by Morgan, SL
Reece felt a sharp pain spasm in her stomach, yet the determination and confidence in Navarre’s voice kept her from believing that she may never see Levi again. She exited the room, she needed to get outside. With every step she took, she lost hope that Levi would ever return. It had been five days now. They were sending men, and now it seemed as though all of the other men were going missing as well. What was going on?
That night was the first evening that Navarre had joined the women in the sitting room. He seemed confident, but Reece knew something wasn’t right.
She pretended to read a book of poetry. Elizabeth sat close to Reece, reading a book of her own. They stayed close together, lending each other unspoken support. Simone, Lillian, and Catherine sat in their usual corner in quiet conversation. Allestaine was writing in a journal of some sort, and even though Navarre had joined them in the room, he remained withdrawn from everyone. He stood alone near the sofa Reece and Elizabeth were on, staring out the enormous windows.
Allestaine walked up to him, wrapped her arms around his waist, and he held her in his arms. “Navarre, what has happened?”
Navarre kissed her briefly on the head and exhaled, “We lost contact with the men we sent to Earth today as well. We can no longer send any more men. Allestaine, only thirty Guardians remain in Pemdas. All of our warriors have simply vanished. I must send word out, and let all of Pemdas know I have failed them. I have never felt so lost. I know I have a purpose and a duty as a father and Emperor to all who depend on me. It is who I am, or so I thought. I am slowly being made aware that I am only a helpless victim, as the ones who depend on me have become. Tell me who I am now, my beautiful wife, for I can no longer answer this question.” He stared out of the window.
Allestaine looked up at her broken husband. “You are who you have always been, Navarre. A man who places himself with his people, and never above them. It is why you are admired greatly, and loved by all. You have not failed anyone, as I know you have not slept in nearly a week trying to strategize with Samuel, and recover all of the men who have disappeared. Right now, you are only finding your fear, my darling. In this situation, you are as helpless as the rest of us. There is no shame in that.”
He sighed. “I must disagree. There is a profusion of shame when you cannot rise to meet your duty for those who depend on you. My son, my nephew, and our loyal warriors, fell into a trap; I know not where they are, what they are facing, or what they are thinking. Do they wait for me to bring them out? If so, how do I achieve this, when I have not a clue where to start? They depend on me, Allestaine, and I must bring them home. I must bring all the men safely back to their families. However, I have no way of doing so anymore. I have done all I can do.”
Allestaine pulled back, bringing his focus down to her. “You will listen to me, Emperor Navarre. I will not stand here and be reminded of the one dangerous trait our son inherited from you—to believe there is no hope in situations you personally, have no control over. At this point, there is nothing more that can be done. It is now time that you trust everything our warriors have been trained to do. They will find a way home, and we will get through this. We solve nothing by worrying over things we cannot help.”
He did not answer, only returned his gaze to the windows.
Reece was frozen. The group of men she saw earlier that day had not returned. Now she understood that they were Navarre’s last attempt to find the men. It was as if the life had drained from her. She looked over at Elizabeth who was intently reading her book.
“Lizzy—I think I’m going to go to bed for the evening.”
Elizabeth nodded, and stood with Reece, “I believe I will, too.”
After Reece returned to her room, she collapsed onto her bed in tears. The same emotions of losing her father ripped through her, and emptiness consumed her. She started to take deep, calming breaths. She had to remain calm. She had to see Levi’s face, to feel his closeness, to smell the fragrance of him. She had to believe he would return to her. She curled up on her side, and brought her coat up to her face. The fragrance of Levi’s cologne was no longer present. She closed her eyes tightly, but no image of Levi came. It was as if everything of him had disappeared. Panic, like poison, worked its way through her. She had to get out of this room, out of this Palace.
She pulled her coat on and quickly walked out to the spot where they had spent their last evening alone together.
She sat there, gazing up into the glowing nature all around her. She let the peaceful beauty of the different colors illuminating in the trees calm her, and began to think more clearly.
