “Tali, I’m sorry we worried you.”

“It’s okay, you’re here now.” She steeled herself. “So, please, tell me. I have to know. What happened? Catriona?” She swallowed hard. “The baby?”

“She’s going to be okay. You should know that much, it was you who got her through childbirth.” He stroked her face. “You have a nephew, Talia. You saved his life, and your sister’s.”

“She’s okay?” Talia grabbed his shoulders. “But how?” She felt as if her whole being had been lit up from the inside. “I have a nephew?” she whispered in awe.

“Trevor is a right fine little man. We’re mates. Only fair since I helped pull the little battler into this world.” His eyes reflected his own awe. “It’s a miracle, Tali, seeing a child be born.”

“Trevor.” Talia stilled. “Oh, my God.” She had a nephew. She hugged Archer tightly with the sheer thrill of it. “And you were there!”

He hugged her back just as tightly. “We were both there, Talia. We were both there.”

She pulled back. “Is Baleweg okay?”

“There’s much to tell you. He and Emrys—”

“Emrys! What did he do? I tried to connect, tried to help—”

“You did, Talia. He’s … well, I can’t describe the odd bond that ties the two, they are so different. And yet, seeing them in the same room …” He shuddered. “It was the oddest thing. Emrys is younger but the spitting image of the old man when you look at him, especially the eyes.”

“But, you can’t mean … surely you did something to make certain he—”

“I did my best to make them see they were set to destroy one another and I think they understood that. Emrys is more like a spoiled child who was trying to get attention and Baleweg was the father figure who didn’t have the first idea how to provide that attention. They’re … working on it.” He didn’t look any more convincing than he sounded.

Talia was more than a little dubious. “They’re working on it. Together.”

Archer shrugged. “At least he can keep tabs on him this way. I can’t tell you more than that.”

She shuddered. “I’m not sure I want to know.”

Archer nodded, clearly feeling the same.

“So, where is he now?”

“Last I heard, he’s stayed at court. He personally escorted Niall, Catriona, and the baby.”

“Niall?”

“Long story. He’s a Nordic prince, the father of the baby, and he’s the one who found the cure for Catriona. Actually, believe it or not, it was Emrys who led him to it.”

She stopped dead. “Emrys?”

“Not with the intention of actually helping, mind you. He’d only done it to lure Niall into his plan to get close enough to the queen to take her.”

She opened her mouth, at least a dozen different
questions on her tongue, then stopped and held up her hand. “I’m sure you’ll explain all this to me, but right now I’m having a hard enough time imagining Baleweg willingly going to court.” Talia put her hand on his arm. “Just tell me Emrys is not with him because no matter what—”

“Not to worry there. They’ve reached a certain … understanding. Emrys isn’t too fond of the wee screaming ones at any rate.” Archer pulled her back into his arms. “Baleweg has handled it. Trust in him, Tal.”

She nodded, but was not completely convinced. “So,” she said at length. “Baleweg is at court.” She shook her head, pushing out the worry and letting the much-needed joy swell inside her.

“Pain in the ass he is, too. Stubborn, autocratic, thinks he knows everything about—” He broke off as Talia started laughing. “What?”

“Takes one to know one,” she said, beaming up at him.

Archer opened his mouth, then closed it.

Talia just kept grinning. She didn’t think she’d ever be able to stop. She couldn’t even speak. The joy of simply standing here, staring at him, listening to him, was overwhelming. No matter what happened next, right now everything was perfect in her world.
He was okay. They were all okay
.

Archer looked concerned. “Sweetheart, don’t take this the wrong way, but you look as if a band of fairies could knock you over. Maybe I should get you to the house.”

“But—”

“No buts. I promise I’ll tell you every single detail of what happened.”

“I just wanted to tell you. About Ringer.”

“Ah, yes, about that. Baleweg’s idea. I know you mustn’t have been too—”

She shushed him with a kiss. “It was the best present he could have given me. A living, breathing connection to you. Proof that I didn’t dream the whole thing up.” She smiled. “He does take some getting used to. But I guess you could say we’re mates.”

Archer scooped her up in his arms and whirled her about. “Well, all is fine in my world, then. The family of Devin Archer is now whole and complete.”

Talia laughed, not minding that her head was spinning. Then his words sank in. “What exactly do you mean?”

He let her feet slide to the ground and looked into her eyes. “I mean what I said. My family is complete.” His expression sobered. Except for the passion in his dark eyes. She felt the thrill of it down to her toes. “I know I took too long in coming back and I regret the worry I caused you. But I didn’t want to come until I could—” He broke off, then blurted, “I knew I’d botch this.”

She didn’t know what to say, or even what he meant.

“You know, this isn’t at all how I planned this.”

She was so touched by his obvious distress but she couldn’t help the dry smile that curved her lips. “You? Planned?”

He pretended to look offended. “I’ll have you know I’ve spent long hours planning this very moment.”

Her mouth tilted up, but she knew she was going to cry.

“Oh, no, we’ll have none of that. Wait, wait.”

