The Reckoning

by S. L. Morgan

  “Yes, Your Majesty.” The three women curtseyed and swiftly fled the area.

  “The emperor desires for us all to meet with him within the next hour or so,” King Hamilton told Harrison. “Ensure that my daughter is safe on your ride with her.”

  “I suspect this horseback ride will be like the first time you rode with Angeline?” Reece teased.

  “Try not to get slapped this time,” Levi said with a knowing grin.

  “Fortunately, I have outgrown my—” Harrison stopped himself as he took notice of Angeline’s approach.

  She gripped King Hamilton’s arm, stood on her toes, and gave her father a quick kiss on his cheek. “Thank you, Father. I believe I shall enjoy every minute of this.”

  “Go on, young lady,” King Hamilton said with a smile. “You waste time standing here with us.”

  Harrison offered his arm and led her down toward the stables. “I did not realize that riding a Guardian horse would be so thrilling for you, Angie.”

  She looked straight ahead. “You have no idea how I have longed for this.”

  Believe me, you have no idea how I have longed to have you on my arm again, Harrison thought as they approached the stables.

  “Master Harrison, Miss Hamilton,” Javian greeted them.

  “Javian, please use the saddle that will fit two passengers comfortably.” He smiled at Javian’s questioning expression. “It has been her greatest desire to ride on a Guardian horse, and King Hamilton insists.”

  “I will have him prepared immediately,” Javian said as he turned to retrieve Harrison’s horse.

  Angeline removed her hand from Harrison’s arm. “Are you sure you are okay with this? You appeared as though you needed time alone earlier.”

  Harrison gazed down at Angeline, transfixed by her innocent beauty. “To be able to offer such a beautiful young woman one of her greatest desires, well, I would be a foolish man to turn that down.”

  Angeline quickly diverted her eyes from his. Fortunately, given their past, he knew why. Angeline had already admitted to him that she had always been attracted to him, and that was definitely working in his favor. He planned to do exactly what he did on his first ride with Angeline. He would bring her to their meadow and bring back the conversation they once shared together. Only this time, he would control his emotions, and if there were a possibility she would desire his kiss, he would not allow his emotions to overrule his better judgment and risk ruining everything.

  Once Saracen was prepared, Harrison helped an overjoyed Angeline onto the horse. Harrison was promptly in the saddle positioned behind Angeline. To have his arms wrapped around the woman he loved again—his wife—was more revitalizing than he could ever explain.

  He slowly backed Saracen away from the stables. “Are you comfortable?”

  “Very much so. Saracen is an amazing horse.”

  The horse grunted in response as they began trotting away from the palace.

  “Get over yourself, boy,” Harrison called out. “Arrogant beast.”

  As Angeline laughed, Harrison allowed the horse to gain speed as he headed out toward Pasidian River and to what Harrison had claimed as their meadow.

  After dismounting Saracen, Harrison guided Angeline to the exact location where they once sat together in conversation. Harrison reclined on his side, facing Angeline, and let this moment begin to unwind the nerves he consistently held after losing Angeline.

  Everything fell into place, as it had in the past. Even though Harrison knew of Angeline’s history, he still marveled at her beauty as she talked about it. When Angeline smiled at him, halting his breath, she chuckled. “Here I am going on and on about myself when all I desire is to hear about you serving on Earth and your experiences guarding Miss Bryant. What is the planet like? Is it like ours?”

  Harrison nodded and answered her questions as he had in the past. Once he finished, he gazed at the exquisite beauty sitting in front of him and couldn’t resist tucking a loose, curly lock of hair behind her ear. Angeline froze, and her eyes locked onto his.

  “Angeline, you have grown into a remarkable young woman,” he said in a soft voice.

  Angeline smiled, yet he could tell she was nervous and uncomfortable. He stood and reached his arm down toward her. “Come with me,” he said, remembering how this all played out before.

