The Reckoning

by S. L. Morgan

Reece laughed as she accepted. She swallowed. “Nice guess, but I am simply more taken with you than the scenery tonight.”

  An arch of Levi’s brow prompted Reece to stand up and walk over to where he sat. He turned his seat so that Reece could sit on his lap. Levi kissed the side of her neck while gently running his hand along her calf and over her knee, forcing a moan of satisfaction from Reece. As Levi tenderly nipped her jawline, Reece leaned back and gazed up at the stars that glistened throughout the black sky. She was entirely whole again and looked forward to every day from this moment on with Levi at her side. They were one again, heart and soul, and never would she allow anything to take her husband from her again.

  Chapter Twelve

  A loud roar echoed throughout Reece and Levi’s room, almost causing Reece to fly off the bed in a panic. She looked over to find Levi sitting up in bed, sweating profusely while gripping each side of his head. She inhaled deeply and tried to keep calm.

  “Are you okay, Levi?” Reece asked with much concern. She ran her hand along his damp back before she placed her hand on his shoulder, encouraging him to look at her.

  Levi rested his hand over hers, exhaled with a soft moan, and shook his head. “Forgive me. I am fine,” he answered in a low voice. “Just a bizarre dream, I suppose.”

  Reece sat up next to him. “A bizarre dream about what?”

  “It was nothing.”

  “Levi, you have to talk to me. You have been through far too much mentally, and you have just awakened from that coma. I need to know if something is wrong. I don’t care if it seems insignificant to you. We need to talk about anything unusual that is going on with you, for the time being, you must know that already.”

  Levi dropped his legs over the side of the bed and disappeared into the hallway that led to their dressing area. Knowing it wasn’t like Levi to dismiss her in such a way, Reece pulled on her robe without hesitation and followed him. She found Levi scooping water into his hands and splashing it onto his face and through his hair. She silently watched as he gripped each side of the marble sink, every tense muscle in his arms tightening as he closed his eyes.

  He stood this way for a few moments before he rose up and noticed Reece watching him. “Please, forgive me,” he said with grief apparent on every distressed feature on his face.

  Reece offered him his robe. “Let’s get some fresh air. You look like you’ve just returned from a battle,” she said as she held her hand out toward him.

  Levi pulled it on and followed her out to the balcony. They sat in silence until Reece brought her attention from the dark skies above them and back to Levi. The candle he lit on their table illuminated his face, and Reece grew more concerned when his expression hadn’t changed.

  “Levi, talk to me.”

  His eyebrows knit together. “I am having trouble resting with the knowledge that Mordegrin is roaming about freely with the ability to cause such harm to so many innocent people.”

  Reece watched as Levi continued to stare blankly into the gardens beyond their balcony. His fists were clenched tight, and every part of his body was rigid with anger coursing through him.

  “I can’t believe I didn’t consider asking you this before,” Reece said, realizing what this might be stemming from. “Levi, look at me.”

  He finally turned his head, and his eyes met hers.

  “You remember the torment that you went through when we returned to the palace, don’t you? The wailing? All of it?”

  Levi’s eyes closed. “No.”

  “Do not lie to me.”

  “Reece, please, let me be. I will manage through this.”

  “I will not let you be,” Reece responded. “I can’t allow you to deal will all of this alone. We need to find a way through it, and you will talk to me.”

  Levi sighed and seemed to relax further into his chair. “Yes, I remember the torment, but I was easily able to overcome those memories and feelings. My training gives me the ability to dissociate the emotion from the event, so it does not haunt me in the way that it might some other people. That is not what is the most troubling of what I had to endure while I was under Mordegrin’s stronghold.” He looked over at her and cocked his head to the side. “The strongest desire he pressed into my mind was the urge to kill you.” He exhaled. “The dream from which I have just awakened was the result of me doing that.”

  “I see. I am not at all surprised that Mordegrin would persuade your mind to do such a thing,” Reece answered with controlled agitation. “He did nothing but torment you and me, so why wouldn’t he want to have the satisfaction of knowing that he was tormenting you by giving you a desire to kill me?”