She had no idea where Levi was, but she would not accept that he would never return. She couldn’t give up hope. “Come back to me, Levi,” she murmured.
Chapter 22
The next afternoon, they all sat together in the room that overlooked the valley below. Navarre was in a corner having a discussion with Samuel. In the opposite corner, near the windows, Elizabeth played the piano softly. Lady Allestaine and Reece sat together on a sofa, reading quietly, as the other woman talked in low voices at a table across the room.
It was how every day had passed since the disappearances, and no matter how many walks Reece had taken with Elizabeth to help to clear her mind, she still felt empty inside.
She tried not to look out the window, because it always disappointed her. It had snowed the previous night, yet the beauty of new-fallen snow couldn’t make up for the emptiness outside, and the lack of hope that Levi would ever ride up that hill again.
Suddenly the piano music stopped. Elizabeth stood up, and peered out the windows. “Father? Someone rides to the house…it looks like...one of the Guardian horses.”
Navarre was at the window in an instant, but everyone else froze, waiting. Reece’s stomach tightened into a knot as she tried to force hope away.
Navarre stood watching as the black horse made its way closer to the house. He brought his hand up over his mouth, concentrating deeply as the horse made its way into an identifiable range. “It is Areion,” he said finally. “But who is his rider?” He strained his eyes to see.
At that moment, everyone in the room stood. Reece darted to the windows, followed by Lady Allestaine, who clutched her husband’s arm while they watched the horse approach. Reece’s heart was pounding in her chest as she watched the horse in the distance thundering toward the Palace.
Elizabeth reached for her father’s free hand and held it. “Father, Levi is the only one Areion will allow upon his back; you know this. It must be Levi.”
Suddenly, the horse lunged into full view—not on the usual road to the Palace, but on a direct line to the front of the house, being ridden at an aggressive speed.
Levi! Reece covered her mouth with her hands in disbelief. She didn’t know if she wanted to laugh or cry at the great relief she felt knowing he was alive. It was as if life returned to her again.
Areion cleared a hedge, and she could see that Levi wore the same clothes as the day he left. The expression on his face was dangerous, hostile. He bellowed for his groom, and turned Areion over to him. “Slow his heart before it fails him…NOW!” He called out violently before heading to the Palace entrance.
Before anyone had a chance to move, everyone heard Levi’s enraged voice as he stormed in through the front door.
“Simone! Where is SHE….Where is Simone?” Hearing the fury in Levi’s voice, Reece almost felt frightened for Simone.
Levi paused at the door to the sitting room, found his target with his eyes, and strode straight to her. Navarre moved closer to his wife, and everyone else waited for the storm to break. Simone stood; her face reflected the fear from Levi’s fury.
“WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO US?”
Simone stepped back, and Levi pursued, paying no attention to the rest of the room. His shirt was filthy and torn, his face was bruised, and his hair was tangled and dirty. What had he been through? He looked as though he hadn’t slept the entire time he was gone.
Samue
l moved in front of his daughter. “Levi…there is no need for hostility at this time.” He put his arm out toward Levi’s chest.
Levi grabbed it, and used it to lay Samuel out on the rug in front of him. Navarre stepped swiftly to his son, and pulled him away. “Son, you are a better man than this.” He waited.
Levi, his father gripping his arm, turned toward the woman standing stunned against the wall. “Simone—” He growled.
“Levi…we know,” said Navarre as he turned his son to face him. Levi’s face was black with anger, “Son, what happened? We need to know what you know.”
The fire in Levi’s eyes faded slowly. His gaze roamed the room, from one shocked woman to another. When he saw Reece, he exhaled, closed his eyes, and his posture softened.
Samuel lay motionless on the rug. Levi looked down at him, and Samuel’s eyes widened. Levi stretched out his hand. “Commander, forgive me.”
Samuel nodded, and accepted Levi’s hand. “Levi, where are they keeping the rest of our men?” He asked.