  He brought her to the large trees that he and Levi used to climb as children. Their conversation was identical as it was in the past. Angeline’s back was to the tree, and the exact same opportunity to kiss her was playing out again. Harrison inhaled deeply, trying to calm himself. All of this may have been playing out as it did in their past, but this was the part where he almost lost her. He wasn’t that man anymore; however, this was his wife. As he stood there staring at Angeline’s inviting lips, wondering if he should act on his deepest desire and place his on hers, Angeline’s longing expression changed.

  Harrison stepped back. “Forgive me if I have made you uncomfortable in any way.”

  Angeline shook her head and looked at their surroundings. “This is strange,” she muttered. She looked at Harrison with mysterious eyes. “This is going to sound really weird, but—” She stopped herself. “Never mind,” she laughed. “I think I must be losing my mind.”

  Harrison tilted his head. “You can tell me anything, Angie. Believe me, I can tell you stories that would make you feel as though I had lost my mind as well.”

  She glanced down at the ground, and then back at Harrison. “Is it odd to admit that I feel as though we have done this before?”

  Harrison’s heart stopped. “Not in the slightest. May I ask why you feel that way?”

  Angeline’s eyes were focused on his. “I do not know. It just feels as though we have done this before. I cannot explain it.”

  Harrison was at a loss for words. He had no idea why Angeline would be experiencing such feelings, and he couldn’t come out and tell her that they had been in this exact situation in the past and he had time traveled from the future.

  “I believe it is natural to have these feelings. Many people have claimed such things and refer to it as déjà vu.”

  She shook her head. “I have experienced déjà vu before, but this is different, much more real than that. I have to be losing my mind. How very odd.”

  Harrison’s brow crinkled. “You have not lost your mind, Angie. Do you recall anything else?”

  She reached for his cheek, her touch burning against his flesh. “We kissed?” she questioned.

  Harrison impulsively covered her hand with his. How do I respond to this? he thought as he instinctively turned his head to slide the palm of her hand to his lips.

  Angeline slowly withdrew her hand, forcing Harrison’s eyes to open.

  “What if I told you that I believe everything that has taken place since Marian arrived with the emperor and it has made me question many things? I have had strange dreams since I was first introduced to her.” She swallowed hard. “Harrison, the only reason I believe I can trust telling you these things is that somehow I feel that you are the only one who would understand.”

  “May I ask what your dreams are about?”

  Her gaze penetrated through him, and then her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “I should not have said anything,” she said as she looked away.

  “Please, tell me,” he pleaded as he brought her eyes to meet his.

  “I dream only of you and me,” she said, eyes unwavering. “Since this began occurring, I feel as though I want to be in your presence all of the time. Why would I feel that way?”

  Harrison said nothing.

  “I am so sorry,” Angeline said as she walked briskly past him.

  Harrison recovered quickly enough to halt her by tenderly gripping her arm. He immediately saw the embarrassment in her face and smiled sympathetically at her.

  “Harry, please,” she said in a shaky voice. “I cannot imagine how uncomfortable my confession has made you feel. Perhaps—”

  Harriso
n silenced her by sliding his hand around her neck and placing his lips down on hers. To his utmost surprise, Angeline didn’t push away and was not hesitant. Instead, she wrapped her arms tightly around him and returned his kiss with urgency, sending shivers down Harrison’s spine. He fully accepted without question. Her soft moan spurred him on as he held her closer and tighter. Angeline gently ended their kiss, gasping for air. Just when Harrison believed their moment was over, Angeline pulled him close again and brought his lips down onto hers. Harrison’s legs became weak with desire, and all he could do in response was gently guide her to lie on the soft meadow ground and indulge himself further in their kiss.

  Her hands ran firmly along his back, and her confident lips left his and ran a fiery trail along his jawline and throat. It wasn’t long before Harrison brought his mouth to her décolletage, savoring the fragrance of her skin that he delighted in so much. Angeline’s hands ran through his hair as Harrison ran his lips over her chest and back to her throat.