  “I was a monster, Reece,” Levi said flatly. He rubbed his forehead. “I battled it every moment once we returned from Earth. When the transformation started to take place and I saw you,” his eyes widened at the memory, “I wanted nothing more than to end you. The temptation was overwhelming, and I couldn’t fight it away. It felt as though I was being torn apart from the inside out every time you were nearby. It was agonizing to see you alive.”

  Reece gulped. “Let’s hope you don’t have these feelings right now.”

  Levi instantly turned and reached for her, inviting her into his lap. “Absolutely not, my love. Can you now understand why I did not want to trouble you with such disturbing information?” His lips pressed against her neck. “You have nothing to fear in my presence. I want nothing more than to protect you, love you, and keep you safe for as long as you live. Please do not be disturbed by my confession. My memories are the only things that torture me now.”

  “I understand, and I hate that you were in agony for so long. Maybe Galleta can help ease the severity of these memories,” Reece responded as she brushed her hand over Levi’s hair. “Harrison asked if I had the ability to remove that part of your memory, and I told him I didn’t possess that kind of power over your mind. I tried to persuade you to forget any suffering you may have endured, but I wasn’t confident it would work. ”

  Levi tightened his embrace around her. “Do not be burdened by this. Be them good or bad, memories shape who we are and what we do. Rest assured that Mordegrin will learn the hard way that he toyed with the wrong man’s mind.” Levi rested his cheek against Reece’s. “Now, enough talk about torture and revenge. You must look at this,” he said as he looked up into the sky. “The sun is about to rise.”

  Reece turned and leaned back into Levi’s arms, resting the back of her head on his chest. “The greatest artist in the universe couldn’t capture the beauty of Pemdas.”

  “There is nothing more beautiful than to watch a sunrise, whether in Pemdas or on Earth. It is majestic in every way.”

  “I have to say that I think its majesty is definitely amplified in Pemdas, and it is the perfect way for us to start our first day together again.”

  That afternoon, after a private breakfast in their gardens, Levi and Reece made preparations to return to the palace. Once in the palace courtyard, Levi turned Areion over to a stableman before Reece’s carriage came to a halt. He dismissed the footman and offered his hand to help her from the carriage. He brought her arm up into his as they ascended the steps leading up into the palace.

  “I must check in with Harrison and my father at the command center. You are welcome to join me, but if you’d rather do something more interesting, I understand.”

  Reece squeezed Levi’s arm. “Actually, I think I will join you. I’m curious to find out if they have any new information about Mordegrin’s whereabouts.”

  They entered the command center, and Harrison was the first to greet them. “And the saying has been proven true,” he said with a beaming expression, “true love does indeed conquer all.” He clapped Levi on the shoulder and offered Reece a wink. “How does it feel to have this old man back? Your glowing expressions lead me to believe you have certainly made up for lost time.”

  Reece lifted her chin, even though the heat in her cheeks was betraying her. “That must be be
cause of all of the heavy furniture rearrangings we have been doing. It is a very big house, you know, lots of furnishings.”

  Harrison and Levi laughed in unison. “Is there any news on Mordegrin?” Levi inquired.

  Harrison nodded and led them toward a holographic screen that Vincent was intently studying. He pointed at various locations on the map. “We have tracked him all night. He was initially spotted here.” Harrison glanced over at Levi. “We almost captured him, but as usual, he vanished.”

  Levi ran a hand through his hair as he walked over to the images Harrison was pointing out. Reece watched as he remained silent and studied each mark that was placed where Mordegrin had been spotted. “There has to be a reason he keeps showing up at these locations,” Levi finally spoke. He looked over at Harrison. “You believe he is waiting for me to return to lead him to the stone?”

  Harrison sighed. “He seems to be aware that you are no longer under his curse.”

  Levi placed both hands on the table and continued to study the map. “You informed me that he turned two Guardians into stone, correct?”