Levi’s eyes became enraged again. “I will not speak of anything in front of that woman.” Simone dropped her head into her hands, sobbing.
It was as if the fire of rage had been reignited in Levi as his eyes narrowed dangerously, and his face grew darker.
She flinched away from him.
“Look at me! Or can you not face the consequence of your spite?” He spat the last word out.
Navarre placed a hand on his son’s shoulder. “Son, can you tell us what’s become of Harrison? Your uncle will arrive at any moment.”
Levi’s body went rigid again, as his fists clenched white. “How am I to know Harrison’s condition, Father? Because of this filthy object in front of me, I will not know until Reece has been traded for him and the rest of our men!”
Navarre looked at Lillian, “Take Simone to her room at once.”
As Lillian escorted a sobbing Simone from the room, Navarre looked back at Levi. “We must get all the information we can from you, but first let us get your wounds attended to. Your return has restored the hope I almost lost. We will bring our men home,” he stepped back and locked Levi’s gaze on his own, “and we will finish this together.”
Levi nodded.
“As soon as you are ready, we need to talk with Samuel to set our plans. Afterwards, we will have quiet dinner—just family and Reece.”
At Reece’s name, life appeared in Levi’s shadowy eyes. He turned toward her as a thirsty man turns toward water, and all his muscles seemed to relax. She took a step toward him, and the next minute, he was in her arms. “Forgive me, my love,” he whispered.
Lady Allestaine and Elizabeth approached Levi, hugged him, and told him how relieved they were that he was home. As the energy in the room started to unwind, Levi took Reece’s hand in his. “Allow me a few moments to make myself presentable, and then I will return for you. When I speak with my father and Samuel, I want you to be there.”
Reece nodded. She wanted so badly to ask him what he had been through, but now was not the time. Levi’s eyes brightened. “I love you,” he mouthed silently, before turning to his father.
“Father, I will return shortly for Reece. There are some matters I wish to discuss with her alone, before we meet with you and Samuel in your office to discuss the situations we are to face. I would rather discuss these issues sooner than later.”
Navarre nodded in agreement. “As you wish. Samuel and I will await you in my study. An hour?”
“Fine. We’ll join you in an hour.”
After Levi left, Navarre embraced his wife, and followed Samuel out of the room. Allestaine and Elizabeth approached Reece, embracing her with happiness and relief before Reece made her way back to an empty couch to wait for Levi. Allestaine and Elizabeth walked toward Simone’s sister, Catherine, who was sobbing and in hysterics. As bad as Reece felt for the girl, she couldn’t bring herself to support her at the moment.
Reece brought her attention to the view outside of the windows. It was snowing again, and as she watched the light flakes dance in the wind, she felt relief completely wash over her. Reece watched the snowfall until Elizabeth came over to her. “Do you mind if I sit with you?”
Reece smiled and moved to one side. “Certainly not. How is Catherine doing?”
Elizabeth took the offered seat. “A little better, I suppose. How are you feeling?”
Reece grinned. “A lot better now that Levi’s back. Although, I’m still concerned about Harrison and the others; and I am a little worried about what happens now.”
Elizabeth placed her hand over Reece’s, and smiled brightly at her. “I am certain that with Levi’s knowledge of the circumstances, they will be able to come to a swift resolution. Please do not fear.”
Reece smiled back. “I’m sorry I haven’t been myself lately. It’s like, nothing mattered but whether or not the men would ever come back.”
“We’ve all been distraught. I haven’t been myself either; no one has.”
“Ladies.” Levi greeted them from behind. He had wasted no time in returning. His deep voice made Reece’s heart leap, and she turned around.
The bruises and scrapes on his face were still there, but he looked much more like himself. “Elizabeth, I must steal your friend for a while.”
Elizabeth stood and hugged her brother. Levi wrapped his arms tightly around her, and bestowed a soft kiss on the top of her head.
“I am so happy to see you again, Levi.”
“Likewise, sweet one. It is good to be home.”
