Page 84 of The Queen’s Bodyguard

“You can’t lend people magic. You’re either born with it or you’re not.”

“Well, I wasn’t, if you must know.”

“Okay, let me ask you again, Theora—how do you think you’ve been commanding me all this time?”

Theora paused, lowering the pillow, her shock and realization making her trembling fingers drop it to the carpet. “I’ve been commanding you with…with my own magic?”

Argos was beginning to look a bit concerned. “You didn’t know you had Ampulexi magic?”

“Well, I-I…I’m Aranean.” She lowered herself to the couch again, feeling her legs threatening to give out. “My eyes are the mark of an Aranean royal. I should be able to weave, like you.”

Argos watched her carefully. “Are you about to have a crisis?”

“I thought I didn’t have magic my entire life, and now I find out that not only do I have magic, but it’s a completely impossible kind for an Aranean queen to have. So, yes, I’m about to have a crisis!”

Theora went straight for the phone, but her husband’s hand was immediately on top of hers, preventing her from lifting it.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“Calling Boada,” she said, her tone turning slightly annoyed when she couldn’t get Argos to move his hand. “She must have known about this—I mean, she sent me here thinking she had charmed a damn rope.”

“Okay, well—” Argos still looked like he wanted to laugh. “For privacy reasons, this might not be a topic to broach over the phone.”

Theora paused. “You’re right. My claim as queen will most definitely be jeopardized.”

“Why would it be? You have magic.”

“Yes, but it’s not Aranean magic.” Theora paced in a circle. “There’s no precedent for this.”

Argos put his weaving aside, calm as ever. “Let’s get out of here.”

“And go where, exactly?” Theora raised her brows. “I’m sure Venita will be here soon to let us know the outcome.”

“Forget Venita. We’ll deal with peace negotiations ourselves.” He grabbed a pair of sneakers. “But first, let’s get you something to eat.”

Theora grinned. Something about the way he said it made her finally feel like perhaps this could be a normal day with normal activities. “Where are we going?”

He raised a clever brow. “You leave that to me.”

Argos opened the attic door and escorted a skeptical Theora through it and into the dark tunnel. At the moment, there was really no telling how safe it was to travel, but it seemed deserted.

As soon as he shut away the light from their suite, Theora’s hands silently found him, holding on to his shirt, relief washing over her as he took her hand.

Soon they reached more traveled tunnels, lit and inviting. Argos picked the lock to the gate and led them both through. Thankfully, it didn’t take long before even Theora could smell and hear the life of the market.

They exited the tunnel into the market behind a pile of crates, and Argos swiftly led Theora in to naturally blend with the crowd.

Once there, Theora felt more comfortable and took over. There was no threat of danger here, now that they were in the East Market, where the Vespulans had no access. Besides, this was her domain, markets and people. She had no idea what she was looking for, but maybe they didn’t need to look for anything. Maybe they both just needed some time out of that suite. To think of something other than why they were there.

Perusing the stalls instead of rushing by them as they had done the other day, Theora paused to greet everyone who spoke to her. And everyone spoke to her—there wasn’t a stall owner who didn’t recognize the beautiful Queen Theora, who didn’t want to give her free merchandise. The goal had been to avoid notice, but there didn’t seem to be anybody who didn’t know who Theora was, even if some had only heard of her and seen her photos in the newspapers.

“Everything smells so good,” she said. “I didn’t realize how hungry I am.”

“I did,” said Argos.

She looked up at him. Not with annoyance, but with the slightest bit of admiration. She took his hand and led them to the exact stall that had struck his curiosity the last time they’d been here, with the marinated octopus grilling and fragrant. The cook behind the counter was so excited to be hosting royalty, she rushed around the counter and nearly hugged Theora instead of bowing.

“Growing up,” said Theora, “I would have dinner with Boada at least once a week, and I always asked her for this—I’ve never tasted a broth like hers from any restaurant. Only an Ampulexi can make it for you right.”