The Reckoning

by S. L. Morgan

  As the women erupted into a joyful conversation about the news of Elizabeth and Caleb courting each other, Levi sat unmoved, watching everything transpire around him. A glass of wine being offered over his shoulder from Harrison snapped Levi out of his state of bewilderment. A quick kiss to Reece’s ear and he informed her he and Harrison would return to the room quickly.

  Reece laughed in response and grabbed his hand before he stood. She leaned over, “It looks like we have something to distract you from your little suicide mission for the time being,” she whispered.

  Levi arched a brow, forcing a laugh out of Reece, then stood and followed Harrison out of the room.

  “Levi!” Elizabeth called out, forcing Harrison and Levi to stop and acknowledge his sister’s swift approach.

  Levi rubbed his forehead. Not now, Levi thought, annoyed that his sister was about to open up a conversation Levi didn't want to have at the moment. The silly smile on Harrison’s face wasn’t helping his current state.

  “Elizabeth, please forgive us. Harrison and I must go over some details—”

  “Brother, do you honestly think I am foolish enough to believe that?”

  Levi sighed and crossed his arms. “Go on, then. What is it you need?”

  For the first time in his life, he saw his little sister transform into a young woman brimming with confidence which, surprisingly, resembled his mother. “I know this is sudden, but I am afraid that Caleb and I can no longer keep our feelings for each other from everyone.”

  “Yeah, that’s pretty obvious.” Harrison laughed. “I do hope that your mother and father had word of this astounding news before tonight.”

  “Of course they did, and father had no reservations about our feelings toward one another,” Elizabeth responded in an authoritative tone. She looked at Levi. “I love you dearly, brother, and it is my greatest hope that you can accept Caleb.”

  “Lizzy, it is not that I do not care for Mr. Evans.” Levi paused, shuffling his thoughts. He frowned. “A Guardian warrior? This is what you seek for your future?”

  “I know exactly what his duties are, and I am honored to find love with such a brave man. What did you expect of me?” Her eyes widened. “To marry the next intended king of some kingdom?”

  “That is precisely what I expected,” Levi lashed out.

  “Like you and Isabelle?” she responded sternly.

  Memories of her behavior during his memory loss sent a wave of disgust through Levi’s body.

  “She is correct, my friend,” Harrison responded in humor. “We all had the lovely opportunity of witnessing that part of your life all over again.”

  “Lizzy, I only want you to find happiness. Having a Guardian in your life, especially now, is not wise. Caleb is a brave young man. He rescued Reece from the fortress, and I will always be indebted to him for that.”

  “Then give him a chance. He’s already proven he is as brave as you and Harrison.”

  “That is what concerns me, Lizzy.” Levi rubbed the back of his neck, his head pounding. “Do you really wish to be informed by Harrison that Caleb did not survive an attack?”

  “Where is this coming from?” Lizzy softly asked. “Why would you allow yourself to fall in love with Reece? Why would you even consider ever serving on Earth again, knowing that you have a child on the way?”

  Or plan a ridiculous suicide mission to capture Mordegrin? Harrison telepathically told Levi.

  Now is not the time for you to intrude into my mind, Harrison.

  “You fell in love with Reece, and now you are afraid of the worst for her. You are afraid of that for me, is that not what this is about?” Elizabeth said.

  Levi remained silent. She was correct. Right now, every Guardian, including Levi, was at a grave disadvantage in capturing Mordegrin. Not only would Reece fall victim to losing him again, but now his sister could face the same brutal heartbreak.

  He let out a breath. “Yes,” he finally answered, “I am deeply concerned for every Guardian and their wives and families at this time. I did not believe I should have to be concerned for you as well.”

  Unexpectedly, Elizabeth smiled. “I simply cannot turn off my feelings for him. When I got news while residing at their estate that you had fallen severely ill, I was grief-stricken. After suffering through the loss of Father, the thought of losing you was unbearable. I couldn’t think straight, and it was only through Caleb’s support and encouragement that I managed through it.”