  “Indeed; however, he has not harmed any Guardian that has come into contact with him since then.”

  Levi rose up and crossed his arms. “He is a methodical, calculating being, so we must figure out his methods. I will not rest until he is captured.”

  “Unless we can put some kind of tracking device on him, click our heels together three times, and follow him every time he vanishes to a different location, I haven’t the slightest insight as to how we will capture him,” Harrison countered.

  “Study this map. Surely, there is a way we can get ahead of him by learning his pattern of jumping from place to place. These are major cities. Why is he always appearing in them?”

  Vincent rubbed his chin. “He must be planning something, and every time our men catch up with him, they are interfering with his plans.”

  Reece remained silent as the men discussed capturing Mordegrin. It was a relief to have Levi back and involved with plans for capturing him.

  Levi looked over at Harrison. “It appears that you and I must make arrangements to track him.”

  Harrison crinkled his forehead and raised his eyebrows quizzically. “Until you are one hundred percent again, and after your child is born—”

  “Harrison!” Levi interrupted him. “I am perfectly fine. I will not waste another second with this looming threat on Earth. I will be here for the birth of our child, but until then—”

  “Until then?” Harrison barked back. “It is obvious that Reece will not argue with you over this, but I will. Right now we are tracking the beast, and he has not harmed anyone or anything. The last thing we need is for you to play superhero the day after you wake up from a complete and utter mind manipulation, coupled with total amnesia. You do realize that Mordegrin will be ready and willing to capture you and start his freak show mind control all over again, do you not? He wants the location to the stone, and he will stop at nothing to get it.”

  Levi closed his eyes in frustration. “Fine. Two weeks. At that time, I will be fully prepared to return to Earth. We should start making plans now, as I will be the bait.”

  “Levi,” Reece finally spoke out. “You just came back.”

  Levi turned to Reece and studied her before he let out a breath, his war-like expression changing in that instant. He walked over to her and took her hand into his. “I understand your concern, but Reece, this may be our only option.”

  Reece closed her eyes. “If you want to use yourself as bait,” she growled, “do it after our child is born.” Tears filled her eyes, “Do it after you have stared into your child’s eyes for the first time, realizing it may be your last.”

  Levi looked away from Reece. “It is my duty,” he said darkly as he brought an authoritative expression back to Reece. “It always has been. It is what we do. It is what I do. The Guardians’ job is to protect Earth and all dimensions. It is our legacy. Can you not understand?”

  He’s right, Reece thought as she nodded. “I’m sorry. I really do understand, but it’s too soon!”

  Levi embraced Reece. “I know. I need you to know that I want nothing more than to spend the next few months being with you and our baby; however, we cannot wait to eliminate this imminent threat. Mordegrin is a ticking time bomb, and he needs to be stopped.”

  “Allow me to offer a suggestion,” Harrison interrupted. “We will make plans to capture Mordegrin by using you to draw him in.” His expression grew somber. “But we will not follow through with the plan until we are completely sure that it will work, because if it doesn’t, this will be a suicide mission. And if Mordegrin overtakes your mind again, he will get the stone and destroy all of us.”

  Levi nodded. “Very well.”

  Harrison laughed as he looked at Reece’s blank expression. “We get him back for one day, and he wants to go tangle with the darkness again.”

  Levi rolled his eyes. “I want to destroy that creature, and we will find a way.”

  “Until we find a way, let’s inform your father of these plans. I believe Galleta is also on her way to evaluate your current mental state.” Harrison grinned. “And after this conversation, I am curious as to what she discovers.”

  Levi sighed. “What are you talking about?”

  Harrison coughed out a laugh. “I am agreeing to plans that will eventually lead to a suicide mission, and possibly the destruction of all dimensions. Unless you have some mystical power that I am unaware of, you need your mind evaluated.” He quipped as he walked out in search of the emperor.

