The Awakening, page 4
“Reece, you do not understand…” He trailed off softly.
“No, I may not understand. I may never understand. What I do know is that you are not the reason your father is gone. Do you think he would want you to bear guilt for his death?”
Levi exhaled and shook his head subtly in response as Reece continued.
“Do you think that you weren’t the most important person to him on that battlefield, or that he would regret giving his life to save yours? Your father died so that you might live, and he would not want you to live with the constant guilt that you could’ve done something different to prevent his death,” she said meaningfully. “You cannot dwell on that which you cannot change. To do so is to rob yourself of the life that your father would want you to wholly embrace.”
Levi let out a long sigh before he looked at her. “You are right,” he said with relief. “The loss of my father has had me reliving that moment over and over, and I suppose it is difficult to move forward and heal when you are constantly living in the past.” He pulled her close and rested his chin on her head. “My father would be the first to tell me to let it go and move on, if only for the sake of you, my mother, and sister, so I must.” He stepped back and cupped her chin with his hand. “Thank you,” he said purposefully. “You have no idea what your words have freed me from.”
She smiled up into his sapphire eyes. “There is no need to thank me for being there for you. I know what it is like to grieve the loss of a father, and I also know that people grieve differently. You were placed in a position of great responsibility at the same time that you should have been trying to process his death,” she added as she reached for his hand. “I think what is important now is that you let go of your guilt and start to move forward as best you can. It won’t happen overnight, but I promise it will get easier, and I’ll be here to listen and talk with you whenever you need me.”
Levi gazed intently into her eyes. “I love you,” he said as they walked over to the bench and sat together.
Levi brought his arm around her shoulders, and Reece leaned into his embrace. “I love being at our home together,” she said contentedly. “It’s so peaceful here.”
Levi turned to face her, and then stared at her in puzzlement. He looked back to where the house was, and when he brought his gaze down to Reece, his eyes narrowed.
“Reece?”
“Yes?” She smiled up at him.
“Where is your carriage? How did you—”
“Arrow,” Reece returned with a smug grin.
Levi’s expression caused her to laugh. He sat there motionless as his eye caught Arrow grazing next to Areion. Reece sat perfectly straight, ready to react to whatever scolding she might receive from him.
When Levi looked back at her, Reece brought her hand up to cover her smile as she watched the many different expressions cross Levi’s face.
Levi finally broke the silence as he cleared his throat. “My love, forgive me if I seem upset; I am only concerned about your safety in this situation. Firstly, please tell me you saddled Arrow on your own, as Javian will soon be—”
“You know I don’t know how to saddle a horse,” she interrupted. “Javian saddled him, and you will absolutely not blame him for anything. I didn’t give him a choice. He and Harrison both—”
Levi’s eyes widened. “Harrison? Do not tell me my cousin allowed you upon that horse’s back with the knowledge of what Arrow has put me through while trying to train him?”
Reece exhaled. “You need to calm down. Harrison and Javian had no say in the matter. Apparently, the carriage was going to take too long to prepare, and I wasn’t going to wait,” she simply stated. “I needed a horse, and the only horse I trust is Arrow. I refused to let them convince me otherwise.”
Levi’s eyes grew stern. “That horse could have severely injured you, or worse. He could have—”
“I know, believe me,” Reece said, interrupting him. “Harrison and Javian both nearly had heart attacks waiting for his response to my climbing on his back.”
“I am amazed both men allowed this. As I was saying, that stallion could have taken your life, or at least injured you greatly.
“Well, he didn’t.” She lifted her chin. “Do I look injured to you?” she said as she sat back and smiled.
Levi’s eyes scrutinized the frame of her body, and he struggled to hide a slight grin. “No, my love.” His hand rubbed tenderly along the outside of her thigh. “You are perfect, stunning, and as always, breathtakingly beautiful.”
