by Morgan, SL
With that, he smiled widely, turned, and walked down the steps with Samuel toward their vehicle.
Harrison put his arm on Levi’s shoulder, squeezing Reece where she stood between them. “Well kids, it’s just us again! There is only thing I must know before our departure…” He breathed in deeply and let out an exaggerated sigh. “Is Reece content with these arrangements? You realize you’re going to have a love-struck fool chasing you around every day, don’t you?”
Reece laughed. “I’m sure I’ll manage.”
“We’ll see about that!” Harrison stepped back and ruffled Levi’s hair, “I’ll meet you two lovebirds at the car!” He said as he turned to hop down the steps toward the car.
Levi turned to face Reece. She stared deeply into his brilliant blue eyes as he smiled at her. “You did extremely well today, Reece.” Relief and happiness were apparent in his voice.
She gazed into his eyes; eyes that reflected everything he felt for her. He was so unbelievably handsome when he smiled at her in this manner.
There was nothing she wanted more than Levi. She knew, if given the option, she could never choose living on Earth over living in Pemdas. She felt as though she didn’t belong on Earth anymore. Since her father’s death, she had no real attachment here. Her absence would go noticed only by her college friends, and that would easily be worked out.
She studied Levi’s face, intrigued by the man she loved. He not only saved her life physically, he had saved her in many more ways than he would probably ever understand. He filled a void that she didn’t know existed. She didn’t know she was missing anything, until she fell in love with him. She reached up and caressed his cheek. He caught her hand and brought it to his lips, never allowing his eyes to leave hers. “I love you,” she whispered.
His eyes took on a deeper glow. “I love you.”
“Well, are you ready?”
He softly laughed. “I am only waiting for you, love. My only wish is that you are happy on your return to live with us in Pemdas.”
Reece wound her arms around his neck. She softly ran her fingers through his hair and smiled. “Levi, I love Pemdas—but more than that, I love you. I couldn’t imagine living anywhere—”
She was silenced when his lips captured hers. He wrapped his strong arms around her waist, drawing her closer in to him. Reece molded her body tightly against his, savoring the rich taste of his kiss.
“Should I fly the plane to Philadelphia on my own?” Harrison shouted from the car below. “It looks like you two are ready to go straight to Pemdas from here!”
They both laughed.
“Shall we?” Levi said as he offered Reece his arm.
They arrived in Philadelphia in the early evening. Reece slept on the flight, and woke up starving. Levi and Harrison thought dinner out would be safe for all of them, and they encouraged her to bring her friends along.
Dinner was an upbeat occasion, and Reece felt as though it was the perfect way to close this chapter of her life; saying goodbye to old friends, while in the company of the people with whom she would spend the rest of her life.
Everyone took the news of Reece’s departure well. Jack gave her a hard time for “ditching him,” but was happy for her.
“Back to San Diego, huh?” Lori said with a sigh, “are you absolutely certain you don’t want to be my roommate for the rest of your life?”
Reece laughed and reached over to give her a hug, “I’m definitely going to miss you, Lori.”
With promises to return to visit when she could, Reece was able to leave without any uncomfortable interrogation.
The three days spent on Earth went quickly; there was not much for her to prepare. She had only a few boxes that Levi carried down into the car. Lori was more than excited that Reece gave her the majority of her wardrobe, with the excuse of starting a new life and needing new clothes for it. Levi arranged the sale of her car, pricing it to sell the same day he had listed it. She was completely ready to leave. They could have left earlier, but Levi encouraged her to take the time with her friends.
The morning they left, Lori and Jack waited to see them off. They said their goodbyes with a few tears from Lori, but none from Reece, who felt as though she could not wait one minute longer to leave Earth.
As they came through the vortex, Levi pulled the car into the stone garage. Once they were out of the car, Levi walked Reece over to the gates. Before walking through them, Levi stopped and pulled her into a loving embrace. He held her tightly as he brought his lips down on hers.
