Page 73 of The Queen’s Bodyguard

“We can’t go in there,” he whispered back. “They’ve set us up.”

Chapter 20

Argos

Theora looked as if she were going to faint. “What do you mean?”

“Earlier this morning,” said Argos, glancing to see where Apollo was before continuing, “I smelled Pyre and Apollo together. He was in her room. They’re clearly plotting something—”

“You’re ridiculous, you know that?” Theora scoffed, squirming out of his arms to glare up at him. “Your jealousy knows no bounds.”

Argos paused. Her harsh reaction made no sense. “I’m the one who’s here to protect you, Theora. I know what I smelled.”

“Apollo was in our room while I was waiting for you. He couldn’t have also been in Pyre’s.”

“Was he? The whole time?”

She glared at him, shaking her head. “I don’t have time for this. We’re already late—Cease, Argos!” she commanded, when he grabbed her arm.

He let go instantly, his hands trembling with the effort of fighting back. She was getting far too good at commanding him, but this time it felt more like a betrayal.

“Let me protect you,” he said, his voice low, desperate.

Theora bit her lip. Perhaps his emotion had gotten to her. “Protect me in there,” she said, and took his hand, leading him into the meeting room.

Just inside was a guard to greet them. “Forgiveness, Your Grace, but there was a complaint issued about your third at the negotiation table. It’s been requested that he sit in the viewing area instead.”

Argos felt his gut twist. The viewing bleachers were fifteen feet away from the table. He was fast, but that wasn’t close enough to stop Pyre if she chose to attack, not without Theora getting hurt. His wife…at the mercy of Vespulans.

The image of Izzi’s burned, mangled body flashed through his mind, until all he could see was Theora.

Never again. Never.

“Requested by whom?” Theora demanded.

“It was an anonymous request, Your Grace,” said the guard.

“What was the reason?”

The guard hesitated, glancing a bit timidly at Argos. “He’s a Warrior, ma’am.”

“And? This is clear discrimination.”

“Queen Theora,” said the judge, “I approved the request. He either joins the viewing party or waits outside. It’s your choice.”

Argos tugged on her hand before she could move, and when she looked up at him, he hoped beyond hope that she could read the pleading in his eyes.

We can’t stay here. Your friend is working with the enemy. They want you dead.

He saw Theora swallow. “It’s all right, Argos. Join the viewing party.”

Argos nearly grabbed her arm and dragged her out of there. But then…maybe a Warrior’s style of justice was what was required. If Pyre or Apollo did anything, it would give him valid cause to kill them, which would solve their immediate problems, at the very least.

And even if there wasn’t valid cause, he would kill someone, regardless, before he’d allow anyone to hurt Theora.

So, he obeyed, and went to the viewing area, with all his senses alert.

“Now.” The Judge Imperium opened her binder, glancing through it. “We’ve received the proper evidence regarding yesterday’s issue, and as far as Aranea’s involvement in the death of Vespula’s war commander is concerned, I have decided to rule in favor of Aranea. Not guilty. Any objections to that?”