their bedchamber and she discovered her watch no longer ran.

The dull gonging sound that had roused her repeated itself and Archer stirred.

She smoothed her hand over his back, thinking how wonderful it had been to sleep with his large warm body next to hers. Entwined with hers.

Her smile dimmed as her fingers encountered the not-so-smooth patches of skin scattered across his back. She now knew they were from his childhood. A fierce, protective anger washed through her. How dare they do that to a child?

She continued watching his back rise and fall as he slept, amazed at how strong her feelings for him were. As much as she'd grown to count on his steady presence, she couldn't deny this need she had to be there for him, too.

He chose that moment to stretch and groan a little.

"I think we're being summoned," she whispered in his ear. But it was only when she went to shove the covers off them that he truly awoke and pulled them right back over them again. "You can't be cold," she said. "Your body is like a furnace."

He rolled over and she was surprised by just how alert his eyes were, considering his mumbling response just moments ago. She supposed deep sleep wasn't something he indulged in, not if he wanted to live to sleep again.

"I'm not sure how to answer a gong."

He looked confused, then the deep sound vibrated the walls again. "Wait here.

Do not leave this bed." His tone was surprisingly fierce.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Just don't leave the bed, okay?" He was already rolling to his side and reaching to the floor for his trousers, which he slid on as he walked to the door.

Back in bodyguard mode, she thought, trying not to worry. Instead she thought about last night, the way he'd tucked her beneath the covers, stroked her hair until she'd fallen asleep. He was a man of surprising integrity and a deeply ingrained sense of pride. She had no doubt that he cared for her. But he was also doing his job, keeping her safe. When this was over and done, she had no doubt he'd go on to his next job... and she'd go back home. The memories would be enough. Because they had to be.

Archer came back in the room just then and scooped her robe off the floor.

"Here, put this on." He all but enveloped her as she came out of the bed and slid the robe on her arms. He was belting it before she was completely finished. She laughed. "What's up?"

He looked into her eyes. "The queen's guard is here. Catriona wants to see us.

Now."

Talia's heart stopped for a second. How was it she'd forgotten, even for a second, why she was here in the first place? Then she was moving. "Okay, just let me find my clothes."

Archer grabbed her backpack from one of the lounges. "Here. I a.s.sume you have some clothes in there, right?"

"Crumpled beyond repair, so I hope the queen isn't a stickler for dress."

"Right now I think the queen will be perfectly happy with speed."

Talia tried not to let Archer's urgency faze her. She rarely, if ever, saw him like this. He wasn't one to jump to do another's bidding. But the more she tried to focus, the more tangled her fingers became. The zipper on her pack refused to budge and her robe kept slipping off her shoulder; her hair was in her eyes and she finally ground her teeth in a silent scream of frustration.

And Archer was there, taking the pack from her. "Hey, hey, no worries. We'll

get it done. I'm sorry I came back in a rush. I should have realized-"Somehow, hearing how nervous he was calmed her somewhat. "It's okay. If you can get this zipper open, though, I'd be eternally grateful." He flashed that grin of his and she felt her heart finally slow to a more manageable level.

"I'll hold you to that," he said.

"Please do," she said, feeling steadier now.

She slid out a rolled-up cotton T-shirt dress and shook it out. The wrinkles

weren't too bad, but for an audience with the queen... "I don't exactly have a ball gown in my wardrobe." She'd faced her yesterday just as casually dressed, but somehow this situation felt more formal.

"You'll be fine," Archer said, hustling her into the bathroom and closing it behind them. He availed himself of a razor that, along with a full array of other products, lined the shelf above the double sinks.

"Guess they haven't made shaving obsolete, huh?"

Archer just grinned at her. "They have. I prefer this."

She was glad. There was something very s.e.xy about watching a man shave.

"Do we have time for a shower?"

Now his grin was downright wicked, but he shook his head. "Not this morning, sweetheart. Later."

"I'll hold you to that," she said, smiling, then dressed quickly before stepping next to Archer at the mirror. She made a face at her own reflection.

