"We will allow her voice," Dracul says. "These are strange times and unusual circumstances."
Marathe fumes and opens her mouth to say something more but then she snaps it shut. I hear Logan chuckle behind me and the corners of my mouth tremble as I resist the urge to laugh along with him. Yes you bitch, hear what I have to say.
"Council. Esteemed Peers. These are indeed strange times. We listen to stories from the dawn of time. Fables or fairy tales but in so doing I believe it is important that we examine and discuss history in full."
"Yes, yes," Narissa says. "Do you have a point?"
I lock eyes with her and smile. "Indeed I do. Let me make it more plainly. I have been having discussions with my fellow Queens-"
"She is NOT a Queen!" Marathe says jumping to her feet and pointing an accusing finger.
"I stand corrected, with some of the sitting Queens. Specifically we have discussed, and I believe there is a consensus that stems from the oldest of our history, so old in fact as to be almost mythical. That consensus revolves around what makes a Dragon Queen?"
"She wastes our time. We all know what makes a Queen!" Marathe interjects again but this time I ignore her.
"It's much more than the ability to give birth to shifter children. If that was the only requirement than there are many of our lines and Clans that could fill the role but they don't."
Archer's hand remains at the small of my back. He begins tracing a small circle with one finger. Calm and supporting. I draw strength from him.
"A Queen is the Heart of her people," I say.
As I speak the allied Queens again lean in and whisper to their husbands. Nephetitia catches my eye and smiles. The others nod as I continue.
"When our men go off to war, we're the ones who are home. We're the ones who make sure the needs of our people are met. Needs, not just of the body, but of the soul. When our people grieve, we grieve. When one of our Clan is lost, it's like we lose a child of our own loins," I choke up and have to stop. Elise.
Tears fill my eyes and I can't look directly at Marathe. I take a moment to regain my composure.
"A Queen knows loss. She grieves with her people and for them. It falls to us. My King-"
"Mateas is King! Not him!" Marathe yells.
"MY King," I emphasize the first word. "Has presented to you evidence."
"He has presented accusations!" Mance yells.
"Evidence of a plot to awaken the Ancients. The Founders of our Clans. There's one piece of evidence that he hasn't presented to this Council. The Prophecy of Return says clearly that a female shifter will walk with the Ancients. Some assume this means they will awake and that a new age will dawn for our kind.
I'm not here to debate or discuss prophecy. I ask that you indulge me when I bring forth further evidence for your examination that the accusations leveled by my husband are accurate."
I turn and look back at Logan who is already standing by the door. He swings it open and the two White women walk in freely, though they both hang their heads. Most in the room gasp at the sight for they do appear to be female shifters in a half shifted form. Scales are on their exposed skin, they have draconic features and spikes for hair. They move to stand to either side of me.
"I present to this Council as evidence of our accusations Melissa and Theresa. Formerly of Clan White. Due to atrocities committed against them, I and my King have extended our protection."
The Council erupts into chaos. Yelling and screaming. Dracul sits impassive letting them argue until at last he slams down his gavel. He says nothing but strikes it again and the Council members resume their seats.
"This is startling evidence you present," Dracul says. "Ladies. How is it you come to have the appearance of the ability to shift?"
Melissa cowers, her shoulders slumping even further, but Theresa stands up straighter and meets Dracul's eyes.
"Our Queen, the one whom was our heart, did this to us through her magic. We were changed physically and mentally to believe that we were born this way."
"This is all an elaborate ploy by Archer and his compatriots-" Narissa yells.
"A joke, no one can take this-" Marathe yells.
"Enough!" Dracul says raising his voice for the first time I can recall. "Evidence has been presented. Archer state your request of this Council so a vote may be called."
Archer steps one step in front of me and I gather the two women to my side.
"Council. I ask that my throne be restored. Further I ask that White be censured for their plot to awaken an Ancient. That the marks of binding be removed from myself and my man Logan. Lastly, as part of the same motion, I ask that Marathe and my bastard child Mateas be turned over to me for punishment as I deem fit."