  “I have missed you, Angie,” he said hoarsely.

  “Tell me this is not another dream,” she whispered.

  Harrison froze and brought his eyes to meet her glazed ones.

  “It is,” she frowned.

  Harrison ran his hand over her hair. “This is certainly not a dream,” he said, sitting her up. He gripped his forehead. “How is this happening?” he questioned.

  “Harrison?”

  He looked over at her. “There is so much that I wish to tell you, but I fear it would frighten you.”

  “I have been having vivid dreams of sharing a life with you, and it all seems perfectly real. I wake up every morning puzzled by my feelings, and I do not understand what is happening to me. If you know something about it, you must tell me at once.”

  Harrison looked up at the ominous sky, knowing the snow could fall upon them at any moment. He took his greatcoat off and wrapped it around her.

  “Okay.” Harrison looked at her with pleading eyes. “I do not know where to begin or how to say this without you thinking I have gone completely mad.”

  “I will keep an open mind, Harry. I know something is not right—not normal. Just give me the facts. Why am I feeling this way?”

  Harrison stood, crossed his arms, and looked down at Angeline. “The facts?”

  “The facts.”

  As tiny snowflakes started to fall, Harrison unexpectedly smiled at Angeline who stood and faced him.

  “I believe these dreams you are having are somehow connected to the future that we shared together. We are married.” He watched as Angeline’s expression remained unflinching. “Levi, Reece, Emperor Navarre, and I have returned from the future. The young woman you know as Marian is the child of Levi and Reece—they are married as well. Marian has the ability to travel through time, and with this ability she was able to bring us back to this date in time to stop a betrayal that will eventually end in the destruction of Earth, Pemdas, and all of her other dimensions.”

  Angeline’s stared ahead blankly.

  “Please say something,” Harrison said as he ran his hand through his hair. “I know this is impossible to believe, but I assure you, it is true.”

  He watched as tiny white snowflakes sprinkled and glittered atop of her auburn curls. Her eyes glistened as a small smile drew up in the corner of her mouth. “I was pregnant with twins.”

  “How can you remember?” Harrison whispered.

  As the snow began to fall heavier, her smile widened. She framed his face with her hands. “You are my husband?”

  He nodded as tears filled his eyes, and without another word, Angeline stood on her toes and pressed her lips against his.

  “I do not understand how you can know this. We need to talk to Galleta and Marian; perhaps they can tell us,” he said breathlessly.

  “Perhaps it is a miracle,” she beamed.

  “You have no idea how much of a miracle this truly is.”

  “Why did I not come back from the future with you? Why was it only the five of you, and no one else?”

  Angeline’s death flashed before Harrison’s eyes, sending a stabbing pain through his chest.

  “What aren’t you telling me?”

  “With Galleta’s help, Marian has a way of showing everyone the memories of what happened leading up until the time that we returned.”

  “Who has seen these memories?”

  “Your father, my father, Samuel, and Lady Allestaine are the only ones who are aware of what has happened.”

  “May I see them?” Angeline asked. “I am certain it will help me understand more clearly.”

  “Angie.” Harrison gazed sorrowfully down at her. “There are some things that I do not wish you to see.”

  “Did I…did I die?” she asked flatly.

  Harrison looked away from her.

  “Look at me, Harry.”

  “Yes. An alien creature came through our camp, and before we could stop it.” He closed his eyes as a tear slipped down his cheek. “I couldn’t stop it, Angie. I couldn’t save you or our unborn children. I was too late.” He cleared his throat. “I do not want you to bear witness to it.”

  Angeline wiped the tears from Harrison’s cheek. “Do not worry about me regarding that. I want to see the life we had together, and the love we shared.” She ran her fingers over the crease in his brow. “That is more important than anything else. Please allow me that gift.”

  Harrison’s brought her closer to him. “As I said the day I committed my life to you—I will never deny you anything.”

