Page 99 of The Queen’s Bodyguard

“Well,” said a familiar voice, and Theora felt like she might cry from relief at that single word, “that’s the last time I let you handle peace negotiations without me.”

Theora turned quickly, seeing Boada walk in with Apollo at her side. She charged into the older woman, wrapping her arms around her as if she would never let go.

“How did you know?” Theora asked.

“Argos and Apollo both called me. Between those two I was able to figure it out.”

She broke the hug, looking Theora over carefully. Meanwhile, all Theora wanted was to hug Boada again. As her mother, and nothing else.

Because she was her mother. She had to be. There was no other explanation.

Boada put her arm around Theora, leading her away from the carnage. “You okay, kiddo? You look like you need a strong drink.”

“Who’s my father?” she asked, as if she might never be able to ask again, the idea of calling Boada her proper title at the tip of her tongue. If only just to let her know that she knew. That she loved her more because of it.

Boada paused, but there was no uncertainty in her eyes. Simply caution. They both knew that Theora’s rule could be a bit rocky going forward if it was revealed she wasn’t a full Aranean. “He was a Warrior, like your husband,” she said. She touched Theora’s cheek fondly. “And he would’ve been so proud to call you his daughter.”

Chapter 28

Argos

With Venita in custody and the peace talks settled—between Theora and Pyre, in their authority as queens rather than with a mediator—Theora and Argos headed home. On their way, Pyre invited them to stop at a Vespulan medical facility to get Argos’s arm in working order. And then Pyre sent him home with a bandaged arm, a box of tea…and depression.

Theora hadn’t mentioned anything about their mission since they’d left Lasius. Nothing about sending him back to the barracks. Nothing about letting him stay…

But then, why would she? He had done his job. The peace talks were over.

Clearly, there was nothing left to say.

As soon as he got home, he went straight to Boada to report on his mission. Might as well get it over with.

“How are you feeling?” Boada asked as he entered the office. As if Theora had already called and told her everything, but she just wanted to hear it from him.

Tired. In pain…heartbroken. “Rather not answer that,” he mumbled.

“You’ll heal up soon. Vespulan medicine never disappoints.” Boada watched him for a moment, and he wanted to melt farther into his chair. “Or did something go sour with Theora?”

“Nothing went sour. My mission is finished.”

“Mmm-hmm…” Boada looked at him from over her glasses. “Have you told her how you feel yet?”

Argos scoffed. “I’m not the right sort of man for a queen.”

“I don’t know,” said Boada with the slightest grin. “You’re all she talks about—even when the conversation isn’t about you.”

Argos scoffed. “Apollo was all she talked about for the past week.”

“That’s because she hadn’t seen him in a year. Apollo is a sweet boy, but not for her.”

“Try telling her that.”

Boada paused. “You know, Theora’s granted him a position as an international relations ambassador. He’ll be leaving for Vespula in a few days.”

Argos looked up at his handler quickly, though he tried not to show his hope. “Why would she do that?”

Boada pulled a romance novel from the shelf and settled into her office chair, opening it up to her bookmarked page. “Take a wild guess.”

Chapter 29