Harrison approached from behind. “I think you two could use some time alone. I’m starting to feel uncomfortable.” He laughed as he went through the gates before them.
Reece flushed, and decided to change the subject. “What about the boxes from my apartment?”
Levi smiled down at her. “I notified the Palace to send servants to retrieve them.”
When they walked through the gates to where Harrison stood, the sound of the horses thundering toward them made Reece’s heart react with anticipation of their return to Pemdas. She gripped Levi’s hand excitedly as she watched their magnificent approach. Levi looked down and smiled at her reaction.
Areion slowed, and pranced over to where Levi stood. Once they were on Areion, Reece wrapped her arms tightly around Levi’s waist. Areion began stamping his feet, eager to go.
Once Harrison was on Saracen, he turned to Levi and Reece. “Shall we race?”
“Not today. I believe I will be taking an alternate route this time. Go on without us; I know you’re desperate to get home.”
Harrison’s eyes narrowed, studying his cousin. “Indeed?”
“Indeed.”
Harrison chuckled, shaking his head. He spun his horse down the road, and raced off.
Areion became instantly jealous and extremely impatient, but Levi held him back. “Would you care to take an alternate route?”
She shrugged. “Would it matter?”
He laughed as he answered. “No, my love, it would not.”
Levi let slack fall in the reins, and the horse leapt forward toward Pemdas. Areion led them over the barrier, lunging over the gray mist. Reece held tightly onto Levi as he let the horse choose his own speed. Illogically, the faster he ran, the smoother the ride was.
It was before reaching the forest that Levi turned right, off the road, and through a grassy meadow with a tall mountain range behind it. This must be the scenic route, Reece thought. They traveled alongside a large river, with tall trees outlining its banks. Areion slowed as he stepped them down a deep, narrow, stone road, cut like a canyon through rock. The stone walls dimmed the light of the sun, and the air chilled.
Once they were through it, Areion’s pace increased. Levi covered Reece’s hands, bracing her. “Hold on.”
Areion sped up, digging at the ground beneath him as he began his ascent up a mountainside. This was Reece’s longest climb yet on the horse; she felt it in her legs and back. Just as she was about to ask for a break, they reached the top. Even Areion seemed to feel relief to be finished with the climb. He did not fight his master as Levi walked him straight ahead, toward the edge of the mountain top. Reece squeezed Levi tightly, and buried her face in his back.
She felt him laughing as Areion stopped moving. “I believe the view that Areion worked hard to show you is much better than the back of my shirt. Open your eyes, love.”
As she looked over, she was rendered speechless. The trees on the top of the narrow mountain peak were minimal, and she was able to view everything around them. They stood overlooking Pemdas—hills, valleys, and farmland that seemed to go on forever. Far in the distance, past smaller mountains and hills, water glistened. “Is that an ocean?”
“It is. This is the best view of it. It is not necessarily my favorite ride, but the reward is worth it.”
She stared ahead, amazed by the beautiful view. She leaned into his back, her eyes gazing out at the sparkling body of water.
“Wow,” was
all that she could manage.
Levi spoke softly, “I felt I should welcome you to your new home in this manner.”
Reece squeezed her arms tightly around his waist. “It’s breathtaking, Levi. Thank you.”
“You are very welcome. Now, let us give Areion a break. I must share this view with you properly, anyway.”
They dismounted, and walked to a spot of scrub grass off to the side, which offered a better view of the ocean. Levi pulled her into his arms, and she let her body relax into his embrace while taking in the view. They said nothing for a few moments; she only felt the soft kisses he bestowed to the top of her head.
“The first time I was brought here was by my father; it was when he explained to me what would be expected of me when I became Emperor.”
Levi stared intently out toward the glistening waters of the ocean. “My father compared the power and duty of an Emperor to an ocean. Just as the ocean is viewed as powerful, one day I would be viewed in the same manner. He spoke of how unpredictable the ocean is. It can be peaceful one moment, and then with no warning, it can become fierce, instantly humbling you. With that, he instructed that as long as I understood the gravity of the position I would hold, and yet remain humbled by it, I would be able to cope with the responsibility.”
