Ancient Guardians: The Uninvited (20 page)

“Yes, Reece, I forbid you. I know what is best, and you will abide by my decision. I do not trust Simone; therefore, I will not permit you to be in her company.”

“You don’t have to be so demanding with me.” She retorted.

Levi’s expression darkened. “I can be any way I want. You will find your place at my side, Reece. Your speaking to me with such disrespect is inexcusable.”

Reece didn’t respond to him; instead, she slowly stepped back in absolute disgust of the man standing in front of her.

“I will not have a wife who questions me, am I clear?”

Who are you?
Reece’s heart was pounding in her chest. She experienced an array of emotions; anger, frustration, shock, disbelief and most of all, heartbreak. She continued to stare at him as tears started to well up in her eyes.

Levi approached her, and his strong hands clenched tightly around her upper arms. She flinched in pain, but he didn’t seem to care.

“Answer me,” he growled.

“No!” she snapped. “Get out of my room, now!”

Unexpectedly, Levi’s entire demeanor changed. He released his tightened grip. “Reece,” he said, in a softer voice. “I do not wish to frighten you.” He offered her a subtle grin, and reached for her face. “I love you.”

Reece abruptly jerked her head away. “I said, leave my room,” she said through clenched teeth.

Levi’s expression grew black with rage again. He snatched her arms and aggressively pulled her close to him.

Reece gasped in pain. “Levi! Stop!” She tried to wrench away, but his bruising grip prevented it. “Stop! You’re hurting me!” she demanded.

Levi ignored her and instead, brought his lips onto hers forcefully. Reece was fighting for air, and she tried to push him away. As hard as she tried to fight him, he only grew stronger against her resistance.

Tears streamed from her eyes, and when Reece believed she couldn’t take anymore, Levi was gone. Her eyes flew open, and she was in her bed. Reece gripped her forehead. “It was a dream,” she said softly.

Even though she was relieved that it was only a nightmare, she was quite disturbed by it. The dream seemed so real that she couldn’t help but to feel a little disgusted by Levi at the moment. She had to get up, get going, and get rid of these awful images in her head.

Reece managed to dismiss the dream and go through the entire day feeling more like herself; however, that night would only send another nightmare. The next morning she woke up crying, and she realized her night clothes were drenched in sweat from the horrible dream. She couldn’t figure out why the nightmares were occurring, and why her subconscious would portray Levi in such an abusive manner.

She chose not to tell anyone about the dreams. Throughout the day, the bad feelings about Levi would subside; but at night, the nightmares would always return. After three nights of these tormenting dreams, she began to make efforts to stay awake. Even though she tried, she would inevitably fail and end up face-to-face with the hostile Levi again.

After she woke up from another nightmare, she cried in desperation.
Why is this happening to me?
She thought in anguish. Half-awake and terrified to go back to sleep, she got out of bed and was startled when a dark shadow was framed in the entrance of her bedchambers. Her heart raced; it was Levi. He was home? Why was he in her room?

She didn’t think twice; she needed him desperately. She ran toward the entrance and embraced him tightly.

“Levi, I’m so relieved you’re home.” Then she sighed. “I’ve had the craziest dreams since you left.”

His hand ran tenderly through her hair. “We can’t have that now, can we?”

His voice was chilling. She glanced out of the windows at the dark, illuminating land. “What time is it, anyway?”

“It’s three o’clock in the morning.”

“Three?” She stepped back and looked up at him. “Why are you here?”

Levi’s eyes were dark as they gazed into hers. “Is it wrong that I check on you if I am concerned?”

Reece inhaled deeply; she was still dreaming. This was the possessive, hostile Levi, the unpredictable man she was growing more terrified of with every dream she had.

Wake up, Reece!
she thought, as Levi stared darkly at her. “Levi, leave,” she confidently told him.

He approached her, and Reece was frozen. His hand ran through her hair, and then he clenched it tightly, pulling so hard it caused Reece to cry out in pain. “Please, Levi,” she said in tears.

Levi’s lips seized her neck, and his other arm forced her body tightly against his. “You’ll learn soon enough not to question me,” he said in a hoarse voice.

