The Reckoning

by S. L. Morgan

  “Emperor?”

  “Yes, Harrison.”

  “May I—”

  “Allow me.” King Hamilton stood. “With your permission, Emperor Navarre, I have a special announcement to make.”

  Harrison exhaled slowly in relief when King Hamilton took the initiative to break the news. He looked across the table at Angeline, who wore a warm, confident smile on her face.

  “A few days ago, Mr. Harrison Oxley approached me and asked for my blessing to marry my daughter, Angeline. After watching Harrison court my daughter, and upon noticing the drastic changes in his personality which virtually happened overnight,” he said as he smiled subtly at Marian, “I knew I could not ask for a better man to fulfill my daughter’s every wish. I am confident that she will be loved beyond measure, and these two will have a life filled with amazing and exciting events. Ladies and gentlemen, it is my great honor to announce the engagement of Harrison and Angeline.”

  “What!” Julian blurted out with a look of disbelief.

  Julian started to shove off from the table and stand up when Levi leaned in and whispered something into his ear that not only softened the man’s expression but changed the dark look to one of humor.

  The table clapped in unison as Navarre stood and raised his glass. “To the future of Harrison and Angeline!”

  Everyone raised their glasses and followed the emperor in toasting the couple. Julian’s smile was making Harrison uneasy, but the loving expression on Angeline’s face erased any fear he had in facing her overprotective brother.

  After their final course, the group stood and followed Emperor Navarre and Lady Allestaine out of the large dining hall. Before Harrison could reach Angeline, Julian was there offering his arm to his sister.

  “If it is agreeable for you, Harrison, I should like to take a private walk with my sister.”

  Harrison nodded and cleared his throat. “I believe she would enjoy that very much.”

  Julian eyed Harrison. “I know she would, which is why I should like to have this moment alone with her.”

  Angeline rubbed along Harrison’s arm. “We will return shortly, darling.”

  Harrison didn’t miss Julian roll his eyes at what Angeline had said. He promptly nodded to Harrison and turned down the corridors that led to the palace gardens.

  “Worried?” Levi said as he and Reece came up beside him.

  “Not anymore,” Harrison said with a laugh. “If there is anyone that can get through to Julian and help him understand I am no longer the man I once was, it is Angie.”

  Levi laughed. “For your sake, I certainly hope you are correct.”

  Harrison followed Reece and Levi into the elegant sitting room where all the guests had gathered after dinner. His concerns about Julian vanished when he noticed Samuel standing alone, staring out of the corner windows of the room.

  “Commander?” he asked as he approached Samuel.

  Samuel cleared his throat and recovered from his intense expression. He half-smiled at Harrison. “Forgive me.” He extended his hand to shake Harrison’s. “Congratulations are certainly in order.” He lowered his voice. “Even having seen this through Marian’s memories, I must say that I remain quite shocked that a woman has finally stolen your heart.” He softly laughed.

  Harrison could tell something wasn’t right with Samuel. “Pardon me if I am out of line, Samuel, but you appear to be distressed this evening.”

  Samuel turned to face the windows and crossed his arms. “Truth be told, I am struggling a bit with my daughter’s death. To think that Simone could be capable of such treachery is—” Samuel cleared his throat before he continued. “My loyalty is to my emperor, to Pemdas, and to the Guardians’ cause, of course, so as my position commands, I fully accept the outcome of the traitors.” He glanced at Harrison. “However, as a parent, I am having somewhat of a difficult time dealing with the death of my child. To think that perhaps her mother and I could have done something to steer her away from such a path of destruction torments me.”

  Harrison was at a loss for words. The anguish Samuel must be suffering while battling those emotions was something he had no good advice to give. Having borne witness to the fact that Samuel had previously died in a battle because of Simone, he saw it all quite differently.

  “Sir,” he started, “I cannot pretend that anything I say will ease your grief.” He gripped Samuel’s shoulder. “But you must know that I lived through your death, and I saw what became of Simone. Her spiral of vengeance led to a bloody end for hundreds of men in the battle with Armedias alone. Please believe me when I say that there was nothing you could have done to help her or stop her.”

