The Reckoning

by S. L. Morgan

  Reece knelt down, bringing her eyes to meet the young girl’s gaze. “What is your name?” she asked sweetly.

  “Aria,” she returned with a beaming smile, igniting the vivid blue color of her eyes.

  “You have beautiful eyes, Aria,” she glanced up at Levi. “They are very similar to the emperor’s.”

  Jacinda had to stop this now. This idea to train the children at such a young age was a horrible idea, and Jacinda had to remove the children from this time period.

  “We really must be getting along now,” Lady Jacinda abruptly spoke out. “We are aware that this is your vacation, and we will not burden you any longer.”

  Reece stood up. “It was lovely to meet you, Aria,” she said as she looked toward Lady Jacinda, who was gripping Jeremy’s hand tightly. “It was lovely to meet all of you.”

  “You really are Empress Reece from Earth?” Jeremy suddenly spoke out in awe, obviously thrilled he was interacting with the ancestor that he had learned so much about.

  Reece laughed. “As of a few days ago, yes; I became empress, but not of Earth.”

  “Oh, yes, please forgive me. It is a great honor to see you in person. We have heard so many stories that it was hard to determine whether or not they are true,” Jeremy said.

  “I hope the stories that you have heard are good,” Reece remarked with a laugh.

  “Of course they are. You will be a wonderful empress. You should know that.”

  “Enough, Jeremy,” Lady Jacinda said, cutting the boy off curtly. “Once again, please forgive our intrusion. We must be getting along now.” At that moment, she reached for Aria’s hand and offered a small curtsy. “We hope you enjoy your evening.”

  Lady Jacinda scurried past Reece and Levi before they could wish her well, forcing Reece to glance back. “Something seems so familiar about them,” Lady Jacinda heard her quietly say, before finding the next large bush to conceal themselves behind and return themselves to their time period in that instant.

  Once back in the children’s rooms that they shared when they came to visit Pasidian Palace, she shuffled the kids out of their dress clothes and into their bed clothes.

  “Quickly, in bed, the both of you,” she ordered as she snatched the book from Jeremy’s bed.

  “Aunt Jaci, please forgive us,” Aria begged.

  She stared down at her nephew and niece’s remorseful expressions. “Jeremy, I am saddened that you would go behind my back and not hold to your word with me regarding this. Trust is one of the most sacred things in life, and to betray someone’s trust is dishonorable. One who cannot be trusted to keep their word is an empty shell of a person.”

  “Surely, you know that I did not mean to upset you. It was only to be an innocent visit to Aria’s favorite part of Levi and Reece’s story. We had no plans for them to encounter us.”

  “Jeremy, did you at any time consider the possibility that you may be restricted with your abilities, such as Marian was? Do you recall the tragic situation that occurred when Marian tried jumping through time with Caleb?”

  Jeremy’s expression grew grave as he looked over at his younger sister. “I am sorry, Aria.”

  “You are quite fortunate that your ability is strong enough to bring others in time with you. I do not want to think about the outcome if your ability was limited. You cannot take your abilities for granted. If you do, countless people could be hurt.” Her lips tightened. “Jeremy, you absolutely will not attempt another act like this again. Do I need to bring the emperor in here to scold you over your deceit?”

  “Please, no. I promise I am more fearful now to jump through time than ever before.”

  “When your parents arrive tomorrow, they will be informed of this, and I will be sending for Queen Galleta. Your impatience and toying with your abilities must be addressed as soon as possible.”

  “How did you know that we left?”

  “Along with the ability to travel through time, I also inherited infallible intuition. It has not failed me yet.” She tucked both children in. “Now, sleep. You will have a long few weeks of training with Queen Galleta, starting tomorrow.”

  Jacinda walked into her room to find her husband sitting on their sofa sipping a glass of wine. He stood when she entered. “Do we have cause for concern?”

  “I skimmed through the books, and the only thing that has changed is the children and me encountering Levi and Reece on their vacation. Fortunately, both were too taken with their evening together to speak of the event ever again.”