Before she could respond, Levi pulled her onto his lap, facing him, and cradled her neck in his hands. His mouth captured hers in a passionate kiss, which Reece welcomed enthusiastically. Finally, and for the first time since their return from Armedias, Reece felt like the man she loved was back with her again.
After too few moments of being lost in their overwhelming kiss, Levi slowly withdrew from Reece and finished with a soft brush of his lips to her nose. He gazed adoringly into her vibrant eyes. “May I request something of you?” he smiled.
Reece traced his lips with a delicate fingertip. “Request?” she returned with a laugh. She ran her hands through his hair. “Yes, you may request anything of me.”
Levi’s grin broadened as he ran his hands along her hips. “With an eye toward moving forward, I believe Pemdas has mourned long enough, and I am ready to resume the plans for our wedding.”
Reece tilted her head to the side. “Will this result in all of the kings and their families returning to the palace, or will we go ahead with the private Pemdai ceremony instead?”
Levi offered Reece a mischievous grin. “Allow me two weeks so that we can honor both ceremonies in a special way.”
Reece’s eyes narrowed. “What exactly do you have in mind, Levi?”
He laughed softly in return. “It is true that all of the kings and their families will have a strong desire to take part in the celebration of our union. However, we will be on our vacation during that time.” He kissed her chin. “We will still honor a traditional wedding ceremony as performed on Earth, but our wedding will only consist of close friends and family.”
“Close friends and family?” Reece eyed him skeptically. “I can only imagine how many close friends and family the emperor’s family has,” she teased.
Levi laughed. “I will not lie, there will be quite a few in attendance, but the number of guests at our wedding will not compare to those who will show up for the celebration after we have left.” His gaze drifted toward the lake, and he laughed.
“Am I missing something?” Reece answered, confused as to what could be going on in his mind.
Levi brought his attention back to Reece. “No.” He laughed again. “I am only imagining our leaving Harrison alone to deal with a palace filled with guests for a celebration.”
“I’m sure he’ll enjoy the company.”
Levi exhaled with a laugh. “Oh, indeed. I am confident he will.” He kissed her chin. “Enough of Harrison’s future problems. We need to bring our focus back to you and me and the thrilling idea that we will be husband and wife within two weeks.”
“Wonderful idea.” Reece smiled as she ran her hands along his sturdy arms. “I do wonder, though, is it going to be awkward for the guests if we don’t attend our own Pemdai celebration party? Not only for the guests, but I am concerned about your mother. Will she be comfortable with us leaving her alone to deal with a palace full of guests?”
“My mother has conveyed to me numerous times that she is eagerly anticipating hosting this event. She does not need us in attendance in order to enjoy herself.”
“Two weeks?” Reece answered with a glint in her eyes. “You really think you can arrange all of this in two weeks?”
“I am confident I can, and with my mother’s assistance, I will.” He pressed his lips against her throat. “We have waited longer than I would have liked, anyway.”
Reece framed Levi’s face in her hands. “After everything we have been through, I couldn’t agree with you more.”
“Then it is settled!” Levi said as he scooped her into his arms and stood. He spun around with her in his arms as he nuzzled her neck, causing Reece to squeal with delight. He gently let her down and offered his arm. “Shall we return to Pasidian? I believe we have exciting news to share,” he said proudly.
Reece placed her hand in the bend of his arm. “Yes, we shall,” she answered as they walked to where Arrow and Areion were grazing.
Levi softly exhaled, compelling Reece to glance at him. “Is something wrong?” she asked, noticing his demeanor had changed to a more serious one.
Levi gazed intently at Arrow. “Everything is perfectly fine. Remind me when we return to the palace to reprimand my cousin for allowing you to ride this horse.” He was baffled that the horse had carried her safely to this location. He understood Arrow was taken with Reece, but for her to master a Guardian horse in less than a day? That was unheard of.
“How did you manage that horse anyway?” he asked as they leisurely strolled towards the horses.
“Like I said, he was wonderful. He didn’t fight me at all.”