  Samuel nodded. “I understand.”

  “How is Catherine?”

  “She has moved into her mother’s home. Her last words to me were unpleasant, being that she believed Simone could never betray Pemdas. She is struggling to cope with the outcome of what we did to prevent the betrayal.”

  “That is understandable. My sister shares the same opinion.” Harrison subtly smiled. “She vows never to speak to me again. It may not be very gentlemanly of me to say so, but I am relieved to know that.”

  “Gentlemen?” Navarre said, coming up from behind.

  “Emperor,” Samuel nodded and turned to acknowledge him.

  “Samuel?” Navarre studied him. “You are not yourself this evening. You are free to dismiss yourself from the festivities if you would like. Harrison insisted you be present for his announcement.” He clapped Harrison on the shoulder. “I am confident he would understand if you were to retire early.”

  “Without question,” Harrison responded.

  Samuel turned, his expression softened. “No,” he said with a promising smile. “Right now, I desire to be in the company of those who I consider my true family.”

  “Then let us pour you another glass of wine,” Navarre said with a smile. “Come. Hamilton is in great spirits tonight, and he is keeping us entertained.”

  “I trust my name has been brought up more than once by the good king?” Harrison added.

  Navarre’s lips twisted. “Of course.” He laughed as he and Samuel walked over to where King Hamilton sat.

  When Harrison turned to join where Levi and Reece sat with Elizabeth and Marian, Julian entered the room with Angeline. It was difficult to peel his eyes away from the beauty of Angeline, but he managed in order to study Julian’s demeanor. As usual, Julian’s intimidating expression could not be read.

  He looked over to find Levi ignoring Harrison’s current dilemma while Julian and Angeline made their way over to where Harrison stood.

  “You are quite fortunate to steal the heart of my sister,” Julian simply stated.

  “Indeed, I am.”

  “As long as you always remember that you are the fortunate one, not she, then you and I shall continue on as the great friends we have always been.”

  Harrison grinned when Julian’s features softened and he laughed. “I will always hold her in the highest esteem.”

  “I know,” Julian responded as he cocked his eyebrow. “Now, do tell me how my dear sister managed to tame the wild and arrogant Harrison?”

  Harrison brought his arm around Angeline who had approached his side. “Let us drink wine, and I will happily give you the details, my friend.”

  “Bring the bottle. I believe this shall be an eventful conversation!” Julian said with a laugh.

  Knowing Julian well, Harrison was not surprised at Julian’s request. “As you wish!”

  “Levi,” Julian said as he took a large gulp of the wine Harrison offered him. “I am curious. When did our Harrison decide that love was actually in his nature?”

  Levi smiled at Reece’s humorous expression and then studied Harrison. “You know, I believe that Harrison had it coming. All of his ridiculous ideas about women and love finally proved him wrong. It was bound to catch up with him.”

  “Of course it would be my sister to snap him out of his ridiculous ways
of thinking.” He laughed. “Even so, I guess it all makes perfect sense.” He looked over at Harrison and smiled. “You definitely will have your hands full, and I would suggest letting her win the arguments if you desire a successful marriage.”

  Harrison swallowed the last of his wine. “Believe me, Angie has proven already to me that she is wise beyond her years.”

  “Allow me to properly warn you that I have trained her to fight as a Guardian warrior since she was a girl. You have met your match, Oxley.”

  Angie laughed. “Brother, please.” She placed her hand on Harrison’s knee. “I believe Harrison understands exactly what he is getting with our relationship.”

  “Allow me to raise my glass to all four of you, then.” He raised his glass and grinned. “To my two dearest brothers and their lovely women: I wish you ladies all the luck in the galaxy in dealing with these two jokers.”

  “Do not act as though you won’t be joining the happily-ever-after club, Julian!” Harrison interjected.