  “Forgive me. I did not realize I had caused you so much pain,” Levi returned. “You are truly in love with this young man?”

  “Just as Reece is with you, and Angie is with Harrison.”

  “Well, it appears all of you ladies can start a support group if Levi’s negative views of being the wife of a Guardian are correct,” Harrison interjected.

  Levi rolled his eyes. “Lizzy, you have my blessing even though you do not need it.”

  “And Caleb?”

  “I will offer him my congratulations for stealing the heart of Pemdas’ finest young woman.”

  As Elizabeth impulsively embraced her brother, she said, “It delights me so that you approve, Levi.”

  Harrison chuckled as Elizabeth excitedly hugged him too. “I am glad you approve as well, Harry.”

  Harrison stepped back. “I never said I approved.” He grinned as he drew Elizabeth’s arm into his. “So it appears I must demote Caleb to serving as Vincent’s assistant and retrieving my tea every morning.”

  “Cousin, you wouldn’t dare.”

  “Indeed, I would. Levi is correct. We will not watch you shed tears over that boy meeting his demise.”

  “And destroy his dream of serving on Earth?”

  “Better than destroying your life, is it not?” Harrison stated.

  Elizabeth had stopped their walk before they entered the room. She eyed both men, forcing Levi to refrain from laughter. “I beg of you, please—”

  “Oh, Lizzy, relax! I am teasing you. Caleb is proving to be one of the best Guardians that I command. He’s not going anywhere.”

  As they re-entered the room, they found Caleb in a lively conversation with Reece, Angeline, and Tomas. Levi didn’t fail to notice Isabelle sulking in her chair, watching everyone in their energetic moods.

  She is my next conversation! Levi thought after Elizabeth reminded him of her.

  He strode over to where Harrison was handing Caleb a glass of wine and congratulating him. When Levi approached, Reece watched him with a hopeful smile. Caleb swallowed hard before Levi broke his somber expression and reached for his hand.

  “I must congratulate you on your attachment to my sister.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  Levi grinned. “No need to be so formal, but you must promise me one thing.”

  “Anything, Your Highness.”

  “You will not foolishly get yourself killed as we continue to search for Mordegrin.”

  “You have my word.”

  “Then it is settled!” Harrison called out. “Romance is in the air tonight. Here is to the happiness and future of our young lovebirds, Lizzy and Caleb!” Harrison said while raising his glass to meet all the others. With a soft chime, the group reverted back to their casual conversation, and Levi used this moment to sneak Reece out of the room with him and led her into a dark sitting room.

  “Can you believe it?” Reece said as she wrapped her arms around Levi.

  Levi took her face in his hands and gently kissed her lips. “I promise that whatever we do to capture Mordegrin, I will not put myself in harm’s way. As long as the man is not a threat to Earth, I have no business trying to find him at this time.”

  Reece gently caressed his cheek. “Are you sure you can handle that?”

  He ran a hand along her stomach. “Yes. I will eventually have my way with that man, but for now, you and I have been through too much. I will not leave your side until months after our child is born. We will start our lives together as an ordinary family, and I wi
ll continue to take leave from Earth until you are comfortable with my return.”

  “I love you so much. You have no idea what a relief it is to hear you say that.”

  After another loving kiss, Levi rose up. “I want you to go enjoy the news and conversation with the ladies. I believe there is one last thing I must lay to rest in light of our moving forward.”

  Reece took Levi’s offered arm. “Oh?”

  “Isabelle,” he said flatly.

  “Levi, I had words with her about everything she did.”

  Levi stopped and sighed. “I have not. That evening was not the only time she approached me. She approached me when I was alone soon after I woke. The words she told me that night must be addressed. If this means Isabelle never returns to the palace out of humiliation, so be it.”

  “That bad?” Reece answered.

  “She is obviously not over it. She has done nothing but sit with a pitiful look on her face all evening. I feel sorry for Tomas, but she is soon to be his problem because, after tonight, I wash my hands of that woman forever.”