"The motion is made, Council a vote is in order."
"White."
"No!"
"Green."
"Ridiculous, no."
"Blue."
"Yes."
"Black."
Nephetitia watches her husband who sits silent for a long moment before nodding. "Yes."
"Silver."
"Wise are those who listen when their heart speaks. Yes."
"Gold."
"No!" Marathe screams spitting.
"A tie. Red will vote."
Dracul sits back in his chair pulling at his chin and staring at me. Anastasia sits next to him impassive. My heart pounds in my chest. Right now, on this single vote, we win or lose.
"Red votes yes. Take Marathe into custody to be delivered to Gold."
He slams the gavel down as Marathe screams and leaps over the table. Her hands are outstretched and starting to glow as she flies through the air at me.
I cringe. I know what's coming.
We are only days from my birthday. It's going to happen if the cycle isn't broken. Marathe is going to kill me now.
An ache clasps my chest as everyone around me moves in slow motion but it isn't for me that I feel sad but the fluttering heartbeat growing in my womb that will never know life.
Purple bolts shoot past my head and then everything starts to move in normal time again. Remy moves into view as his magic creates purple bindings that negate Marathe's magic.
I draw in a shuddering breath then Archer and Logan are both here and I'm wrapped between the two of them, safe.
Alive.
Chapter fourteen
Logan
Marathe marches in front of Remy as we head into the portal. We step through back home. The people of Gold Clan stop and stare then they follow us as we march. Word spreads quickly so that by the time we reach the throne most, if not all, of the Clan is gathered.
The room is filled to capacity. Archer and Jenn lead us down the aisle of people towards their thrones. Marathe is behind them, followed by Remy, and I walk at his side. There's a low murmur of voices and the excitement in the air tingles on my skin. Archer holds Jennifer's hand as they ascend. Remy positions himself at the bottom of the dais and I stand on the opposite side of Marathe.
"People of Gold Clan!" Archer's voice rings out carrying easily across the hall. "Your King has returned!"
The room explodes with cheering, hats are thrown in the air, people jump up and down. Tears of joy flow freely as they throw off the yoke of oppression. I watch Marathe. The seething burning hate inside her flows out. There's a sinking feeling in my heart as I look at her. There really is no hope for her. She can't change. I have to wonder, will Archer do what has to be done? Always before he's shied away from a final solution but surely now is the time?
Several pops fill the air then champagne is spraying and the celebrations begin in earnest. The people file past most of them reaching out and touching their King and their Queen. Seeing my opportunity I slide out a side door. There's at least one loose end to tie up and I need to handle it before Archer gets involved.
I move quickly towards Archer's chambers.
I can't imagine that he'd set himself up anywhere else. His pride and arrogance would demand he stay in
what he considered to be the best. As I turn into the hallway I hear a scream so I run drawing my sword.
The door's locked. I hit it with my shoulder but this is the King's chamber and it's not going to give easily. There's a suit of armor standing just down the hall with a halberd so I grab that weapon and go to work on the door. The screams cut off abruptly and I know I'm too late.
The door splinters a piece at a time under my attack but too slow. A blow, then at last there's a hole above the lock but not big enough for me to reach through. I hear his laughter. Maniacal, evil. My gut locks with anger and I hit the door even harder using anger to fuel my motions. Splinters fly from the door then a big chunk rips away under my assault and I can reach through. My hand fumbles for the lock.
"Too late!" Mateas yells as the lock gives.
The door swings open. Mateas stands on the far side of the room by the door to the balcony. At his feet lies a young serving girl. An innocent whose only crime was being in the room when he got the news he lost. Rage consumes me as my vision turns red narrowing down to just him. He's the entire focus of my world and I'm going to end him. Rid the world of the stain he presents.