“I know you must go see Father, so I will not detain you.”
Allestaine, still in conversation with Catherine, gave him a reassuring nod, and he reached for Reece’s hand to lead her from the room.
They walked together in silence down the hallways. Countless times, Reece had imagined what she would say to him, if and when he returned to her. And here he was, by some miracle, holding her hand tightly, yet she had no idea how to approach him. She was worried for him and what he had gone through, but from his display earlier in the room, she felt it best not to approach the subject with him for fear of upsetting him again.
He opened a door to a dimly-lit room, and stood back for Reece to enter. Before she could look around, he closed the door and seized her in a tight embrace. She rested her head against his chest, inhaling deeply the rich, masculine scent she had so desperately missed. As he gently touched her face, the tears brimming in her eyes overflowed and spilled down her cheeks.
“Reece, what’s wrong?”
“I’m so thankful you’re safe.”
His piercing eyes were still concerned. He gently brought his hand to her cheek, tenderly sweeping away a stray tear. He then slowly brought up his other hand, cradling her face. His thumbs absently stroked her cheeks. “You’re so beautiful. I have longed to stare into your eyes, and to feel your skin against my own. We’ll attend to matters with my father, but first, I must have this moment alone with you.” Fixing his eyes intently upon hers, he slowly drew his face in closer. Only when his lips were pressed against hers did he allow his eyes to close.
After the brief kiss, he rested his forehead against hers. “This—this is what gave me strength to endure. I had to get back to you. I yearned for your presence.” He tilted her chin up, and stared somberly into her eyes. “I needed to hear your voice, to feel your touch, and to simply see your face again.” He traced her jawline with one finger. “My only, one love.”
Reece wrapped her arms around him. “Levi, I’m so sorry for what you have been through. I wish I had words—”
“There’s no need for words. We’re together now.”
Reece studied his face, and brought her hand up to trace the bruise above his eyebrow. He closed his eyes and sighed. She cupped his face as he had hers, and stood on her toes to kiss each fading bruise.
“I love you,” she whispered, finishing with a kiss to his chin.
Levi’s eyes opened, more brilliant than ever. He smiled the s
pecial smile he seemed to keep only for her. “And I love you, more than I can say.”
Reece relaxed into his gentle grip, offering her lips, and without hesitation, Levi accepted the invitation.
Chapter 23
Levi slowly ended their heated kiss. He smiled, his eyes showing concern, yet he didn’t let go of her. “My love, I must request something of you before we meet with my father.”
Reece stared at him. “Anything.”
“I am about to present my father and Samuel with a plan that will seemingly put you at risk. I hope you know that I would never willingly allow your safety to be endangered, but we’re at a complete disadvantage right now. I have an idea, but it depends on returning you to Earth for a while. Harrison is arranging a safe way for your return. If I did not have him, I wouldn’t consider taking you back.”
“Harrison is alive?”
Levi smiled brilliantly. “Yes, sweetheart, though I wouldn’t say it in front of Simone. About my plan—”
She looked up at him and smiled warmly. “Levi, I understand you all have a lot to decide. I’ve watched your father walk around here hopeless and distraught for days on end. If there is a way to retrieve your men, and the plans involve me, I want to be a part of them. I may not understand everything you all are talking about, but I do trust you.”
He smiled down with admiration in his eyes. “You, my love…intrigue me.” He bent down to kiss her briefly. “Harrison wanted me to point out that he’s made good on the promise he made to you the morning we left.”
Reece cocked her head. “Promise?”
“Yes, don’t you remember? He promised to return me to you safely.”
Reece closed her eyes, and hugged Levi tightly. “I owe him, big time.”
Levi pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “Now, let us go meet with my father.”
Navarre’s office was large and luxurious, but also clearly a working space. Situated in front of the Palace’s imposing windows, was a large polished mahogany desk with a deep red leather chair behind it. Swords and other various pieces of weaponry hung on the walls by a fireplace in the front corner of the room.