She sniffed through her smile. “What is it I’m waiting for?”

He scooped her up again, carried her outside, and almost tripped over something. Swearing colorfully, he maintained his hold on her and barely got his balance back.

She looked down. “What is that?” Just outside the kennel door was her backpack, another larger one, three duffel bags, and several oddly shaped cases. “I, um, packed. Just a few things.”

Talia did cry then, even as she laughed outright at the color that crept into his cheeks. “Just some stuff, huh?”

“Yeah.” He dried her tears with his fingertip. “Do you think you’re feeling well enough for a short walk?”

Right at that moment, Talia was fairly certain she could fly if she put her mind to it. She nodded.

Archer let her slide to her feet. “Wait just one moment.” He turned and dug into her pack, then came back with Beatrice’s hat in his hands. “Here.” He plopped it on her head. “I’ve actually dreamt of you wearing that horrible thing.” He hoisted another pack on his back, took her hand, then said, “What the hell,” and scooped her back into his arms.

“Devin—”

“Yeah, yeah, you can walk. I just want to hold you.” He looked down at her. “Okay?”

“Okay.” She realized then they hadn’t even kissed yet. And it was suddenly a yawning, gaping need inside her. But he’d “planned” and she was going to let him call the shots.

“Almost there.”

Talia had a pretty good idea where they were going, but she still found herself holding her breath until they got there. She let it out when Archer stopped by the flat rock. Their rock.

He let her slide to her feet once again. “Okay, now turn around.”

“What?”

He motioned with his hand. “Turn around. Don’t peek.”

He was actually nervous. She smiled, touched. “Really, you don’t have to—”

“Tali, please.”

She raised her hands, totally charmed. “Okay, okay.” She turned around, but listened unashamedly. Zippers whizzed open, things rustled, something broke, Archer swore, another zipper whizzed, more rustling, more swearing. And she thought her heart might just burst with how much she loved him. “I didn’t know kangaroos could do that,” she said. “Do all Aussies swear so creatively?”

“We’re creative in all kinds of ways, sweetheart. I thought you knew that about me by now.”

Talia felt the heat climb inside her. And then his hands were covering her eyes and the heat spiked clear through the top of her head.

“Okay,” he said next to her ear. “You can turn around, but don’t open your eyes. Promise me.”

“I promise.” He turned her around, and into his arms. Then his lips were on hers and her eyes stayed shut anyway. It was better, so much better than all her fevered dreams and wistful remembrances. And once wasn’t nearly enough.

“You make me want things I’ve never wanted, Tali,” he murmured against her mouth.

She opened her eyes, but looked only at his. “I know what you mean. I was all set to live alone, me and my animals. Animals I gave away to someone else to love. I can’t settle for that anymore. You taught me that.”

He looked honestly shocked. “I did?”

She nodded. “You taught me that I have a lot more to give if I am willing to risk my heart.”

He was trembling. “I didn’t even know I had one. Not really. My whole life has been focused on security. Making sure I had enough, that I’d never want
for anything ever again. And that I’d never depend on anyone else to give it to me. And then I met you, and I needed you. In ways that had nothing to do with independence or material wealth.” He took her hand, kissed her palm, and placed it on his heart. “You gave me back this. And I want to share it with you.”

Tears sprang to her eyes again.

“You once asked me if people still get married in my time. The answer is yes, they do, if that is how they wish to show their commitment to one another. I never, ever, believed in that romantic type of love, much less any kind of commitment. But I’ve already committed my heart to you, Talia. And I find that I want the rest.” He shifted and turned so she could see what he had set up.

There was a silk blanket, suspiciously woven in the royal colors, and a bottle of champagne with two glasses. But it was the petals, the hundreds of petals, that caught her attention. Some were blackened and crushed from their arduous journey—perhaps those touched her the most.

“My romantic bower,” she whispered.

“You deserve more, and I want to give it to you.”

She turned back to him. “I want only one thing from you. I want your love.”

“I do love you, Talia. That I most certainly do.”

“Then the answer is yes.”

Archer tipped his head back and shouted to the skies, then once again swept her up in his arms. “She loves me! Did you hear that?” His words echoed across the pond.

“I’m fairly certain they heard you all the way to the Lodge.”

He spun her about, then stopped. “Say it, Tali. I need to hear you say it.”

“I love you, Devin Archer. I love you with my whole heart.”

A loud purring intruded and they turned to find Ringer, in sleek, black cat mode, luxuriating among the rose petals.

“Thinks I did all this for him, most likely.”

He’d tried to sound irritated, but Talia saw the love and the relief in his eyes as he looked at his other life companion.

“I won’t tell him if you won’t.”

Archer looked back to her. “Let me give him the boot.”

She traced a hand over his face. “You do know how much what you did means to me.”

“I just wanted to—”

“I know,” she said, reaching up to kiss him. “You need the romance as much as I do.” His face reddened adorably, but he didn’t deny it and she kissed him again. “Now, about all that other stuff you packed, does that mean—?”