Ancient Guardians: The Uninvited (21 page)

L
evi had successfully finished his training, and he couldn’t be more relieved to leave Queen Galleta’s estate and return to the palace. Finally, the palace came into view, and Levi’s anticipation to be home with Reece was stronger than ever. He halted Areion abruptly when he saw his mother standing at the top of the steps in the courtyard. He dismounted quickly when he discerned the look of distress on her face.

“What has happened? Why are you out here?” he asked as he bounded up the steps to where she stood.

“I was awaiting the physician in the sitting room when I noticed you return to the palace. I wanted to speak with you before you reported to the command center. I am so thankful you are home; Reece is ill.”

“She’s ill? How so? What’s going on?” he demanded.

“She hasn’t been eating or sleeping—”

“Where is she?” he interrupted.

“She is resting in her room.”

Before his mother could say another word, Levi charged past her and headed toward Reece’s room. When he arrived at the room, Jasmeen informed him that she hadn’t seen Reece since she had left for breakfast that morning. Levi left the room swiftly, in search of where Reece may have gone.

He maintained a calm demeanor as he searched the areas where he believed she may have gone. As he strode through the halls, he encountered a servant. “Miss Talinger, do you know the whereabouts of Miss Bryant?”

The servant offered him a proper curtsy. “Master Levi, I have not seen her, sir.”

Before she rose up, Levi had already thanked her and continued down the hallway.
Where could she have gone?
he thought in concern. He realized that he was wasting his time searching for her in the palace. Reece always found her solace outdoors, and that must be where he would find her. He promptly made his way toward the doors that exited out to the back garden of the palace.

As he stepped onto the balcony, he gazed out toward the pastures to see if she might be with Arrow. She wasn’t there, so he briskly strode down the steps. He was almost out of the garden when he spied Reece sitting on a bench, facing away from him. He sighed in relief as he walked over to her. On his approach, his heart nearly stopped when she looked up at him with seemingly lifeless eyes.

Reece stared up into Levi’s darkened expression, and feared that this was yet another nightmare.

“My love?” He spoke softly, as he knelt in front of her.

She smiled at him, hoping he would not scold her as he always did in these terrifying dreams.

He carefully took her hands into his, and she trembled at his soft touch; she couldn’t remember a time when she’d encountered a dream in which his strong hands were not gripping hers painfully. Tears began to fill her eyes as she took comfort in the sight of his hands tenderly holding hers; but if this was a dream, she knew at any moment they would tighten their embrace. They were so beautiful; everything about Levi was beautiful—or at least, it used to be.

“Reece? I need you to look at me.”

His voice was becoming stern. She inhaled, waiting for him to lash out at her. She couldn’t look at him; she was too afraid to take her eyes off of the peaceful sight of his hands gently holding hers.

He placed his index finger under her chin and brought her eyes up to meet his. The gesture startled her. She flinched, frightened of what would happen next. She stood abruptly and tried to flee from him, but he effortlessly prevented her escape. Levi stood in front of her and embraced her.
No, please…please don’t hurt me,
she thought, as he held her close. She did everything in her power to free herself from him, but as always, she was powerless.

“Reece, I beg of you. Please stop fighting me. You are unwell, and I need you to communicate with me so I can help you.”

Help me? You caused this!
Reece thought angrily. She was at her limit with these nightmares of Levi controlling her. “I am fine, Levi! Why can’t anyone see that? Leave me alone,” she snarled in a weak voice.

“You are not okay, Reece,” he answered. “Something is severely wrong. You must return to your room so the physician can evaluate your condition.”

Reece closed her eyes. There was no way out of this; he would eventually force her to do his will. “Are you ordering me to my room, Levi?” she said with disgust.

Levi’s expression was unreadable, and Reece cringed in fear.

“A physician should arrive at any time now. You must be examined.”

“Fine! Get out of my way!”

She tried to walk past him, but he clutched her arm to prevent her passing.

“I will not get out of your way,” he said in a stern voice. “You are in no condition to walk alone.”

She jerked her arm away from him. Strangely, she was successful, unlike in her nightmares. She turned to leave, but her weak legs gave out on her. The next thing she knew she was cradled in Levi’s arms.

With the last of her energy depleted, she laid her head against Levi’s shoulder; she then experienced something that she never noticed in her horrific dreams, the fragrance she loved so much about him was present.
Is this the real Levi?
she thought as his rich, masculine scent soothed her entirely.

It really is him! This isn’t a nightmare!
She tried to reach up and touch his face to be sure this wasn’t a nightmare, but her arms were too heavy.
No! No! Don’t go to sleep, Reece.
She couldn’t keep her eyes open, and her mind was fading. In a panic, she tried to scream his name so that he wouldn’t let her fall asleep. Nothing came out. She used every last bit of energy she had to open her eyes. It was only for a brief moment, and then everything went black.

Levi carried Reece directly to her bed. Jasmeen met him at the entrance to her room, while still preparing for the doctor’s arrival. His heart was pounding in his chest because of what was taking place; but as much as it disturbed him to see Reece in this condition, he would not let emotion cloud his ability to ensure that she was properly cared for, and that her health was restored.