Reece’s body trembled with fear. “Please, don’t.”

Without warning, Levi withdrew and stood tall and rigid in front of her. He clenched her chin in his strong hands, and she gulped as her eyes widened in fear. Dream or not, the pain was real. Levi felt real, and she wasn’t waking up from it.

“I’m sorry,” she said through sobbing tears.

Levi’s lips turned up slightly as he withdrew his crushing grip. “I love you, Reece,” he said, as he tenderly embraced her and gazed hungrily at her mouth. Reece became nauseated as he brought his lips to hers, securing another possessive kiss. Finally, he pulled away, and stepped toward the exit of her room. He looked back and smiled with what seemed to be satisfaction. “You were wise to offer me an apology.” He smirked. “You’re learning,” he said in a mocking tone, and then he left.

She heard the door in the other room shut, and her eyes flew open to the sun peeking through the curtains in her room. She ran both of her hands through her hair, gripping her head tightly. “Why is this happening?” she said through tears of frustration. How could she conquer this? Running in the morning seemed to be the only thing to pull her back into reality, but she had no energy to do that this morning.

“Reece?” Jasmeen called softly from the other room. “Are you okay?”

Reece quickly wiped the tears away before Jasmeen entered the room. She sat up in bed and forced a pathetic smile on her face. “I’m just missing Levi,” she lied.

Jasmeen walked over to open the windows, allowing a cool, fresh breeze to enter the room. “I have your running attire prepared for your morning jog; that seems to always lift your spirits.” she said, as she moved toward the doorway.

Reece got out of bed. “I don’t think I’m up for a run this morning,” she replied, as she slipped on her robe. “Will you get me a cup of hot tea instead?” That didn’t even sound refreshing. Nothing did.

“Absolutely,” Jasmeen answered in surprise. “Are you sure you’re feeling alright?”

“I’m fine,” Reece said, as she followed Jasmeen into the sitting room. “I think I’d rather start in on the decorations for the engagement celebration instead. Do you know where the wedding planner journal is that Elizabeth bought for me?”

“Yes, it’s in your desk,” Jasmeen said, as she walked over to Reece’s writing desk. “Let me get it for you.”

Reece had an idea. She would document these horrific dreams, from the very first one she’d had, and every one after that, and maybe it would be therapeutic. Something had to be causing this. After Jasmeen gave her the journal, Reece began writing about the bizarre dreams. She wrote in detail about the day she’d dozed off at Levi’s side, and he’d held a knife to her throat. She shuddered at the memory of that dream, and that she could still recall it as if she had just woken up from it.

It had been two weeks since Reece’s night terrors had begun. During this time, her appetite had diminished, and because of her sleep deprivation and lack of nourishment, she began to feel herself losing her grip on reality.

She became obsessed with writing in her journal, and believed that this book was the only thing that she could rely on to help her cope. Her dreams not only included Levi threatening her in some way, but they also consisted of the terrifying beings that she had seen in Scotland at the Council of Worlds.

She couldn’t remember the last time she drank anything, or ate an entire meal; all she did was pick at the food on her plate. She was sick to her stomach from lack of sleep and fear of everyone around her. The only thing that served to help her now was planning the engagement celebration with Allestaine, Elizabeth, and Simone. She spotted more than one concerned expression, but managed to make light of her exhaustion and current despair. She couldn’t tell them about what was going on; they would insist she rest, and she couldn’t do that.

Because she had not been eating, and not sleeping well, she struggled to get through each day. She sat down on the edge of her bed and strained to keep her eyes open.

Stop it, Reece! If anyone catches on, they will make you sleep! Pull it together!
she told herself. She laughed softly as she stood.
You’ve officially gone insane, Reece! Who knows? This is probably a dream, too!

As soon as she considered herself presentable, she walked out to have Jasmeen help her get ready for the day. She sat in the makeup chair, and watched as Jasmeen displayed a look of sympathy toward her. “Is there something wrong?” she snapped at the maiden.

“Reece, you appear unwell,” she said softly.

“Oh, give me a break!” Reece huffed.