Levi couldn’t fathom why Arrow trusted Reece the way that he did. Guardian horses in their maturity did not naturally take to one who was not a Guardian, and during the time Levi had spent working with him, Arrow seemed as though he would be the type of horse that would never allow anyone to be his master. Levi was resigned to the fact that Arrow was the most fierce and stubborn horse he had ever encountered.
He stopped and observed as Arrow grazed. “Arrow!” he bellowed.
The horse’s head instantly shot up. The only call he ever seems to respond to, Levi thought.
“Arrow, come here, boy,” Levi commanded.
Areion and Arrow both responded to Levi’s orders and walked in his direction. When Arrow looked over at Reece as she stood at Levi’s side, he stopped, grunted, and returned to grazing.
Levi then commanded the horse again. “Arrow!” he said as Areion approached his side.
Arrow began to walk slowly in their direction, as though he was inconvenienced by having to listen to Levi. Could he be any more arrogant? I swear. That obstinate horse, Levi thought as he watched the young horse meander in their direction.
“See, Levi, he’s perfect!” Reece exclaimed happily, and Arrow stopped again.
Levi folded his arms, stared intently at the horse, and shook his head. Arrow watched Levi for a moment before he brought his attention to Reece, obviously waiting for her command.
“My love, I fear you have indeed ruined that horse.” Levi laughed as he looked at Reece and leaned down to kiss her.
“I didn’t ruin him.”
Levi cocked his head to the side. “You are correct, love; he has been enamored with you from the first day he saw you, just as I have been.” He leaned over and kissed the top of her head. “It appears he will only heed your commands, and none other’s.” He reached down, took Reece’s hand, and started walking toward the horses. “Arrow is perfectly fine and has proven he is most definitely your horse.”
Levi helped Reece onto Arrow and watched the horse willfully give her control over him; control that, despite his greatest efforts while working with Arrow, Levi struggled to achieve. Reece laughed softly as Levi studied Arrow’s response to her. Before he turned to Areion, Levi took Arrow’s halter with both hands and studied the horse’s vibrant, golden eyes.
Arrow let out a grunt and tried to jerk his head free from Levi’s grip. Levi ignored his response and continued to stare into Arrow’s eyes. What do you sense in her, boy? As soon as the thought absently came into Levi’s mind, Arrow nudged Levi in his chest and pawed the ground with his massive hoof. Levi smiled knowingly. There is something unique about her, isn’t there? Something more—
Arrow jerked his head back, prompting Levi to let his halter loose. He laughed in astonishment. You may be able to read into my mind, young friend—I only wish I could read into yours.
“What are you doing? Are you giving him a telepathic Pemdai lecture or something?”
Levi grinned, turned, and hoisted himself up onto Areion. “Absolutely not. I believe Arrow is as protective of you as I.”
Reece laughed and guided Arrow alongside Areion. She stopped the horse and looked over to Levi. “Want to race?” she asked with a playful wink.
Levi reached out, gently gripped Reece around her slender neck, and leaned over to secure an enthusiastic kiss. When he released her, Reece’s eyes dazzled as she searched for air, inspiring Levi to laugh aloud. “A race between these two stallions sounds intriguing!” He watched as Reece regained her composure.
“That was cheating,” she teased.
“Indeed, it was.” Levi nodded, and then looked toward the tree-covered road that exited their estate. Before he could turn back to Reece, the loud clatter of Arrow’s hooves thundered past him. Areion immediately became impatient, forcing Levi to hold a tighter rein. He watched in astonishment and with great pride at the beauty of Reece riding Arrow so gallantly. His heart swelled with love for her while adrenaline began to course through every fiber of his body. Reece was nearly out of his sight when he loosed the reins on Areion and allowed the horse to find his stride. Areion let out a loud whinny as he gained more speed, catching up to where Reece and Arrow were swiftly galloping down the cobblestone road. Reece glanced back with a brilliant smile and called out loudly to Arrow, resulting in Areion being challenged further in their race back to the palace.