He pulled back to face her, his expression somber. “Reece, if you choose to reside in Pemdas indefinitely, I must know your feelings about my chosen appointment. I cannot allow you to be misled into believing that a relationship with me would be like any other normal one.”
Reece looked up at him, confused, unsure of where this was all going. Of course she was not afraid to love someone of his importance. Yes, it was different, exciting, and demanding all at once. She knew that she would need to eventually find balance in all of it, and most importantly, admit to herself that she was loved by a true prince. That was the hardest part for her, given she did not necessarily view him in that way. It was not his place in this world that she had fallen in love with. She fell in love…with him.
She tried to arrange her thoughts into words. “Levi, I understand that you will one day stand as ruler over…this entire world.” She laughed at the thought, and went on. “I know I don’t have a firm understanding of what that will require of you day to day, but I want to do everything I can to make that responsibility easier for you. You don’t need to worry about that scaring me. I love you so much…you should probably be more worried about that instead!” She teased.
Levi’s eyes danced with amusement as they remained locked onto hers. He grinned down at her, and softly called for Areion. Leaving already? What did I say? Levi continued to stare into her eyes, never once turning to look for the horse.
“Levi?”
He reached down to her face, tenderly letting his hand caress her cheek. “You are so beautiful,” he said. She felt his gaze through her entire body. “You must know that I love you with my whole heart. I’ve loved you since I first saw you, and I want to spend the rest of my life loving you more the next day, than I did the day before. I am unable to imagine my life without you, and I have no desire to do so.”
Reece’s eyes widened at the realization of what was happening. Her mind swam with the words he declared to her. Never did she imagine that love like this truly existed, and never did she imagine it would find her. Levi turned to the waiting horse behind him, reached into a pocket in the saddle, and quickly returned his eyes back to hers. He slowly led her away from the horse, and stood with the magnificent view behind him. She could not speak, but it was the answer in her expression which encouraged him further.
Levi’s eyes glistened, as he reached slowly for her hand, his features showing his passion and love for her. He closed his eyes, as he brought her delicate hand up to his mouth and softly kissed it before returning his adoring eyes to hers. “You are the only person my heart has ever desired, or will ever desire.” His lips turned up into a tiny smile. “I’m afraid you have fallen in love with a man with very little patience. I usually waste no time in securing what I want; and that is you, Reece Bryant, more than anything. Would you please grant me the greatest honor I could ever receive, by becoming my wife?”
Tears filled her eyes, tears of joy, and love, and utter happiness. His words echoed in her thoughts—Would you please grant me the greatest honor I could ever receive, by becoming my wife?—she stared down, absently shaking her head from side to side.
Levi’s eyes crinkled up in laughter. “No?”
She laughed, too, reaching down to his bruised cheek, staring at him with more love than she ever knew she could feel. “Yes, Levi. Of course, yes.”
He stood, towering over her, smiling brilliantly. He went to kiss her, but stopped and took a step back. “I almost forgot,” he said, as he laughed softly. “I arranged for my mother to slip this ring in Areion’s saddle pouch. It was my grandmother’s.”
Reece looked down at the brilliant blue and silver-like stone, blurred and wavering by her tears. “Levi, this is the most beautiful…” Before she could finish, his lips were on hers.
He kissed her deeply and passionately, and she returned the kiss with just as much desire. They became lost in each other. Later—how much later, Reece didn’t know—Levi jerked, and suddenly pulled away. He stood back, eyes vivid in their color, as if he were seeing something invisible to her.
“What is it, Levi?”
He looked down toward her and grinned. “I know where the stone is.
Epilogue
Simone
Simone gracefully walked the halls of the Palace, trying to ease the frustration of being cooped up inside of it. She had grown tired of the one woman she despised. She felt that if she had to spend another minute in that girl’s presence; she would likely choke her.
