by S. L. Morgan
Reece started the process of changing their impatient daughter’s diaper. “Yes,” she said absently. “It’s the blanket that you treasured most, and so will she.”
When they entered the large sitting room, Reece’s heart swelled with happiness when she saw the family sipping wine and tea, waiting patiently for their arrival.
“Reece, darling.” Allestaine was the first to approach. “You look radiant. I trust you are recovering as swiftly as Doctor Fletcher advised us you would?”
“I feel perfect in every way.” Reece kissed Marian’s forehead. “She is such a dream.”
“Here comes all of the baby talk,” Harrison called out from across the room.
“There’s nothing wrong with that,” Lizzy said.
Levi brought his arm around Reece. “Reece and I would like to thank each and every one of you for all of your support during this time. We both are happy to announce and introduce to you all, our daughter, Marian Elisia Oxley.”
A kiss to Marian’s forehead and Reece gracefully handed her to Lady Allestaine. “Thank you for caring for her and me while I was out.”
Lady Allestaine reached her hand up to Reece’s cheek. “My sweet daughter, you must already know that you have no need to thank me. I would have had it no other way.” Lady Allestaine looked down at Marian, with a very enchanted Emperor Navarre standing at her side. Together, they smiled as they gazed at the sleeping infant. “She does look so much like Levi,” Allestaine said as she absently rocked her side to side.
“I know.” Reece laughed. “The only gene I think she grabbed from me was the emerald eyes when I have the power of the stone. Her hair is so black.” Reece laughed.
“Don’t be so certain it will stay that way.” Navarre smiled at Reece. “Lizzy had the same dark hair, and over time it lightened into a natural blonde.”
“Allow me to get Reece comfortable, and I will go inform the servants to prepare dinner for this evening.” He turned to Reece. “I will send for some refreshments for you. Is there anything, in particular, I can get for you?”
Being so taken with Marian, Reece hadn’t once thought about eating or drinking anything. She licked her dry lips. “I’ll take some ice cold water, and possibly some sandwich squares and fruit.”
Levi guided her across the room to her favorite oversized chair next to the warm flames of the fireplace. Once seated, he draped a soft blanket over her legs. “I’ll return in a moment.”
“Do you really think you need to treat me like I’ve aged fifty years?” She laughed as she looked up into his sparkling, sapphire eyes.
Levi took her hand into his and kissed it. “I have orders from Doctor Fletcher that even though you are healthy, you must rest as much as possible.” He turned to leave. “So yes, I believe I will treat you in every way I know will be comfortable for you.”
“Levi, do go find a servant, you are making me nauseated,” Harrison spoke out, prompting Angeline to give him a glare.
Levi turned back at the entry way and shot Harrison the same look as Angeline. “I do long for the day when you first become a father. You shall be just as protective of your wife and child as I.”
Harrison took a sip of his wine. “Perhaps, yes, but an old sap such as yourself? No.”
“Harry, do calm down, or Levi will have us sent away from the house, and we shall never meet Marian.”
Levi folded his arms and leaned against the doorway. He smiled at Angeline. “You never need to worry about such things, Angie. Of course, you may always stay. Harrison, on the other hand, can spend the evening out with the horses, or better than that, he can stay in Mozart’s habitat.”
Reece watched in amusement as Lady Allestaine smartly crossed the room, walking directly toward Harrison. Harrison barely had enough time to place his glass of wine aside and gather the infant in his arms when the empress determinedly handed her to him. Everyone watched as Harrison’s expression change drastically.
“She is so small,” he said with some fear in his eyes. “I am afraid I might…” Harrison stopped himself, looked at Marian, then to Angeline, and back to the sleeping infant. “A true talent. Even as she sleeps, she has found a way to steal my heart.”
Reece looked up as Angeline approached Harrison’s side and ran a hand under his arm holding Marian and her other around his back.
“My darling husband,” Angeline said as she admired Marian with a smile. “She indeed is the most precious child my eyes have ever beheld.”