  “And Jeremy and Aria? Should we have a servant stand watch over them for the evening?”

  “No. I believe this was a lesson learned for both of them.” She embraced her husband. “I must have you send for Queen Galleta first thing tomorrow. Jeremy and Aria must begin their training at once.”

  “Understood.” A tiny smile drew up in the corner of his mouth. “My lovely wife, I believe we should have expected this with Jeremy.”

  “That is true.” Jacinda softly laughed. “I am grateful that this encounter tonight helped him see the gravity of the situation. Perhaps he will finally learn to respect his new abilities instead of abusing them.”

  It had been two days since both Jeremy and Aria left with Queen Galleta for their training. To Jacinda’s relief, Jeremy had held to his promise and no longer used his abilities to travel through time to satisfy his own curiosity.

  When Jacinda was dressed for the day, she dismissed her maiden and poured herself a hot cup of tea. As she walked out onto her balcony, she nearly dropped her cup when she heard something in her room.

  “Forgive me if I have startled you,” a voice called out from behind her.

  Lady Jacinda turned and stood in shock at the woman standing before her. “Marian?” she questioned, seeing that this woman looked identical to Marian’s portrait in the palace’s gallery.

  “Yes.” She sighed. “You know who I am, Lady Jacinda?”

  “Only from portraits, and please call me Jacinda.” She set her tea to the side and walked toward Marian. “I know I should not be startled to see you, but I am having great difficulty accepting that you have traveled into this time period and are interacting with me.”

  “I understand, and I would not be here in need of your help if this weren't an urgent matter.”

  Jacinda immediately pulled herself together when she saw the concern in Marian’s eyes. “Please,” she motioned toward the sofa, “sit and tell me what has happened that requires my assistance.”

  Both women sat on the sofas. “It has been five years since my brother and sister, Alexander and Alysia, were born, and something is not right with either of the twins.”

  “Not right?” Lady Jacinda questioned.

  “Yes. I am afraid that they may have special abilities, yet these abilities are manifesting themselves in such a way that Alexander is having visions leaving him petrified. We cannot understand what is occurring with him, nor can we help him.”

  “And Alysia?”

  “She will not speak of anything; however, we see the terror in her eyes also.” Marian sighed. “I have traveled to each of our successors, and I have learned that you are the one who can help them. I beg of you to go back with me and help my brother and sister. I know this is an unusual request, but I feel it is our only option, as Queen Galleta is left without knowing how to help them as well.”

  “In that time, Queen Galleta is still struggling to understand the unique abilities the children will have. I must know about Melinda, your youngest sister. Has anything occurred with her yet?”

  “Not at the moment. She is only three years of age, but the twins will no longer play with her as they did before.”

  “This news surprises me. Nothing was documented about them fearing these abilities when they awakened. It is critical that they embrace these abilities instead of fear them.”

  “So you will help us?” Marian said promisingly.

  “I have no other option.” Lady Jacinda smiled, then stood and
reached for Marian’s hand. “Please, take me to this time period.”

  At that moment, they were walking up to Oxley Manor. “I believe my mother is out in the gardens with Melinda. She took a reprieve from helping in the training centers, due to the recent events with Alexander and Alysia. Father has also been summoned and is returning from Earth today as well.”

  “That is understandable. Are they aware that you have sent for me?”

  “My mother is, yes. She understands that even though I have had no desire to travel in time, perhaps, for this cause, I might find someone in the future who could help us.”

  They walked together through the manor, and even though Lady Jacinda had time traveled before, she had never interacted with her ancestors before. Walking through the home she only knew as her brother’s estate was exhilarating and odd in the same.

  As they exited through large glass doors into the courtyard, Lady Jacinda heard the high-pitched squeals coming from a young girl.

  “That must be Melinda?” she questioned.

  “Indeed,” Marian answered with a laugh. “She has quite the lively personality, just as Alysia had before she and Alexander were overcome with fear of their abilities.”

  They turned down a path that opened up into a large area where stone benches surrounded a small fountain. Reece immediately stood and walked up to Marian and Jacinda.