As soon as Reece was safely on her bed, he ordered the maiden to bring a tray of food and water. When Jasmeen reentered the room, Levi turned to Reece; as much as he wanted her to rest, it was painfully obvious that she needed nourishment and hydration more. He carefully brushed the back of his hand over her pale face to awaken her. His heart twisted in pain, because even as she slept, she flinched away from his touch.

“I need you to wake, love,” he said softly.

Her eyes snapped open, and she stared at Levi fearfully. He instantly reacted to her expression, to assure her that he would not hurt her.
What has happened to you?
he thought as he went to embrace her. If he would have known the reaction it would cause, he would have never considered the gesture.

As he reached out to her, her eyes became wild with anger. “Get away from me! Get out of my room!” she snarled.

Levi’s heart was breaking; he couldn’t imagine what was causing her irrational behavior. The physician needed to arrive, and soon. He reached for the tray of food, and placed it on her bed in front of her.

“Tell me what happened, Reece.” He asked with concern.

“I said leave my room.”

“Very well, if you are not going to tell me what’s wrong, then you must at least eat something.”

“I’m not hungry, Levi!” she snapped.

“Your body desperately requires nourishment, and I will stay here with you until I am confident that you will eat.”

Reece looked at him with disgust as she reached for a morsel on her plate. “How much do I need to eat before you will leave?”

As much as Levi wanted to appease her and leave, he wouldn’t. Reece depended on him to help her, whether she wanted him to or not. Her feeble appearance gave him even more strength to fight this appalling situation head on. He stared at Reece as he called for Jasmeen.

The maiden entered the bedchamber promptly.

“Find out where the physician is.” He commanded.

He watched as Reece timidly placed small crumbs of food in her mouth. Levi pulled the chair to her bed, settled himself into it, and waited.

He studied Reece’s condition. It appeared that she had not eaten or slept since he had been away. He started to wonder if she was struggling with a severe form of depression, brought on by being forced to live in Pemdas. She had dark circles around her sunken eyes, and it was quite obvious that she had lost a significant amount of weight.

He wanted so badly to lean forward and drop his head into his hands, but he maintained his composure. A few more minutes passed, and finally, Allestaine and the doctor were admitted into the room.

Levi dismissed himself, leaving Reece in his mother’s care so that the doctor could examine her.

As he walked into Reece’s sitting room, he encountered his father. Navarre held a confident expression, and Levi was grateful for it.

“How is she? We had trusted that when she saw you again, it would have helped her. Is she any better?” Navarre asked.

Levi shook his head.

“Son, your mother and I are perplexed by this as well. She never mentioned she was unwell. I must say, she has done an excellent job of concealing everything from us this entire time.”

Levi walked over and sat numbly on the sofa. He stared into the flames of the healthy fire in the fireplace. Something about the way they danced and flickered calmed his mind.

“Has anybody said that she’s been acting strange?” Levi asked.

“Your mother only noticed the severity of her condition this morning.” Navarre said as he sat on the sofa.

Levi looked at his father. “This doesn’t make sense; why would she stop eating?”

“We will find out as soon as Doctor Fletcher finishes his examination.”

“You’re right. Has Harrison returned to Pemdas?” He asked, changing the subject.

“No, I have not seen him in over a week.” Navarre said with a laugh. “It appears he threw himself into assignments on Earth until you returned to the palace. He mentioned more than once that he was not about to spend his days lounging around a house full of women chattering about an engagement party.”

Levi laughed faintly, and brought his attention back to the flames in the fireplace.

He ran both of his hands through his hair, and exhaled. “I wish I hadn’t been gone for so long.”

Before they could say anything more, the doctor appeared. Levi and Navarre stood to greet the man.

“She is resting now,” Doctor Fletcher said. “She was severely deprived of nourishment, and critically in need of rest. Her hydration levels were low as well. I have given her a remedy to replenish her health, and the effects are already starting to take effect.”

“Did you discover anything that would have caused her lack of appetite and rest? Did she mention anything to you?” Levi asked.

The doctor shook his head. “I found no underlying causes; she’s in excellent health. I believe that stress may have been a factor in all of this. I understand that she was heavily involved in planning the engagement party. Also, you should consider that she is from Earth, and not a natural resident of Pemdas. That is a monumental transition for anyone to be required to make.”

“What are your orders for us to help her recover?” Navarre asked.

“I have already advised her that I do not want her out of bed for at least a day or two. She may not remember our conversation when she wakes up, so she needs to be reminded of that. She must rest. The remedy I concocted for her promotes this, so she will be asleep until morning. When she has recovered, she must be careful not to overexert herself in any way. Other than that, she will be feeling renewed by morning. Simply make sure she is cautious with her activities over the next few weeks.”

After giving further instructions to them, the doctor was escorted out. When Allestaine stepped into the sitting room, she explained to Levi that she agreed with Doctor Fletcher’s assessment and suggested to Levi that they postpone the engagement celebration.

Levi agreed somewhat, but he couldn’t remove the idea from his mind that Reece could be having a hard time living in Pemdas. He understood exactly what the doctor implied about her not easily adjusting to Pemdas; he had considered that himself.
Is she missing her home on Earth? This must be why she was so upset with me earlier.
Levi thought.