“Marian. What an excellent name!” Harrison chuckled and beamed at Levi. “I must admit, you did an excellent job, Robin Hood!” he laughed.
Levi’s eyebrow arched. “Are you really going to bring that whole scenario up again?”
Harrison started to slowly rock Marian back and forth as he continued to stare into her eyes. “How could I not? You named your child after one of the most talented leading ladies whom I have ever read about.”
“Don’t flatter yourself, Harry,” Angeline said as Harrison gently placed Marian into his wife’s arms. Angeline cradled her and gave her a soft kiss on her forehead. “Don’t listen to your Uncle Harry. We all know you were not named after his first crush, Maid Marian.”
Levi laughed along with Reece and everyone else in the room. “This is true,” Levi said.
Harrison eyed Levi. “Fine, so she was named after Reece’s mother, but I will always believe it to be—”
“From where is all of this Robin Hood nonsense coming from?” Navarre interjected after a sip of wine.
Harrison grinned. “Ask your closest friend, King Hamilton. He served to be an excellent Friar Tuck in that other galaxy.”
Navarre covered his mouth, trying to refrain from choking on the sip of wine he had just taken.
“Yes,” Levi answered. “Perhaps I could go up into Marian’s room and grab the picture book that you so kindly gifted to Marian and have you read for all of us tonight. I’m sure Marian would love to hear about the adventures of Robin Hood.”
“You must admit, that was the most profound gift she could have received,” Harrison shot back.
“Oh, indeed. It far outweighs the jewels and priceless outfits that were gifted to her.”
Reece laughed aloud as Angeline glared up at Harrison. “Don’t you dare tell me that you sent only that book to the garden party and failed to bring the rest of our gifts. I specifically—”
“Angie,” Reece interrupted. “Yes, we have his favorite book, oddly signed by him as if he were the author.” She laughed again. “But rest assured, we received your other gifts, and we are overly grateful for them. You both were too generous.”
Angeline sighed in relief and looked over at Levi with a cheeky grin. “I think you have a wonderful idea. If it isn’t much trouble, bring down the book that Harry so graciously gifted to Marian. I, for one, would love to be entertained with Harrison reading to all of us tonight.”
“Angie,” Harrison said in a low voice.
“Done!” Levi answered. “Now, if all of you will please excuse me, I will arrange for the servants to prepare dinner. While we wait, Harrison can entertain us with the lovely adventures of Robin Hood.”
The evening passed, and everyone enjoyed the presence of Marian. Harrison read his favorite book and was hardly able to get through it with the room erupting into laughter more than once. It served for a great start to all of their lives together with Levi and Reece’s new, precious daughter now joining them.
Levi and Reece retired early. Marian was demanding nourishment every two hours, and it had Reece tiring. But more than that, she wanted to spend the rest of the evening alone with her personal family. Their lives felt more complete than ever, and Reece began to wonder how they had ever been so content in their lives before Marian was brought into it. Everything was perfect, and Reece felt the warmth of love and complete happiness radiating through her entire body. Levi curled up around her, and she settled further into his chest.
“I can’t close my eyes,” Reece la
ughed as she gazed into the cradle at the side of her bed. “I could watch her sleep peacefully like this all night.”
Levi squeezed her. “You know what they say: it is wise to sleep when the baby sleeps.”
“True.” Reece yawned. “I’m pretty sure she’ll be up in an hour or so.”
“Sleep well, my love. It’s been quite a long and thrilling day.”
Reece finally let her eyelids close and embraced the serenity of allowing her mind to drift off into a blissful slumber.
Chapter Fifteen
Reece woke to soft grunting noises coming from the small bassinet at the side of her bed. Like clockwork, Marian was demanding food every two hours. A small lamp lit the room, making it easy for Reece to reach over to the bassinet that Levi positioned for her to retrieve their daughter from. She gently pulled Marian into bed and reclined on her side with Marian facing her. Without hesitation, Marian latched onto her mother and peacefully started nursing.