He backs towards the door still laughing. I roar and charge still holding the halberd. He ducks as I swing, tripping over the curtains of the door. He lands hard on his ass scooting back like a duck. I bring the halberd back up preparing to behead him. I swing it fully intent on taking him out but he rolls to the side and I miss. My hands shake with rage so I throw the halberd to the side and reach for my sword. My scabbard is empty! I'd dropped the sword in the hall.
"Ha!" Mateas laughs. "I win again."
He rolls backwards and I race towards him with my hands outstretched. I'll choke the life out of him. He lands on the balcony but doesn't stop. He jumps to his feet then leaps off. We're underground but the fall from this window is long. I rush to the edge and see him shimmering as he shifts.
I leap off after him calling on my dragon nature and shifting forms as the wind rushes past. My wings pop out catching at the air and I stop with a jarring shake. He speeds ahead of me through the tunnels and I give chase. If he gets enough of a lead and bends space I won't be able to follow him unless I'm directly on his tail.
He banks and turns. He's agile, fast. I pace him but I'm not closing the distance. Ahead I know there's a large cave space and if he's too far ahead of me when he reaches it he'll be able to bend space and I'll lose him. His tail is just beyond my grasp. I strain my neck reaching for it. The space around us opens up. I strain my neck forward just a few inches more! My jaws close on empty space and he's gone.
Damn it!
I bank around and return. Unfortunately, Mateas is free but he'll be hard pressed to find safe haven now that his mother is exposed. I can only hope Archer will do the necessary thing and end her.
Chapter fifteen
Jennifer
"No," I say. "No. We are not her. I won't change my mind on this."
"Jennifer," Logan argues.
"No!" I put all the finality into that one word I can.
Archer traces a pattern with his finger on the table in front of him. This decision weighs heavily. Logan and I have argued back and forth on this for the past hour while Archer sits, listening. The final decision is his but I can't support killing Marathe. There's no justice in that.
"She's right," Archer says at last. "I cannot be a kin-slayer."
Logan slumps back in his chair admitting defeat without a word.
"I understand," I say. "I feel the same desire. After all she's done, after Elise-" Tears threaten again and it takes me moment to continue. "We cannot become that which we fight."
Logan and Archer both nod.
"Remy will have to find a way to restrain her. There is no redemption for her that I can see but maybe that will change in time. For now, she will be imprisoned. Now, to other matters," he reaches out and rests his hands on Logan's and mine. I smile at both of my men as we rise and head for our bedroom.
***
I wake with a start. Something's off.
Awareness floods in as I try to pinpoint what's setting off mental alarms. Archer and Logan's arms are wrapped around me. Did I hear the door? No...
I sit up. Standing at the end of the bed is a woman who's running her fingers up and down the carvings on the corner post of the bed. She's medium height with shoulder length dark hair that hangs loose around her face. She's beautiful in a very classic sense but as she turns to look at me, the left side of her face is marred by three angry scars.
"Good morning," she says like it's the most natural thing in the world for her to be standing in my bedroom.
I pull the covers up to lessen my exposure. Archer and Logan sleep soundly beside me. Maybe I'm dreaming?
"Who are you?" I ask.
"My name is Athene," she says smiling which twists her scars. "We haven't met formally yet, though we have in another time."
Athene. Yes, I remember her. We have met. She's a seer. Remy consults with her as does Archer. I also recall that I don't trust her. She's manipulative and more than once I feel certain she's been behind events that have led Archer and Logan into danger.
"What do you want?" I say my voice low and edging towards a growl.
"I wanted to wish you a Happy Birthday," she says. What? Birthday? But I'm not- "You've made it," she smiles.
"Thank you," I say but I don't feel it. I want this woman out of my bedroom. Out of our lives.
"I know, you don't trust me. I understand. Your path has been hard. It gets easier now."
Archer and Logan stir. Subtly I try to reach over and wake them. Logan sits up rubbing sleep from his eyes then Archer does the same.