  As they strolled out of the room together, Reece softly spoke up. “I’ll admit, I never thought Isabelle was capable of that. I knew you had a relationship, but she’s a married woman now.”

  “And so you have witnessed even further that the Pemdai are not all as proper as they appear.”

  Reece laughed. “That is true. Are you sure you want to do this?”

  “I need to ensure that the woman knows I hold no feelings for her whatsoever. I will feel much better dealing with her now that I am in my right mind.”

  Once they returned to the room, Levi and Reece walked over to the sofas where the group sat around a cheerful Elizabeth and Caleb who proudly had his arm wrapped securely around his sister’s shoulders.

  They are only courting, Levi inwardly reminded himself.

  It felt as if it were yesterday that her tiny fingers were gripping his as he helped guide her in her first days of walking, and now she was a grown woman, and he would have to accept that his sister would eventually leave the palace and start a family of her own.

  Levi poured a glass of wine and gulped it down as if it were water. Everything about this so-called celebration was oddly turning into a nightmare for him, and all he desired was to be alone in Reece’s company.

  Let us get this over with, he thought as he turned and walked over to where Isabelle sat, clearly isolating herself from the group.

  Tomas was in conversation with Harrison and Caleb, so if there was a good time to deal with the woman, it was now.

  “Isabelle,” Levi called out as he approached.

  Her head snapped up as her sorrowful visage gazed up at his commanding one. “Yes, Levi? Forgive me, but I am not feeling like myself this evening. I must say that I am thrilled to see that you are healthy again.”

  Yeah, you look it! “Thank you. Allow me to escort you on a walk outdoors. Perhaps a change of scenery will help ease your nerves.”

  Isabelle stood, and Levi offered his arm. He led her over to where her husband was, requesting a private audience with Isabelle. Sickened, Levi’s request was granted by the pleasant and trusting man that Tomas was.

  Once out of the palace, Levi gently removed Isabelle’s clenched hand from the inside of his arm. The gesture forced her to stop and look at him with uncertainty.

  “Isabelle, please sit,” Levi requested, motioning toward a stone bench that surrounded the large fountain at the entrance of the gardens.

  She did and smiled warmly up at him. “All evening, I was hoping you would take a moment to speak with me alone. I must admit, you seemed quite upset earlier witnessing that Lizzy and Mr. Evans are now courting.”

  “Initially, I took issue with it, yes.”

  “And now?”

  “It brought to mind the reasons I am requesting this private conversation with you.” Levi ran a hand through his hair. “My concerns for Lizzy were absurd. I absentmindedly wanted more for her. The daughter of the emperor should make the best possible match, of course, as should the future emperor. That is why I chose to court you. I believed it would make my father and the realm happy.” Levi watched as tears began to pool in Isabelle’s eyes, but he went on. “I trust that you have not been made aware that I have every memory of what you did while I suffered memory loss due to Mordegrin’s attack on my mental state.”

  “Levi, I was an emotional wreck. Knowing that you believed me to be yours again—”

  “Enough,” Levi cut her off. “Your actions were beyond selfish, and I cannot believe that a woman of your nature would have thought it was okay to take advantage of mine and Reece’s ill-fated situation.”

  “That was not my intention.” She sniffed.

  “Not your intention? Please enlighten me, Isabelle, as I remember you saying that if only you had waited, I would be yours again. I watched you cringe with jealousy when you learned that Reece was carrying our child, and even worse, to believe I was yours to kiss at the celebration party.”

  “If I could take every bit of it back, I would. I adore Reece and never wished to cause her pain.”

  Levi’s brows knit together with disgust. “Isabelle, my wife pities you. More than that, she pities your husband, as do I.” He shifted in his seat. “Have you even had the courage to tell him that his wife is not as wholly committed to him as he believes her to be?”