Chapter 4
The following day, Levi and Lady Allestaine left the palace before daybreak. Levi advised Reece they would be gone for close to a week as they made preparations for the ceremony and celebration party. As much as Reece didn’t want to be apart from Levi for that long, she knew she would need that amount of time in order to arrange the wedding gift she had planned for him. Once she was clad in the exquisite red dress that Levi had admired so greatly in Greece, she quickly left her bedchambers in search of Elizabeth.
“Are you ready?” Elizabeth asked in excitement as they met in the corridor.
Reece hooked her arm through her future sister-in-law’s slender one. “I am,” she responded gleefully.
“You look radiant, Reece. I am truly confident that this is going to turn out perfect,” Elizabeth said as they shuffled past the servants in the corridors.
“Whoa!” Harrison called out as he approached them in the grand foyer. He looked down at Reece’s shimmering red gown. “Is there an event I should be aware of? I believe this is the first time I have seen you wear a gown from Earth rather than a Pemdai-styled dress. I must admit, I admire your boldness, Miss Bryant. That is quite the fashion statement,” Harrison said with a wink.
Reece laughed. “Thank you. And yes, there is an event you should be aware of, because we might need your help.”
Harrison shoved both hands into his pockets and narrowed his eyes at Reece questioningly. “What exactly are you young ladies up to?”
Elizabeth’s cheeks colored lightly while Reece lifted her chin. “You’ll see. Now, we need to leave before all of the servants start wondering why their emperor’s future wife is dressed like this.”
Harrison sighed, spun on his heel, and followed Reece and Elizabeth as they walked swiftly out of the palace’s back doors.
As the three made their way down to the stables, Harrison noticed that Javian had Areion and Arrow harnessed, yet Areion was the only one saddled.
Javian looked at Reece somberly. “Miss Bryant, remember what we discussed. I am aware that Areion approves of you; however, Emperor Levi is away from the palace, and Areion has never allowed—”
“Wait just a minute, Javian,” Harrison said as he looked down at Reece. “What exactly are you planning to do with Areion?” His eyes locked sternly onto hers. “I am in no mood to go through this with you again.”
Reece tilted her head to the side and exhaled. “Harrison, please don’t start with me. I need to use Areion for the gift that I have planned for Levi. I know he will be—”
“Reece!” Harrison interrupted with a soft boom in his voice. He cleared his throat. “I was lucky that my cousin was deeply remorseful for his rude behavior toward me yesterday, which is the only reason I didn’t receive an hour-long lecture from him for allowing you to pull your little stunt with Arrow yesterday. Now he charges me to watch over the lady he loves while he is away, and you expect me to allow you to try to work your magic with Areion in some way? Absolutely not. You, my lady, have lost your mind.”
Reece laughed, “Harrison, please relax. I understand that Areion may not be as accepting as Arrow, but I have a feeling that he’ll let me do this.”
Harrison closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. When they reopened, he stared intently into her eyes. “Reece, this horse has accepted me as well as he has you, but he only did so in the company of Levi. Forgive me when I say that you do not fully understand the connection between a Guardian horse and his master, and especially the bond between Areion and Levi. I cannot and will not allow this.”
Reece looked past Harrison and softly sighed. When she looked back at his silvery-blue eyes, which were set with absolute purpose, she gazed at him in discomfiture. “I understand that this is putting everyone on edge again, but please let me have an opportunity to try.” She watched as Harrison’s stern expression toward her began to fade. “Please, Harrison, I really want to do this for Levi.”
Harrison looked over to where Areion and Arrow stood patiently waiting next to Javian. Reece let out a breath of relief when Harrison surprisingly grinned in response. “My cousin will definitely have his work cut out for him in marriage.” He turned toward Areion and gripped the horse’s reins under his chin. “Now, what exactly do you have planned for this beast?”
