The Reckoning

by S. L. Morgan

  “That I don’t ever want my mama and papa to leave me. I feel that way a lot, and I am always brought here. These visions are so real, how can you be here with me?”

  “Because these are not visions, Alexander,” Lady Jacinda said as she helped dry his wet cheeks. “You have traveled ahead in time to a day that you fear greatly. The reason I am with you is that I have an ability to travel through time as well. That is why I am here. Although, your gift is strong, and you can bring others in time with you, unlike Marian.” She sighed and forced a smiled on her face. “You have been informed that you might have such a talent, have you not?”

  “No.” He sniffed. “It only happens when I fall asleep or if I close my eyes and think of something strongly as I did just now.” He looked at Lady Jacinda in question. “How do I stop it?”

  “Darling, we do not want to stop this; however, we must help you gain control over it so that you understand your abilities. If you fear them, you will likely go mad, and the abilities will rule your life in a bad way.”

  “It doesn’t frighten you to travel through time?”

  “No, and that is because I have control over it. We must help you do the same.” Lady Jacinda took both his hands in hers. “Marian has mentioned that your sister Alysia is just as distraught as you are. Is she experiencing this as well?”

  “No. She tells me that she feels frightened all of the time. It started when I began having the visions—I mean, started time traveling.”

  “Very well. I want you to clear your mind of all thoughts now.” She watched as Alexander glanced at the graves of his parents and back to her. “Alexander,” she called out. “To protect you from this fear and from ever returning to this time period, I want you to notice the dates on those headstones.”

  Unexpectedly, Alexander smiled. “It won’t happen for a long time,” he whispered.

  “Not for a very long time. So to prevent it from happening sooner than expected, you must stop fearing that your parents will leave you. I want you to start focusing on positive things. And until we can help you control these talents, I need you to make an effort to enjoy each moment of the present day. That will prevent you from traveling through time when you allow your mind to drift off. Tell me, what is your favorite thing to do?”

  “Ride my horse with Papa.”

  “When we return back to him, I want you to do just that. When you sleep at night, you must focus on the many wonderful things that happened to you during the day. Can you try that for me?”

  “Papa just returned from Earth; he will not likely want to ride.”

  Jacinda smiled. “You might be surprised. Now, let us return.”

  “This vision won’t go away!” Alexander said with fear.

  “Darling, remember this is not a vision. You have brought us to the future, now you must bring us back,” she reassured him. “Close your eyes and think strongly about being back in the gardens with your parents and me, anticipating our—your return.”

  In that instant, they were transported back into the gardens. Alexander wrapped his arms tightly around Lady Jacinda’s neck.

  “We’re back! I did it.”

  “This is a promising step for you as you learn to control this talent.” She rose up. “Come, I believe you have something to ask of your father.”

  They returned to the location where Reece and Levi were in conversation with Marian. “That was quick!” Reece delightfully said.

  Levi beamed as Alexander broke free from Jacinda’s grip and ran to his father. Levi embraced his son and pulled him onto his lap.

  “That’s it? Just a little pep talk and you are my brave son who is ready to take on the world once again?”

  “Father! Mother!” he squealed. “I am able to travel through time like Marian is! Can you imagine that?”

  Levi brought a concerned look toward Lady Jacinda. “Is this true? He is not suffering from strange visions sent to haunt him?”

  “It is true. I will admit, these talents have awakened in him earlier than usual.” She looked at Marian, and then Reece and Levi. “This is most likely why you were unable to detect them.”

  “Did both of you travel somewhere?” Marian asked.

  Alexander frowned. “Yes.”

  “A location that Alexander will likely not see until that day shall pass in the future,” Jacinda responded. “It appears that his greatest fears in life are dictating where he travels. I believe he only travels while his mind is deep in thought, and being that he has no control over his abilities as of yet, he believed visions were occurring.”

  “How do we fix this?” Reece asked. “How can he control this?”

  “It will take time, and if you don’t mind, I should like to stay and work with him and teach Queen Galleta what she knows about this in the future. Once I leave, she can continue to work with all of your children. It is critical that each one of your descendants embrace their unique abilities in order to use them to their fullest.”