  Julian ran a hand through his long, wavy hair. “For now, I believe I shall sit back and watch all of your happily-ever-afters play out and let that determine if I should like to jump in on the party.” He cleared his throat. “So when do all of you plan on having your commitment ceremony? At the speed of which you have all fallen in love, I believe tonight should be the night!” he said as he poured himself more wine.

  Harrison glanced at Levi, whose concerned expression had him second guessing Julian’s superb idea.

  Levi covered Reece’s hand with his. “Given that your mother and family are not present, nor is my aunt, we should probably wait on that. Besides, I am considering that perhaps we should have a double wedding ceremony that honors the traditional marriage that takes place on Earth. That is if Angie and Harrison would accept my invitation?”

  Reece looked up at Levi with an adoring smile. “Levi, we really don’t need—”

  “That would be amazing!” Angeline interrupted Reece. “I would enjoy that very much.”

  “Angie, you know nothing of how vows are exchanged on Earth,” Julian returned.

  She lifted her chin. “No. But if Levi insists on doing this for Reece over our boring commitment ceremony, I am certain it will be fabulous.”

  “You gentlemen enjoy your crazy, frantic brides, and let me know where I am to sit. Until the special day arrives, I shall be on Earth!” Julian exclaimed.

  “Do not think you are the only one who will be serving on Earth,” Harrison responded. “I do not intend to be around the ladies of the palace as they plan, either!”

  “I think that’s a splendid idea,” Reece said as she smiled at Angeline. “We ladies will handle everything.” She gripped Levi’s knee and smiled. “I think I would like to be the one to surprise Levi for once.”

  After a delightful breakfast the next morning, Harrison met Reece out in the palace gardens as she requested.

  “May I inquire as to why we are having a private conversation?”

  Reece laughed. “Sorry for interrupting your plans this morning, but something hit me last night before I fell asleep.”

  Harrison slid his hands into his pocket.

  What is this woman up to now? he thought as he studied Reece’s desperate expression.

  “Do you remember the gift that I had made for Levi? The portrait of me on Areion that Lizzy painted for his office?”

  “Let me guess, we need to recreate it?”

  “Yes,” Reece exhaled with determination. “There is only one problem.”

  “Areion most likely will not accept you this time around?” Harrison said with certainty.

  “I plan to work with Areion to help him get to know me as well as he did before. I’m confident that with Levi’s help, Areion will accept me again.”

  Harrison’s eyes narrowed. “Reece, I am afraid—”

  “I’m not here for your permission, Harrison. I need you to get something for me.” She crossed her arms. “I need that red dress you purchased for me that I wore in Greece.”

  Harrison ran a hand through his hair. “Reece, I am to return to Earth tomorrow to guard humans, not go shopping for dresses. Find another dress. Levi won’t notice.”

  “Harrison, please!”

  Harrison studied Reece’s pleading eyes. “Is it that important to you?”

  “More than you could ever understand. He loved that dress, and even though we traveled back to this time period and we will never be able to relive that time we shared together again, I believe it will help us to hold on to those memories.”

  “You are far too sentimental, my dear.”

  “Will you do it or not?”

  “As long as you promise me that this is the only time that you will have a crazy and desperate bride-to-be moment.”

  Reece impulsively hugged Harrison. “You’re the best!”

  Harrison returned her embrace and then rose up. “You better hope that I can find that dress. We aren’t in the same time period we were in when we went to Greece.”

  “It’s meant to be. I’m confident you’ll find it.”

  Before Harrison could respond, Reece cheerfully kissed Harrison’s cheek and raced back up to the palace.

  Harrison turned and inwardly laughed. As crazy as Reece’s request was, he couldn’t help being excited about everything. All of their struggles were behind them now, and soon he and Angeline would be married again.

