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