What did everyone see in Reece Bryant anyway? Why didn’t they treat her like the simpleton she was? The ignorant girl is so agreeable that it’s annoying; and yet, everyone adores her for it. Watching her walk around the Palace, dressed formally as if she was a woman of Pemdas, was nauseating. She’s an outsider from Earth, brought here for her protection. Earth! Of all places! Now she roams the halls of the Palace freely, as if it were her own; and why? Because Levi and Harrison need a pet project? Disgusting. Reece Bryant should be made to live among the residents of a simple village; possibly with a lonely family who is in need of some company. To have anyone from Earth residing in the Emperor’s palace is unacceptable.
Her smile? Nothing would please me more than to see it slapped off of her pretty little face. Well, naturally she’s wearing that senseless grin all of the time, she has the two most sought after men in the land catering to her every need. The entire scenario was infuriating, and now Lillian and Catherine agree that she isn’t so bad after all. What do they know, anyways? The girl could charm her way into friendship with everyone else, but she will never befriend me.
Simone exhaled in frustration; all of these thoughts were consuming her like poison. Reece just needed to leave this place. Soon enough, she thought. Father has been in meetings constantly, making great efforts to rid that pest from our land. Soon enough.
As Simone was crossing through the foyer, the back door opened swiftly, revealing Levi’s hasty entrance. Her heart skipped a beat.
A broad smile crossed Levi’s face when he noticed her. Simone’s breath immediately caught; he had never looked at her in this manner before. She could never recall a time where he had ever smiled so brilliantly. He was always so reserved, and yet, commanding. It was what Simone loved about him, the opposite of his annoying and insufferable cousin, Harrison. Now, here Levi stood before her, and he was smiling so brightly, for her?
“Good afternoon, Simone.” Levi greeted her politely.
Simone smiled widely back to him, “Good afternoon, Levi. This is a lovely surprise, and it’s nice to see you have returned safely from Earth.”
Levi’s grin broadened, and Simone could barely contain herself. She never imagined him being any more attracti
ve than he already was. Her cheeks flushed.
“Thank you. I am looking for my mother, do you happen to know where she is?”
He was so appealing that Simone was having a difficult time comprehending what he was asking her.
Simone cleared her throat delicately, “Oh yes, of course, she is in the garden room. I believe she is trying to make Reece feel as if she were outdoors or something.” She rolled her eyes, “You know, Levi, all of us wish the weather would—”
She was interrupted when Levi bowed curtly and thanked her. He spun on his heel swiftly, and walked briskly down the corridor.
Simone thought it was odd of him to act in such a manner, but did not let it trouble her. The smile he meant for her was more than enough to give her the strength to endure Reece’s visit. She smiled as she gracefully walked into the room where Lillian and Catherine were. Her heart beat rapidly every time she thought of his excitement to see her.
Upon entering the room, she was thankful Catherine and Lillian were occupied with fashion magazines. Simone had no desire to converse with anyone at the moment; she did not want to remove the image of Levi from her mind. She greeted the young women as she poured a hot cup of tea to help soothe her nerves. She walked over toward the windows, sipped her tea, and gazed out onto the snow covered gardens. Everything was beautiful again.
She looked down to see Areion patiently waiting for his master to return to him. Simone smiled. She knew Levi would return soon, and she would watch the man she loved ride off on his beautiful stallion. The man commanded his horse like none other. The way he controlled the ferocious steed, and the power and might he used in doing so, had always captivated her. He was perfect in every way.
She gazed around the snow covered grounds; it all seemed so marvelous now. It was amazing how a simple interaction with the handsome Levi Oxley could change her outlook on everything. She knew she must find a way to steal some time alone with him.
As thoughts of Levi danced around in Simone’s head; she nearly choked when her attention was brought back to Areion. His master had indeed returned, but he was not alone. Reece Bryant? Is he taking her out somewhere? Rage flooded her veins, and she gasped with fury. Lillian and Catherine were too involved in their book to notice Simone’s reaction.
