Page 71 of The Queen’s Bodyguard

Argos checked his watch again. It was getting close to the next peace talk session, wasn’t it? He had to make a decision quickly. He could break in and kill Pyre, end all these games now. But there were twelve handmaidens to get through, and he’d most likely have to kill Apollo, too—and though that wasn’t a loss that would keep him up at night, it might cause a bit of a mess that Theora wouldn’t appreciate.

Or, he could get back to the room and warn Theora. They could come up with a strategy from there…but so could the Vespulans.

Argos paced for the moment, the itch to kill gnawing at him.

It would be so much easier to just break in and kill them. Far more efficient. Far more…satisfying.

Those were all valid desires of his prey drive, a risk worth taking…when he’d had no one to look after.

Your place is with Theora. You abandoned her all night as it is.

With a growl of frustration, he rushed back toward their wing of the resort, just praying he could navigate it more quickly this time. Praying he wouldn’t be too late.

Chapter 19

Theora

Where is he?

If they didn’t leave soon for the next session, they’d be late, and Theora had no desire to leave that sort of messy impression. Everything had to go smoothly today, after they were so quickly thrown out the day before. But she couldn’t go without Argos. There was no way she could enter that room without her bodyguard.

And if she was honest with herself, his absence was beginning to worry her.

“Ready, angel?”

Theora jerked around, heart thundering, only to see Apollo standing in the doorway. Argos was right—perhaps it’d be better for her nerves if her friend didn’t have a key to their wing.

“Not quite,” she replied, smoothing her dress, taking a breath to regain composure.

“We’ll be a bit late if we don’t leave in the next few minutes.”

“Yes, I know.”

“That’s not like you, Theora.” Apollo paused, glancing around the room. “Where’s Argos?”

“He’ll be here any minute,” Theora said, immediately regretting her harsh tone. “Any minute,” she repeated, her voice calmer. Though she wasn’t sure if she was reassuring Apollo or herself.

Apollo nodded, casually sitting down in the closest chair to wait. “I did a little digging, and I have it on good authority that Queen Pyre isn’t allowed to press the issue of her war commander today.”

Theora raised her brows. “How do you know that?”

“Apparently, the judge called Boada. She confirmed the Warrior logs verbally.”

Theora pushed back her grin of relief. Thank the Sovereign that woman was a spectacular liar. “A small blessing.”

“So it should all go smoothly today.”

“Thank you, Apollo,” she said a bit absently.

They were quiet for a moment.

“Theora,” Apollo began slowly. He took a breath. “Whatever you wanted to say to me next week…could you say it now?”

Theora blinked. “What do you mean?”

“I feel you were trying to give me hope. In the cave, when you told me that we would talk next week. That perhaps…your marriage to Argos isn’t what it seems.”

“It isn’t,” Theora blurted, relief flooding her. “I wanted to tell you, Apollo. There was just…too much risk.”