Page 88 of The Queen’s Bodyguard

“And that’s not proof enough for you?”

“Maybe he’s being careful, since he knows I’m in danger. He must have information we need.”

Argos sighed heavily. “You brought me here to protect you, but you never listen to me. He’s trying to get you out in the open.”

“You sound ridiculous, Argos,” she said, suddenly angry. “What possible advantage could Apollo gain by killing me? Ruling kings are obsolete—he’d have a hell of a time convincing the people, much less parliament, that he could rule without me.”

“Well, something is going on, Theora, and you’re too blinded by your affection for Apollo to see it.”

Theora ignored his words, grabbing his wrist to look at his watch. “Oh, Sovereign, less than an hour now.” She hurried to the bedroom.

Argos sighed and followed.

“Don’t tell me you’re going,” he said, watching her run to the bathroom to quickly put on makeup. “We’re in confinement, and you run to your man at the drop of a hat with zero suspicion of his intentions.”

“He’s not my ‘man.’ ”

“Then what’s with the urgency? And the full face of makeup?”

She scowled at him before leaning back into the mirror. “I’m a queen. I can’t be seen out there looking a mess.”

“You don’t look like a mess to me…” He sighed, sitting on the bed, shaking his head at himself for getting distracted. “What happened to calling Boada?”

“Peace talks take precedence.”

“Then why not just meet with Pyre? She’s offered to do it without bothering with mediators. No one would have to know.”

Theora looked at him as if he’d lost his mind. “And no one would find our bodies, either.”

Argos smirked. They were more alike than he’d thought.

“You might as well stop getting ready,” he said. “You’re not going.”

“Excuse me?” She put down her makeup, turned on her heel, and stormed into the bedroom to glare at him. “You are here as my bodyguard, not to make demands.”

That comment hurt a little, especially after everything they’d been through so far…especially after spending the entire day together, connecting so well. But he let his growl spike, blocking out any feeble emotions. “Well, I can’t protect you if you insist on walking into danger.”

“Oh, and waltzing into Pyre’s room by ourselves isn’t walking into danger?” she snapped, throwing up her hands in frustration. “Apollo is the last person who would try to kill me.”

“There was just an attempt on your life. I don’t think we should be trusting anyone so easily. Not even someone you think is a friend.”

“Don’t punish me for your paranoia,” she said, and she rushed back into the bathroom to continue her preparations.

There was definitely something wrong. They’d had so much fun today at the farmer’s market, and now she was so…agitated.

Argos stood in the doorway, bending over slightly to fit, leaning his arms against either side. “You’re not going.”

Theora made eye contact with him through the mirror, then quickly looked down at her makeup again. “You’re welcome to come along, if it’ll make you feel better.”

Argos growled, running his hand through his hair. “We don’t know what’s going on outside of our wing. We don’t even know the status of the peace talks. What do you think going to him now is going to accomplish?”

Theora spun around to glare at him. “How dare you question my judgment.”

“What does he want from you, Theora? Have you ever thought that marrying you might just be a stepping stone for him to gain power?”

“He doesn’t crave power,” she said, her voice on edge from annoyance or impatience. “He loves me.”

“He doesn’t love you. Don’t you see? He’s using you.”