  Reece let out a laugh, “Forgive me,” she glanced over at Levi and back to Jacinda, “That is another bizarre situation. Queen Galleta, how could I forget what Levi told me about her. It must be so strange to have lived with Levi’s ancestor’s and still live through all these generations. I never thought to ask until now. Do you think she struggles with watching generations pass on, while her body remains unaging in Pemdas?”

  Lady Jacinda smiled, “She is a treasured gift even in our time. I believe she copes in her own way; however, she does concern herself more with her excellent assistance to each emperor she serves.”

  “That is wonderful to know. It is also relieving to hear that you are willing to work with Queen Galleta in our time period.”

  “I am happy to.”

  “We would love for you to stay; however, will it interfere with your current life?” Levi questioned.

  “No. I will return to the exact point I left.”

  Levi gripped Alexander’s knee, forcing a contagious laugh from his son. “It looks as though you will be hard at work, my boy.” He kissed the top of his son’s head and looked at Reece. “Yet another gifted child who blesses us.”

  “Sir,” Jacinda responded. “I have not had much time to work with them yet, but your daughters also have abilities.”

  “Time travel?” Levi responded.

  “I cannot reveal too much information at this time, but I will say they do not have an ability to travel through time.”

  Reece stood, prompting Levi to as well. “Since Jacinda has been so gracious to stay and help us, allow me to send for a servant to prepare a room for her.” She smiled at Levi. “Dinner will be ready soon. I will fetch the girls and allow them time to clean up before dinner.” She held out her hand. “Come, Alexander, you too.”

  “Mother, perhaps Father and I can take a quick horseback ride before we dine?”

  “Your father has just returned from Earth, and—”

  “We shall have him all freshened up in time for dinner, my love,” Levi said as he hoisted Alexander over one shoulder and quickly stole a kiss from Reece.

  “That’s gross!” Alexander said with a laugh.

  Levi placed his son’s feet back on the ground. “Quite opinionated for such a young boy!” He arched a brow at his son. “It appears that our son is returning to his old ways by the minute!”

  Levi walked over to Jacinda, reached for her hand, and kissed the air over her knuckles. “You have no idea the gratitude my wife and I have for your help in all of this.”

  “Do not mention it.” She smiled. “My future depends on each one of your descendants embracing their abilities.”

  A week had passed, and with Galleta learning the ways to detect talents in the children, Jacinda grew more confident that Galleta would be the one to ensure, just as she was doing with Jeremy and Aria, that each one of Levi and Reece’s descendants would not fear, but embrace their abilities. That morning, she woke early, completely satisfied with Alexander’s accomplishments in conquering and c
ontrolling his new ability, and even though she desired to stay in the company of her ancestors, she greatly missed her husband, home, and family.

  “For you, Lady Jacinda,” her maiden said as she handed her a sealed letter.

  It was a penned letter from Lady Allestaine, inviting her to the palace to celebrate Marian’s twenty-second birthday. How could she turn down such an invitation? A knock on her door pulled her eyes away from the note.

  Her maiden admitted Reece, holding Melinda’s hand. “Forgive us if we are intruding.”

  “Please, come in.”

  She did, with Alysia trailing behind. Both girls wore matching lace dresses, holding pale yellow bonnets in their hands.

  “I see that you got the invitation to Marian’s party?”

  “Yes.”

  “We are leaving within the hour for the palace if you would like to join us?” Reece smiled as Alysia ran up to Lady Jacinda and hugged her. “I understand that you were prepared to return to your life today, but perhaps you could wait one more day?”

  Lady Jacinda bent down to return Alysia’s hug. “I would be delighted to join you.”

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  When all were dressed, the ladies walked out to the front of the manor, where a carriage awaited them. Levi kindly helped each of his daughters, Reece, and Lady Jacinda into the carriage.

  “Papa.” Melinda smiled. “May I ride with you?” she pleaded with her long eyelashes.

  Levi eyed Reece as his lips twisted up in defeat. “Only if your mother approves.”

  “I don’t know who will be the most upset if I said no, you or our manipulative daughter.” She winked as she kissed her on the cheek. “Go, ride with your daddy.”