Archer pulled her face to his and kissed her. "You're beautiful."

She wasn't. Mirrors didn't lie. But she felt much better anyway. She rubbed the shaving cream from her nose and dug out her toothpaste and brush from her pack.

Archer leaned back against the sink and watched in fascination. She felt a little exposed, but she'd watched him shave. "You're really going to enjoy this," she said with a laugh, pulling the floss out.

He folded his arms, remaining silent. But the look on his face... It felt so natural, being with him here like this, as if they ran through these little morning routines together every day. She had her mouth open and the words right on the tip of her tongue, so casual, as if she'd told him she loved him a hundred times before. At the very last second she snapped her mouth shut and turned away, shocked that she'd almost said them out loud. That she'd thought them at all. She tossed everything back in her bag, ran a brush through her hair, and turned back to him, pasting a smile on her face. "Ready."

"In under ten minutes. A true G.o.ddess."

She kissed him soundly on the mouth. "Flattery will get you everywhere." He

grabbed her, making her squeal and swat at his roving hands. "Later." She turned into his arms. "Much later."

His smile faded and he leaned in and gave her a kiss so sweet her heart

melted. He leaned his forehead against hers. "I'll try to be with you all the time, Tali. If for any reason we have to separate, when you attend to the queen, know I'll be as close as I can be." He paused, then pressed his fingers against her heart. "And I'll always be here."

She blinked hard against the sudden rush of tears. All she could do was nod

and press her hand over his fingers. "Thanks," she finally managed. "Let's go."

Fingers linked, they followed the guard through the screen and were immediately swallowed by an even larger cadre of black-and-gold-suited men.

They were escorted swiftly through a maze of corridors that were unfamiliar to Talia. She tried not to worry about what would be expected of her today.

She'd take it as it came and do the best she could. What else could she do? The pep talk did little to help. The constant pressure of Archer's hand in hers did far more. She decided then that the queen would have to put up a good argument for separating the two of them.

She needed him. She didn't want to stop needing him. Dangerous, she knew, but right now she could have cared less. She would handle whatever she had to handle just as she had since she was six years old. But they would d.a.m.n well have to accept Archer's presence beside her as she handled it.

He tugged her hand and winked as the guards pulled up. "No worries?"

"1 in trying.

Then the painted screen before them became transparent and they were

ushered through. Just as quickly, the guards seemed to melt back through the screen, leaving them standing alone in the middle of an empty room with stone walls.

Talia's grip on his hand tightened. "Where are we?" Before he could answer, the wall in front of them began to slide to the left. Archer immediately pulled Talia behind him, his hand going to the small of his back for a weapon.

A small, square box lowered and hovered at the entrance to a small chamber.

The monitor on the front flickered to life and the queen's voice filled the room, even though the tiny screen itself remained dark. "Mr. Archer, it is urgent that

I speak with you. Miss Trahaern, I thought you might like to use the time to explore the room behind this wall. It was your mother's chamber, used by her during her service to the crown, and by all royal healers before her. As no one was left to take her place, my father had this room sealed after the search for her was abandoned. His orders were to only open it when the royal healer returned, and it has remained sealed for all the years since your mother's disappearance. I have no idea what lies inside but I ask that you do not remove anything without discussing it with me first. This is not an entirely unselfish act as I fervently hope you will find something within the room that will help me and my people. If you do, please alert the guards and you will be brought to me immediately." There was a pause and her voice was less strident as she added, "I wish I could offer you more specific tutelage, but regretfully this is all there is."

Talia had lost her breath. "Th-thank you," she managed, wishing she had the

words to express her grat.i.tude for this opportunity.

"Mr. Archer, the guards will escort you to me." The hum of the communicator shut off abruptly and it whizzed directly upward into a ceiling compartment, leaving them unable to argue against their imminent separation.

Talia turned to him. "Go. I'll be okay."

Archer's eyes widened. "You think so, do you?

You wouldn't know Chamberlain if you b.u.mped into him, much less anyone

working for him."

Talia placed her hand on his arm. "I want this time alone with my mother's