  Isabelle’s face grew pale. “No. I am also most grateful that Reece kept this situation between her and me, as I am trying to change my—”

  “Isabelle, there is no need to go on. I am only here to inform you that you need to move on. I will not sit in a room with a woman who sulks over the relationship of others. Reece is the only love of my entire life, and she carries the most treasured gift I could ask for within her. I was never in love with you. I courted you out of duty to my position in this world, and that is why I will not tell my sister who she can and cannot love.” Levi stood. “I cannot advise you on what you should do in this situation with Tomas, but I can advise you on this: if you cannot accept my wife or the children we will have, I will not allow you in our presence. The last woman that took issue with Reece over jealousy tried to have her killed. I trust no one who takes issue of my relationship with her.”

  Isabelle stood, eyes wide. “How dare you compare me to that spiteful woman!”

  Levi’s eyes narrowed. “It is difficult not to because you are acting as she did. Change your outlook immediately, or find a way to leave the palace.”

  Isabelle gathered her dress. “I am acutely aware of your love for Reece. I ask that you forgive my weakness and advances toward you. Tomas is my husband, and you can rest easy knowing that I will no longer harbor feelings for you.”

  “Then we are finished, and we have reached a perfect understanding?”

  “Indeed,” she answered darkly.

  Levi gestured toward the palace steps. “Let us return to the festivities. I am quite confident that Lizzy would appreciate your happiness for her and Caleb.”

  With that, Isabelle strode briskly in front of Levi toward the sitting room. Reece discreetly watched them re-enter and smiled warmly at Levi when he took his seat next to her. He wrapped his arm tightly around his wife. The last of the bizarre behavior he possessed while he suffered memory loss was now behind him. He gently pressed his lips to the side of Reece’s head, absorbing her fragrance and longing to be leaving the palace to have her alone and only to himself again.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Days had passed, and Levi spent most of his time caring for Reece and making it his priority to refrain from going to the command center, as it seemed to heighten the night terrors that were tormenting him. Reece had no idea, and he wouldn’t cause her unneeded stress by telling her about them. He used the anger and rage that the dreams built within him to fuel his plot of revenge for Mordegrin. Galleta did work with him, and by heeding her advice and staying away from the command center, the night terrors were now manageable, and Levi wa
s beginning to find peace again.

  Reece woke and turned to see if Levi was in bed, but what she found in his place was an intricately crafted cradle sitting where he once slept. She sat up and laughed when she saw a stuffed zorflak positioned on Levi’s yellow blanket. She reached for the stuffed toy, and she was startled when it began humming a soothing sound as its ears glimmered in an array of different colors identical to Mozart’s.

  Reece held the toy to her chest and laughed aloud when a soft vibration came from it, and the humming changed tones into a soft purr. “Of all the things—”

  “Perhaps we can rid ourselves of Mozart’s melodies now and enjoy that fellow instead,” Levi said as he entered the room, fully dressed and prepared for the day.

  “How did you ever manage—” Her brow creased when she looked at the toy and back to Levi. “I think a better question is why would you even consider having something like this made, given the way Mozart drives you insane?”

  Levi sat on the side of the bed with a small plate of berries and offered one to Reece. “I had this critter fashioned for our child as a toy that should soothe it if the baby should wake up and feel frightened in any way.” He pressed the toy zorflak’s nose, silencing it. “And unlike Mozart, you can silence it at will. Pressing the nose simply shuts the entire unit off. If you choose to continue listening to it, it will silence after a few moments of non-movement or noise.”

  “Don’t you have it all figured out,” Reece said as she took another offered piece of fruit from Levi.

  “So you approve?”

  Reece swallowed her bite. “Of course I do. I think our child will love it. It is absolutely adorable.”

  Levi grinned. “Perfect. I shall have Mozart sent away—”

  “You wouldn’t dare.”

  Levi pursed his lips. “You are correct. Perhaps I should have him auctioned off to the highest bidder. I assure you, all the funds will be personally donated to the charity of your choice.”