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Over a month had passed, and Levi had hardly seen Reece or any of the other ladies in the palace. All Levi knew of the plans for their ceremony was that they were to take place at Stavesworth Hall in Sandari, and the reception following their vows would take place at the Hamiltons’ estate. His mother, his aunt, and the Hamiltons had been planning with Reece and Angeline daily, and the women had only been at the palace one time since they began making the arrangements.

  Three swift raps on the door to Navarre’s study prompted the servant to admit Harrison into the room.

  “Emperor, Commander,” Harrison said as he studied Levi with confusion when he noted Samuel and Navarre at the front of the room.

  “Harrison. Please, have a seat.” Navarre motioned toward an empty chair. “Levi has brought to my attention one of the more exciting moments for Angeline before we were forced to evacuate Pemdas.”

  “Forgive me, Your Majesty, but I am not sure as to what you are referring.”

  “Harrison,” Samuel started, “we would like to integrate female warriors into the Guardian unit. I believe that having the experience of previously commanding the Guardians, you and Angeline could work together to make that a possibility. Perhaps Julian will offer his assistance as well?”

  Harrison laughed as he looked over at Levi in disbelief. “It would be an absolute honor to be a part of such a brilliant undertaking, Commander. I know Angie will be elated by this news. I believe I shall share it with her after we are husband and wife.”

  “Very well, then. It is settled. When you and Angeline think you are ready to take on this momentous task, it shall be waiting for you to do so,” Navarre said as he rose up.

  The rest of the group stood, and Harrison shook both Navarre and Samuel’s hands. “I am thrilled to see this vision come to life. And now, with no threat of mass destruction in sight, I believe we can have our new line of warriors trained swiftly.”

  “As do we,” Navarre said with a pat on Harrison’s shoulder. “Now, I believe you both have some items to square away before we all depart for this illustrious wedding ceremony.”

  “Nice work, Levi,” Harrison said with a laugh as they exited Navarre’s study. “I believe nothing could make Angie more fulfilled than to be a part of this. This is truly the most wonderful news.”

  “Consider it my wedding gift to you both. I know that Angie longs to be a part of the Guardians, and I could not think of a better man and woman to head this project up.”

  “I cannot thank you enough for posing this idea to your father and Samue
l. It is much better than whatever other cheesy romantic idea you must’ve had in mind.”

  “You believe that my ideas are cheesy?” Levi laughed.

  “Reece appears to adore them, and that is all that should matter.” Harrison shrugged his shoulders as they walked out to meet Javian, who was waiting in the stable yard with their horses. “Now, are you going to tell me where we are going?”

  “Just remember how grateful you are to me about my wedding gift when we get to our location,” Levi murmured under his breath as they mounted their horses, knowing Harrison would back out if he knew what Levi had planned.

  After close to an entire day of travel, Harrison slowed his horse, prompting Levi to do the same. Levi spun Areion around to meet up with where his cousin halted his horse.

  “The caverns of Lixlea? Are you kidding me? Did you drag me all the way here to do what I think?”

  Levi turned Areion around. “Stop grumbling and be of service. We are about to lose daylight, and it is perfect timing.”

  They dismounted their stallions at the top of the mountain where Levi and Reece spent their honeymoon, and Harrison followed Levi up into the woods. Even though it was pitch black, their highly tuned visual skills were serving to keep their surroundings as if it were daylight.

  “Levi,” Harrison finally said after hours of searching the woods. “Do you not recall that it was Mozart who found Reece, not you?”

  “He came upon both of us that evening,” Levi said as he continued to study the new zorflak nest they came across. Annoyed, Levi threw the stick he was using to test the location. “Empty. The mother and her pups are gone.”

  He stood and turned to see Harrison leaning against the tree, studying the tips of his fingernails and making it obvious this was a waste of their time.

  Levi placed both hands on his hips. “We are not leaving until we have located that critter.”

  Harrison shoved himself up and off the tree. “This is pointless. You know that critter approached you because of whatever enchantment Reece possessed at the time.” He turned to leave and gripped Levi’s shoulder. “Do not forget that Mozart was not exactly your biggest fan.”