The Royal Hunter Read Online Free PDF

Baleweg muttered.
    The court?
“Is Jimmy in some kind of legal trouble? What did he do?” She knew something was weird about that guy. But how in the hell it involved her mother … Her head throbbed.
    Baleweg turned to them both, his serene countenance now shored up with a goodly amount of steel. “Miss Trahaern, I apologize for the manner in which this situation has been brought to your attention. However, I cannot reverse what has been done.” He looked at Archer. “Much as I would like to. Once a life is entered, I can only go forward in it.” He gestured behind them. “I see there is a gazebo down near the gardens. Why don’t we head there and I will endeavor to answer all your questions.”
    A life entered? Again, she had no idea what he was talking about. She did know that the gazebo was another hundred yards father away from the Lodge. Not a good idea. “We’ll have our little talk right here.” She eyed first Archer, then Baleweg. “You’ll answer my questions, then I’ll decide what, if anything, I’ll do to help you.”
    Archer stared at the woman who was worth a queen’s ransom to him. Unfortunately, this wasn’t a dead-or-alive mission. He turned to Baleweg. “Catriona wants Eleri Trahaern. How do you know her daughter will be able to help?”
    Baleweg didn’t look away from Talia. “The gift is passed from mother to daughter.”
    If Archer had shifted his gaze to Talia’s even a moment later, he would have missed the split-second flash of … what had it been? Fear? Understanding?
    It was the latter that propelled him forward. If she was a healer like her mother, then she would do. “What do you remember about your mother?”
    “I believe I said I would ask the questions.” There was heat in her voice. Her eyes had edged away from the wildness he’d seen earlier. Perhaps she was made of stronger stuff than her willowy frame and fine halo of dark hair would lead one to believe. But it was those ethereal gray eyes that held his attention. “How do you know my mother?” She looked to them both.
    “I never knew her,” Archer replied. “But I knew of her. She held a rather prominent position in court.”
    “Court? I don’t remember her ever mentioning she was involved in the legal system.”
    “The House of Dalwyn.”
    Baleweg stepped between them both. “He is speaking of the royal court.”
    Talia looked confused. “Royal? But isn’t Queen Elizabeth a Windsor or something?”
    “The House of Dalwyn comes after the Windsors. Much after, in fact.” Baleweg reached out a hand. “This is confusing, but I assure you we can explain everything.”
    Talia backed away from his touch. “Just tell me how you know my mother and how you tracked me down.” She left Jimmy’s role out of it for now. She glanced at her watch, then darted a look to the lobby door.
    Archer knew their time was growing short. Baleweg was handling this all wrong. Looking into her eyes, Archer realized what it was he’d seen earlier, beyond the fear, the understanding. Curiosity. She was terrified, but she still wanted to know. She’d been six when Eleri died and apparently knew nothing about her mother’s role in a future kingdom. He could change that.
    “We come from a future time. As did your mother.” He gauged her reaction. Stunned confusion. She didn’t know anything about this. Archer swore under his breath. Nothing was ever easy. “Our ruler, Queen Catriona Dalwyn, is very ill. Your mother served her father, King Cynan.” A flicker of recognition. He leaped on it. “You recognize the name?”
    She shook her head, but she was lying.
    “Your mother, what did she tell you about him?” he insisted.
    “Nothing. It was … it was a bedtime story. A fairy tale.” Real fear flickered in her eyes.
    “It’s no fairy tale, Talia. Your mother was telling you where she was from. That was her home. Now the queen needs your help.”
    Talia’s expression clearly said that she felt as if she were