The maiden remained quiet as Reece stared at the reflection of herself in the mirror. She looked pitiful; her eyes hollow, no color in her complexion, and no fullness in her face. It was a horrific sight, and most likely an image of herself from another horrifying dream. Fortunately, Jasmeen remained quiet while she went to work on Reece’s hair and makeup. But it didn’t matter how hard Jasmeen tried to cover her pathetic appearance; her face was worn. A wave of anxiety washed over Reece, knowing that the family would eventually question her about this, and then force her to rest.

Jasmeen poured Reece a hot cup of tea and gave her breakfast. “I had the staff prepare a tray of food for you this morning. I do hope you will eat.” she said, as Reece took the plate.

Reece eyed the maiden, wondering what she was really thinking.
Eat the food, and she probably won’t say anything.
Reece forced herself to take a small sip of her tea, and nibble on the muffin until the maiden left the room.

After Jasmeen left, Reece waited a few minutes before joining Jasmeen in the dressing room. Jasmeen looked at her pitifully, provoking Reece’s irritation. “Quit looking at me like that. Please, just help me get ready so I can get on with this day.” Reece ordered her.

Jasmeen’s expression didn’t change as she studied Reece.

“Jasmeen!” Reece snapped. “Stop staring at me like that! I’m fine. I’m only depressed because I miss Levi. Now, please help me get ready,” she said, hoping Jasmeen believed the lie.

After Jasmeen silently conceded to Reece’s request, she went through extra efforts of altering the dress to fit her, having to take it in a bit more than usual due to Reece’s weight loss. Once ready, Reece set off to the grand ballroom, where she and Allestaine had been working on preparations for the engagement party.

After she had been in the room alone for close to an hour not knowing where to start or what to do next, Allestaine, Elizabeth and Simone arrived.

“Reece, sweetheart? We expected you this morning for breakfast. Did you heed my advice and rest?” Allestaine asked.

Reece brushed her hair away from her face, and stared at the three impeccably dressed women. They appeared so energized, and Reece was bitterly jealous that they weren’t experiencing the same torment as she was.

It’s probably another dream anyways,
she thought, as she gazed at Allestaine’s perfection. “Oh! Well, forgive me for not heeding your advice!” she said abrasively. “I skipped breakfast because I want to make sure everything is getting done for the engagement party.” She glared at the women. “Apparently it’s only important to me these days,” she snapped.

Reece turned her back on the women, not able to look at them for another second. She proceeded to go through the many boxes of décor, and then she heard Allestaine quietly dismiss Simone and Elizabeth from the room.

Allestaine gently placed her hand on Reece’s arm, and turned her to face her. Reece exhaled in annoyance and pulled her arm from Allestaine’s gentle grip. She glared at the empress, waiting for the lecture to begin.

Allestaine’s expression didn’t falter. “Reece, I take great offense your assumption. I do not know what is happening with you, but I will not abide being spoken to in such a manner.”

“Forgive me, your majesty.” She mocked.

Reece’s hands started shaking, and her legs became weak. She wanted to scream, she wanted to rip her hair out; why couldn’t she escape this?

“Reece, you will return to your room until you’ve been examined by a physician.”

“I’m not going anywhere.” She responded firmly.

Allestaine stepped closer to Reece, “You can go on your own,” she said in authoritative tone. “Or I will have someone escort you there.”

“Please, don’t,” Reece whispered. “I’ll go.” Her heart began racing and she tried desperately to take in air but couldn’t. She wanted to run away from this sudden feeling of panic, but where? How could she get rid of it? The more she panicked the worse it became. Her palms started sweating, her entire body became weak and she started sweating profusely. She needed to leave the presence of this woman at once.

Reece fled the room before Allestaine could respond. As she stumbled through the corridors and back to her room, she had a strange feeling this wasn’t a dream. She had completely made an irrational fool out of herself with Allestaine, and there was no turning back now. But that wasn’t what she was worried about. If she went to that room, she would fall asleep. With what sanity she had left, she knew she needed help. But she couldn’t wait for the doctor in the room where the nightmares were waiting to torment her again.

She had to stay awake; she had to get outside. She stormed out to the gardens and sat on a bench facing away from the palace. She stared into the flowering bushes, and forced her tired eyes to stay open.