"Athene?" Archer asks.
"Good morning to both of you," she says. "I wanted to offer my congratulations in person."
"Congratulations?" Logan asks sleepily.
"You’re going to be fathers," she says looking at my womb.
I wanted to tell them!
"Huh?" Archer says. "Father?"
"Both of you," Athene says. "The pyramid is complete. After all these years, you've broken the cycle. Oh, and of course, I was wishing Jennifer a Happy Birthday."
"Birthday?" Logan asks then he laughs. "Of course! You mean it's over? We've done it?"
"Yes," Athene says her eyes dancing with joy.
"It's true," I add. "Today is my birthday. And I'm pregnant. It's a girl."
"Yes, it is," Athene says and there's something to her tone that I can't put a finger on. The boys don't seem to catch it.
"Thank you," Archer says to Athene.
"I'll leave you to your ... celebrations," Athene says.
She turns, walks towards the door, then disappears. Archer and Logan, now awake, both demand my attention. This is the happiest day of my many, long lives.
Chapter sixteen
Jennifer
*** Eight Months Later ***
"Don't push, not yet," Sarah, my mid-wife says. She looks at one of her attendants. "Get Remy!"
Fear grips my heart. It's going to happen again. Every part of my body urges me to push, to expel the life inside me and I struggle to resist. I close my eyes and breathe short, fast breaths between contractions. Another pain starts, driving out all other thought. As it passes I decide. The life inside of me over mine. There's no other choice.
"No matter what," I gasp to the attendant wiping sweat from my brow. "The baby first. No matter what!"
"My Lady, it won't come to-"
I grab hold of her blouse and pull her down to within an inch of my face. "No matter what!" I growl.
"Yes my Lady," she says blanching.
Remy walks into my vision. He places his dark hands on either side of my forehead and they begin to glow purple. I relax as the magic takes effect. The pain of the contractions is there but it's like it's happening to someone else. Everything becomes easier. I feel her slide out smooth and easily.
The women rush around for a moment then Sar
ah is laying the small body against my breast. A deep breath, one some part of me fears may again be my last, but I look down at my child and none of that matters. She's here, she's safe and she's perfect. Her pink little face is still wrinkled with specks of birthing on her. Her little eyes are pressed tightly shut against the assault of the cold world.
"You are perfect and your mother loves you so much."
She raises her tightly gripped little fists up in front of her face. My heart stops beating then resumes with a thunderous sound. Her fists. They have tiny little gold scales on them. Her eyes flutter open and they are the eyes of a dragon.
Sarah gasps. "It is her," she says with utter reverence in her voice.
"Interesting," Remy says.
The baby blinks twice then her eyes are the deepest, most beautiful, amber brown color I've ever seen with tiny gold flecks. Her skin returns to healthy pink.
Looking into her eyes, I see something more. I know. I know it's her reborn just as her mother has been so many times. We had planned to name her Lisa, but that’s not her name.
"Elise," I say to her. "Your name is Elise. I've missed you so much."
My daughter is the prophecied girl-child. The true female shifter.
I smile. "Your Daddies are going to be so proud."
I kiss her forehead then adjust her so that she can latch on taking her first milk. I look up at Remy just in time to see him wiping a tear from his eye.
"It's okay Remy. Just make sure they care for her until I return."
He looks surprised. "You're not going anywhere. You're absolutely healthy."
We've done it. I realize I'd doubted it until this moment. We've really done it. Everything is going to be perfect.
Bonus Scene
Remy
It wasn't hard to track her down or capture her. Actually it was too easy. She wanted to be found. The chains crackle around her. I dismiss them with a wave then it is just the two of us.
"I don't understand," I say.
Sarissa rises to her feet rubbing at her wrists. Tears stream down her face and she won't look directly at me.
Loving Two Dragons (Awakening Cycle Part 4) (BBW Dragon Shifter Paranormal Romance) Page 6