“I wonder if we finally have exhausted your father,” Reece whispered as she traced along Marian’s tiny, silky soft arm.
“I am fully prepared to change the next diaper,” Levi said drowsily.
Reece smiled at Levi’s immediate response. “You do realize that you don’t have to be so perfect,” she said as she gazed down at Marian, studying their daughter’s face. Levi’s weight shifted on the bed, and Reece knew he was getting up and preparing to change Marian’s diaper, as he had done all throughout the night.
“I’m definitely glad I have the power of that stone in me, or else I don’t think I would get out of bed at all in the morning.”
Levi kissed her shoulder. “You and Marian could stay in bed all day tomorrow if that is your desire.” Levi’s lips turned up against Reece’s shoulder. “Bonding with your daughter is far more important than anything else at this time.”
Reece ran her fingers through Marian’s silky soft hair. “We’ll be okay. Even though waking up constantly is exhausting, once she starts nursing and I see her precious face, I feel wide awake.”
“I feel the same. She is the most treasured gift I have ever been honored to receive, and I enjoy being reminded that she is with us now.”
The days ahead passed pleasantly with their newborn. Although Marian was quite vocal and demanding whenever she wanted to eat, Levi and Reece were so captivated by her that none of it bothered either one of them.
As they spent the afternoon strolling Marian in her carriage along the grounds of their estate, Reece leaned into Levi. “What do you think about introducing Marian to Pasidian Palace?”
“Now that the announcements have been made and all of the kingdoms are aware that they have been honored with a new princess, I think that would be a lovely idea.” He took a hand off of the carriage handle and brought it around Reece. “Are you feeling rested enough to visit Pasidian? I believe the Hamiltons are there, and possibly my uncle and aunt.”
“I feel great, and I think Marian should meet the other half of her family.”
“Very well,” Levi said, looking into the carriage where Marian slept soundly. “Get ready, sweet gem, you are about to be attacked by women desperately wanting to hold and adore you.”
They arrived at the palace before nightfall, and as Levi predicted, Marian was the center of attention. The only time Reece had alone with their daughter was when Marian demanded to be fed. Levi dismissed himself with the men and spent most of his time in the command center. Marian was an excellent distraction for him, and Reece firmly believed she helped ease Levi’s mind about pursuing Mordegrin. But now she couldn’t help having an unsettling feeling in her stomach. Something felt entirely off to her, and she couldn’t place what the issue was.
Levi walked into the private sitting room where she sat quietly in a chair, nursing Marian. “If I were to guess, I would imagine that you and our daughter are most likely ready to return to our home,” he said as he ran his hand through Reece’s hair and kissed Marian’s head.
Reece encouraged Marian to pull away to burp her and finish her feeding. Levi took the cloth from Reece’s shoulder and brought Marian into his arms. “Allow me to be of assistance,” he said as he brought Marian to his own shoulder and began massaging her back.
“Perfectly fine with me, for some reason you work magic when you burp her.” Reece looked out of the windows and became overwhelmed with an oppressive feeling.
“Is something bothering you?” Levi questioned.
“How are things going with Mordegrin?” She stood and faced Levi. “Things are still silent, aren’t they?”
“Yes,” Levi returned. “Why do you ask?”
Reece rubbed her forehead. “Call me weird, but something doesn’t feel right. Would it be okay if we stayed at the palace for the evening?”
“Is this your intuition?”
“I want to say no, because I don’t want to believe that anything bad is going to happen, but I just can’t shake this odd feeling I started having.”
“How long have you been feeling like this?”
“I don’t know, maybe a few hours?”
“If there is one thing we do not take lightly any longer, it is your intuition. If you are feeling unsettled, we will stay. If you are comfortable, I will return to the command center and inform my father and Harrison that we must be vigilant right now. Perhaps we can get ahead of Mordegrin and finally capture that beast.”
“Will you just inform them that something feels wrong? I’d rather have you close right now.”
