you. She'll trust you to stay by her side. Tell her-tell her I'm here waiting and..." She took a deep breath. "And that I'll do whatever I can to take care of her son."

"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 a.s.s when you don't get your way."

She smiled now, too. "Well, so can my sister."

"G.o.d 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

grat.i.tude. 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."

Chapter 23.

Where 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. d.a.m.n, 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, Marietta 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 Marietta 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," Marietta 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.

Marietta 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." Marietta straightened. "He wishes to see you.""Absolutely not." Both the queen and Archer spoke simultaneously.

Marietta 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 Gat-"

The queen's gaze sharpened, cutting Marietta 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 a.s.sistant 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, Marietta. Not after all this time. Not after what happened."

Archer flexed his fingers, perfectly willing to see the little b.a.s.t.a.r.d who had abandoned the young queen.

"He knows," Marietta 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..." Marietta 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, Marietta," 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, Gat."

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

"How in the h.e.l.l did you let him get by-?""Cat, don't let them-""You cannot be in here!" Marietta 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," Marietta said, stepping beside Archer. "You should have