  “You must be our fifth granddaughter, Empress Jacinda?” she said with a brilliant smile. She softly laughed as she studied Jacinda. “I will say this is all quite bizarre, but as I told Marian before she traveled to you, I was willing to accept anything to help my son and daughter. Thank you for your willingness to do this for us.”

  They all took seats around an elaborate fountain, and in that instant, Levi and Reece’s energetic daughter, Melinda, who had been previously chasing infant zorflaks around the area, stopped and ran up to her mother.

  “Mama!” she cried as she reached up for Reece to take her into her arms.

  “There is no need to be frightened, Mel,” Reece said as she pulled the toddler onto her lap. “Please meet a wonderful member of our family, Lady Jacinda.”

  Jacinda studied the young girl’s brilliant green eyes. She instantly felt the strong intuition that Melinda had deep within her.

  Why are their talents awakening at such a young age? she thought as she tried to recall this time period.

  “Is there something wrong, Lady Jacinda?” Reece asked.

  “Please, call me Jacinda.” She smiled. “Nothing is wrong; although, I am finding it quite interesting as to why these abilities are awakening so soon within your children.”

  Reece ran her fingers along Melinda’s arm. “All of this is very surreal to Levi and me. We understand that Marian was blessed with remarkable abilities, but we honestly did not expect all of our children to have exceptional talents as well. If that is what this is?”

  “I cannot give you too much information about the future, but I will tell you that being your direct descendent, your children will all have diverse abilities and they only become stronger with each generation.”

  “We have tried everything with Alexander and Alysia, even Queen Galleta has tried to get them to open up to her, but they will not respond.”

  “I see that your eyes are still emerald green and that you carry the power of the stone within you. Have you tried working with the children?”

  Reece’s lips tightened. “I have, but even though Alexander and Alysia appear to carry a lot of my human genetics, they also have been blessed with the strong mind of the Pemdai. I simply cannot break through that barrier, and neither can Galleta.”

  “Where are the children now?”

  “Inside. I will go and fetch them.” Marian stood. “I will return in a moment.”

  Jacinda eyed the infant zorflaks fluttering around the area. “I see you have found a mate for Mozart,” she said with a laugh. “Even though the zorflak is now a common pet amongst households in Pemdas in my time, it is quite intriguing to witness the reasons why.”

  Reece laughed. “Are they? That makes me very happy to know.” Her brilliant green eyes sparkled. “Let’s not tell Levi what I started, though.”

  Jacinda and Reece’s laughter was cut short when Melinda sat up, eyes wide and a smile so bright, Lady Jacinda couldn’t help but wonder what would cause such a reaction in the toddler.

  “Papa!” she squealed as she leaped from Reece’s lap and raced toward where Levi had entered the gardens.

  Both Reece and Lady Jacinda stood at that moment.

  “Ladies,” he said as he reached down for his daughter. “Please, sit. Pardon my interruption, but Marian informed me that we had quite the unique visitor among us. He shifted Melinda into one arm and reached for Lady Jacinda’s hand, bowing over it. “It is a great honor to meet you.”

  Lady Jacinda’s eyes locked with Levi’s sapphire ones. “The honor is all mine,” she answered.

  Levi walked over to Reece. “My love,” he said as he brought his lips to her hand, “I wish you would have sent for me earlier. It troubles me that you and the children have dealt with this alone.”

  “I decided not to send for you until I was sure there was nothing more we could do. I thought Galleta would accomplish something with Alex and Alysia, but she hasn’t been successful.” She looked over at Jacinda. “Jacinda has informed me that these abilities only grow stronger as the generations pass. She is also quite shocked that these abilities are awakening so soon in our children.”

  Levi sat next to Reece, with Melinda’s arms clung tightly around his neck. “Papa, I have missed you so,” she said, obviously not taking an interest in anyone around her but her father.

  Levi ran his hand over her onyx curls and kissed her forehead. “I believe your papa has missed you more, little one. Have you been keeping these zorflaks busy, as we discussed?”