Levi cocked his head to the side. “Very well. Are you fearful of something happening to me again?”
“No. I just don’t feel right, and I can’t explain it.”
Levi handed Marian to Reece. “Allow me to inform Harrison and my father of your feelings, and I will dismiss us for the evening so that you can relax and hopefully overcome this odd sensation you are experiencing.” Levi turned to leave and stopped to look back. “Oh, perhaps this will help take your mind off these negative feelings. I believe tomorrow may be a perfect time for you to start interviewing caregivers for Marian.”
“I don’t even want to think of anyone else watching over her, much less think about leaving Marian for a second.”
“Reece, the time is nearing where we must start making serious plans to capture and destroy that evil being.”
Reece sighed. “What if that’s what this is all about? What if it is you and I am about to lose you again?” She walked toward Levi. “You can’t do this mission. Please, not now. Mordegrin hasn’t done anything for a long time. For all we know, he gave up trying to find the stone and—”
“The fact that he has gone completely off the grid raises more suspicion than ever. We must search for and stop him at any cost.”
Reece felt tears pooling in her eyes as she glanced down at Marian and back to Levi. “I know that you long to have your revenge on him, but let me and the baby be more important right now, please. Is there any possible way that you can train our warriors to help you feel as though you are guarding Earth?”
Levi smiled sympathetically at her. “Unless something arises with Mordegrin, I will hold off on our plans to personally find him for now. Does that ease your mind?”
Reece’s lips twisted. “Nothing eases my mind at the moment.”
Marian began squirming in Reece’s arms and let out a wail, bringing Reece and Levi’s attention to her. “Perhaps helping Marian calm down will take your mind off things for now.”
She kissed Levi. “Hurry back.”
Levi returned within the hour with servants bringing in trays of fresh fruit, water, and hot tea. Reece’s thirst seemed to never quench now that she was breastfeeding Marian. Levi walked over to where Reece sat on the couch, gently rocking Marian’s cradle with her toe.
“If you continue to spoil her in such a way, I fear she will require this attention whenever she sleeps,” he said as he handed her a tall glass of cold water.
Reece practically gulped the entire glass before
Levi could sit next to her. He leaned forward and reached for the silver pitcher he had placed on the table in front of them. “Are you still feeling unsettled?”
Reece took a sip of her freshly poured water. “Yes,” she looked at Levi. “Please tell me that you didn’t go behind my back and plan something?”
Levi frowned. “Why would I—” He stopped himself, and his eyes widened as he looked past Reece and toward the windows. “What?” he whispered as he slowly stood.
An eerie red glow filled the entire room when Reece looked over at the windows with the same concern as Levi. “Are red skies typical in Pemdas?” she asked as she studied the menacing sky.
Levi turned. “No,” he said gravely. “I must get to the command center now. Something is not right with our atmosphere.” He looked back at Reece. “I will send for my mother and will return for you as soon as we know what is going on.”
Reece wanted desperately to go with him but felt an overwhelming burden to protect Marian. Lady Allestaine, Elizabeth, Angeline, and Queen Hamilton joined Reece in the sitting area of their room. Lady Allestaine, as usual, was a picture of strength and positivity for all the women as they waited for what seemed like hours for one of the men to return and inform them about what was going on.
“Where are they?” Reece stood, silencing the room.
“Reece, darling,” Allestaine started while still cradling Marian. “I know this is trying on your nerves, it is ours as well. As long as the men are gone, we must remain confident that they are on top of this situation.”
As soon as Lady Allestaine finished her statement, Navarre entered the room with King Hamilton, Levi and Harrison trailing close behind. Harrison was dressed in a dark three-piece suit, while Levi was dressed in all black combat attire.
What? Reece thought about the transformed images of the men. Levi’s eyes met Reece’s, and a jolt of energy shot down her spine when she saw the warrior approaching her.
“I must request a private conversation with you,” he formally said as he took her hand, leading her into the private library of their room at Pasidian Palace.