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Reece, Marian, and Levi sat on the sofas in Reece’s private sitting room when a soft knock on the door halted their conversation.

  “Give me a moment,” Levi said. “At this hour, I believe that could be only one person, and he had better have a good explanation as to why he missed our meeting with the emperor earlier today.”

  When Reece spied Harrison walking past Levi holding hands with Angeline, Reece looked beyond both of their bright expressions and over to Levi. When his eyes met hers, they were wide and set with confusion.

  “Forgive our intrusion. I know this is the only time you are able to enjoy yourselves as a family,” Harrison said as he approached where Marian and Reece stood, both speechless by Harrison’s admission of their being a family in front of Angeline.

  Reece froze when Angeline hugged her and stood back smiling at her in a peculiar way.

  “Angie?” Reece questioned as she slowly returned the hug.

  Angeline stepped back and beamed. “Yes, Reece.”

  “Um.” She looked over at Levi’s bewildered expression. “Harrison, would you—”

  “Angie remembers us,” Harrison blurted out.

  “Wait, what? Remembers us?” Reece responded. “Remembers us?”

  “Not exactly as you might think.” Harrison looked at Angeline’s beaming face. “Her memories are actually dreams of our lives we shared together before we returned to this time period.”

  “Yes.” Angeline smiled. “It all started the day I met Marian. I began having dreams about Harrison, and they kept getting more and more detailed and vivid. I told Harrison about them, and he told me everything.”

  Levi walked over to the fireplace while the rest of the group sat and turned to Marian for answers.

  Marian placed her hand over her heart and smiled. “I do not know how this could have occurred.” Marian stopped herself and glanced over at Harrison, who had sat across from them and placed his arm around Angeline. “Unless…”

  Harrison pulled his arm from around Angeline and leaned forward. “Unless what?”

  “What were you thinking about when we went through the Bermuda Triangle together?” Marian asked.

  Harrison looked at Angeline and covered her hand with his own. “All I have ever thought about since you came to us is getting my wife back. I had just lost her, and I desperately didn’t want to lose her again. I know that when we were entering the triangle, I was
thinking about seeing her again and knowing that she would have no memory of us.”

  Marian stared at Harrison skeptically. “When we went through the wormhole, I remember holding onto my grandfather’s hand for his thoughts to guide us back to this moment in time.”

  “How does that explain why Angeline would remember her future?” Harrison asked.

  Levi walked over to the fireplace, draped an arm on the mantle, and looked over at Harrison. “Is there a possibility that you held on to Marian when we passed through the triangle?”

  Harrison’s lips twisted. “The last I remember, I was standing next to her. I have no other memories aside from snapping awake into this reality.”

  “I am trying to recall the journey to this time period,” Marian said distantly. She gradually rubbed her upper arm. “Someone did grip my arm to support me as we came through.” She looked at Reece, and then to Levi. “It wasn’t either of you; you both stood behind me.”

  “Then it had to be Harrison,” Reece spoke up.

  “I must have harnessed your thoughts of wishing Aunt Angie would remember you,” Marian softly added.

  Angeline smiled warmly. “Aunt Angie?” She gripped Harrison’s hand. “How is it that I have no memory of Marian?”

  “You were gone before her arrival,” Harrison said in a low voice.

  “Okay,” Reece sat up. “This kind of makes sense, even though nothing about any of this actually makes any sense.” She nervously laughed. “Marian explained to us that when she first learned to travel through time, she was thinking desperately about wanting to know the future, and then she jumped a day ahead in time.” She looked at Marian. “You needed all of us to focus on this period in time as we went through the triangle, but it seems as though Harrison was thinking about his memories of Angie instead. Maybe that’s why her dreams began after you met.”

  “I suppose Uncle Harrison’s thoughts must have been so strong that he willed them into mine, and somehow when I made contact with Aunt Angie, I transferred them into her subconscious mind,” Marian speculated.