  That evening, Levi was grappling with the internal rage that grew within him. He struggled to remain in high spirits and join in with everyone in the small celebration that his mother arranged with his uncle, aunt, and the Hamilton family. Whenever he became overwhelmed with the desire to return to the command center and gather current information about Mordegrin, he would bring his attention to Reece, who sat at his side. He let her presence calm him as it always had. It was obvious that she was troubled from the earlier conversation he had with Harrison in the command center and that she was struggling to enjoy the celebration as well. As difficult as it was to fight this inward feeling of revenge that Levi was craving, he had to gather himself and make it his priority to ensure that Reece was okay and enjoying herself.

  “It appears as though there is one who wishes I would have never regained my memories of you.” Levi laughed as he reached over and brushed his fingers over Mozart’s head.

  Reece smiled at Levi, and he was grateful to see a glint of humor in her eyes again. “He may still be jealous of you, but he and Lizzy have become close friends over these last months. He spends time with her as well.”

  “I feel as though I have stolen your pet from you,” Elizabeth grinned. To Levi’s surprise, his sister’s expression changed as her eyes followed a young man entering the room.

  Did I miss something? Levi thought.

  As Caleb walked over to Navarre, Elizabeth’s eyes never left the young man.

  Levi wasn’t the only one who was discreetly watching Elizabeth’s reaction to the man’s presence. Levi leaned over to Reece. “Is there something I should know? It appears as though my sister is taken with Caleb.”

  Reece shook her head and slanted a look at Levi with a surprised expression. “This is a first for me too,” she whispered back.

  “Do you still have the ability to read emotions?”

  Reece nodded as she nudged Levi in his side. “I’m not intruding.”

  Levi let out a breath of frustration. As her older brother, Levi had always been protective of Elizabeth, and in truth, he hadn’t imagined what his reaction would be to the day where she would become interested in a man.

  “Lizzy!” Harrison blurted out, apparently aware of her silently watching the Guardian across the room.

  Elizabeth’s cheeks colored red as she snapped out of her daze and looked over to where Harrison was smiling mischievously at her.
Levi carefully watched the expressions on Angeline and Harrison’s faces. Harrison was clueless, but his sister’s closest friend knew something.

  “Yes, Harrison?” Elizabeth answered with a shy smile.

  “Forgive me for not inquiring as of late, but how were your travels while studying abroad?”

  Elizabeth swallowed hard as her eyes quickly strayed over to where Caleb stood and back to Harrison’s beaming expression. “It was lovely. Of course, I wished I could have joined all of you on Earth, but I discovered a lot about the history of the Gulden Kingdom.”

  “A magnificent kingdom, is it not?” Harrison smiled and pointed toward Caleb as Angeline shot him a glare. “You must know that Caleb over there has an excellent brother who took the throne and rules that kingdom.”

  “Yes,” Levi spoke out, bringing his sister’s attention to him. “May I inquire as to how His Majesty is doing these days?” Elizabeth fidgeted with her hands. It was obvious she was uncomfortable, but Levi didn’t care. “You did stay at their estate, did you not, Lizzy?”

  Elizabeth let out a breath. “Indeed, I did, and I was fortunate to make new acquaintances while I was there.”

  Harrison laughed aloud. “I’ll say. Might one of those acquaintances be in this room with us at the moment?”

  “Harrison, stop prying,” Angeline finally spoke out.

  “Ah, ha!” Harrison responded. “Mr. Evans,” he called out from across the room.

  Levi sat forward, watching the young man approach. “Yes, commander.”

  “Have you enjoyed your leave from Earth?” Harrison asked, trying to keep a straight face.

  To Levi’s utter disbelief, Caleb walked over to a frozen Elizabeth and kissed the back of her hand politely before he sat beside her and brought an arm around her. Levi stiffened, and he quickly glanced back to find his father watching the two with a knowing grin, and his mother, who wore an approving smile.

  At least the kid sought out their approval first! Levi thought in disillusionment.

  “Well,” Reece broke the silence with a cheerful voice, “it looks as though our little Mozart will be jealous of another man. Lizzy, this is a delightful surprise.”