  She nodded as she played with Levi’s elaborately tied cravat. “Just as you said. I have worn them out every night, and they are too tired to sing so loudly in the evenings.”

  Levi eyed the area. “And Mozart?”

  “Levi!” Reece arched an eyebrow at him.

  “I am simply inquiring—”

  “He doesn’t sleep in the gardens as he should when you are gone,” Melinda smartly answered.

  Levi grinned at Reece. “Is that so?”

  “Can we get off the subject of the zorflaks please?” Reece sternly asked Levi. “Jacinda is here, and we can’t waste too much of her time.”

  Levi draped his arm around Reece as Melinda settled into his embrace. “Yes, please. Jacinda, you mentioned that our children have abilities?

  “Indeed.” She smiled at Melinda sitting proudly on her father’s lap. “It appears that Melinda is already exercising some form of talent. Her vocabulary is quite advanced for only being three years of age.”

  Reece laughed and placed her hand on Levi’s leg. “Yes, we were amazed when she starting speaking in full sentences just after her first birthday.” She smiled up at Levi. “However, I’m not certain that is an exceptional talent. Lady Allestaine informed us that Levi was the same way at her age.”

  Jacinda chuckled. “That makes perfect sense.”

  “Papa!” a young girl screeched, forcing Levi’s sapphire eyes to glisten as Alysia ran into the area, her blonde hair bouncing with each step she took.

  Levi leaned forward, embracing Alysia, who kissed him lovingly on his cheek. “I am so excited you are home,” she said as Alexander quietly approached the location.

  “You appear to be feeling much better, sweet one,” Levi said as he studied his daughter and then peered around her to where Alexander stood. “Son?” he calmly called out.

  “Father, I am happy you are home as well.”

  Reece’s once beaming expression was replaced with a sorrowful one as Levi’s lips tightened with concern. “Why don’t you two go give those zorflaks a hard time?” Levi whispered to his daughters.

  Without question
ing or arguing with their father, both children were off his lap and running toward the resting zorflaks.

  “Alexander?” Levi placed both elbows on his knees and leaned forward. “Are your visions still frightening you?”

  Alexander nodded. “Yes, Father. I can’t seem to stop them, and now I fear to go to sleep at all.”

  Levi took his son’s hand into his large one. “Your sister has used her abilities to bring a special person here to help you. Are you willing to work with her?”

  Alexander glanced over at Reece, who gave him a smile of encouragement and conceded with a nod to Levi.

  “Alex,” Reece called out. “I know everything appears to be frightening to you these days, but Marian would not have traveled so far if she wasn’t sure that Jacinda could help you.”

  Jacinda remained quiet, studying Alexander. He wasn’t merely having visions, and he wasn’t merely time jumping as he should. His time-jumping abilities were so strong, they controlled him instead of the other way around.

  “Would you mind taking a short walk with me?” Jacinda asked Alexander, who was staring at her as if she were an enemy.

  Marian smiled. “Jacinda can help you, Alex. Go along with her.”

  “Do either of you mind?” she asked Levi and Reece.

  “Not at all,” Levi returned. “We shall be here if you need us.”

  Alexander hesitantly placed his hand on hers, and Jacinda could feel the clamminess of his palms.

  “I believe I know what is happening with you, sweet child,” she said, feeling odd she would talk to her fourth great-grandfather in such a way.

  “How could you know? No one knows,” he grumbled.

  She knelt and softly gripped his shoulders. “Close your eyes.”

  He shook his head. “I’m afraid. The visions may come again.”

  “I am with you, and you are safe with me.”

  He closed his eyes, and they were in a new location. Jacinda glanced around, seeing headstones in the Oxleys’ family cemetery. Alexander started crying, prompting her to bring the young boy into her arms. She glanced past him, seeing the headstones of Levi and Reece. “Sweet child, you are letting your fear rule your life.” She pulled back so she could meet his vivid eyes. “Tell me, what were you thinking when you closed your eyes?”