  As they journeyed to the palace, Lady Jacinda smiled at Levi on Areion, with their youngest daughter in front, gripping the horse’s mane and Alexander’s somber expression as he kept his horse pacing at Levi’s side.

  “You must think we are one crazy family,” Reece laughed.

  “Quite the opposite,” Lady Jacinda said, smiling at her and Alysia. “It will be difficult to leave all of you. This would be the first time in all my years of traveling through time that I wished I could bring generations together.”

  Reece cocked her head to the side quizzically. “How did I not figure this out before?”

  “Pardon?”

  “We have met already!” She covered her mouth with both hands. “On our honeymoon, you were the woman with the two young children. Aria and…” Reece trailed off.

  “Jeremy,” Lady Jacinda smiled. “Yes. I instructed Jeremy—as I have instructed Alexander—that we must be very cautious and careful when seeing people we are familiar with when we time travel. As you know, Aria did not heed my advice.”

  Reece laughed. “She was quite adorable. How is she related?”

  “She is my brother’s daughter, your sixth generation grandchild.”

  Reece shook her head. “So amazing. Does she have any abilities?”

  “She and Jeremy are currently in their sessions with Galleta. We will know soon. The children are showing predictable signs of having talents, but we aren’t quite sure what they will be yet.”

  “To realize all of this is happening because of me and Levi is kind of hard to wrap my mind around.”

  “Being here with all of you for over the last week has me feeling the same.”

  They arrived at the palace just as the skies were turning different hues of purple, alerting the residents of the land that darkness would be covering the lands of Pasidian soon. Once in the courtyard, Navarre regally walked down the steps where the carriage came to a halt. Levi and Alexander had already dismounted their stallions, and Melinda clung tightly to her father.

  Navarre opened the door and extended his hand to Lady Jacinda. “Lady Jacinda, it is an honor to meet you. Thank you for accepting Empress Allestaine’s invitation.”

  Jacinda stepped out of the carriage. “The honor is mine, Emperor Navarre.”

  Navarre nodded. “Please, call me Navarre,” he said with a smile before turning to lend his hand to Reece, Marian, and Alysia.

  “Grandfather, you look exceptional, as always,” Marian teased.

  Navarre laughed. “Thank you, sweet one. Might I add, you appear quite lovely this evening as well.”

  Jacinda grinned as Alysia ran into her grandfather’s legs. Navarre hoisted her up into his arms, stealing a kiss on her cheek. He tucked a stray piece of blonde hair behind her ear. “My lovely Alysia,” he brushed his finger over her nose, “I haven’t seen these enchanting blue eyes appear so bright in quite some time!”

  She wrapped her arms possessively around Navarre’s neck. “I am feeling much better lately, thank you, Grandfather.”

  Navarre nodded toward the group. “Come. Allestaine is quite excited to celebrate the twins’ feeling better and the privilege we all have of Lady Jacinda joining us.” He turned back. “Alexander?”

  “Yes, Grandfather?”

  Navarre extended his hand. “I understand you already believe yourself to be a Pemdai warrior,” he chuckled, “but you are still young enough to hold onto your grandfather’s hand as we venture through the palace halls.”

  Alexander sighed as his eyes begged Reece to help him out of this situation. “Go with your grandfather, son.” She smiled.

  Once they rounded the corner, two extravagant doors opened, admitting them into a ballroom that had been decorated with golds, silvers, and diamonds everywhere. Lady Jacinda was taken aback by the elaborately decorated room and struggled to recognize the faces of the people awaiting their arrival.

  After a quick shout from everyone greeting Marian for her birthday, an extremely tall, broad, imposing man appeared and took a very shocked Marian’s hand.

  “You know that your mother delights in bringing traditions from Earth, or else we would be alone.”

  “Julian Hamilton,” Marian whispered as she eyed Levi standing behind them, “must you always speak so frankly in front of my father?”

  Julian raised an eyebrow at Levi. “Indeed.” He laughed. “I have been away too long, and I miss the company of my wife.”

  “Julian.” Marian stopped him from bringing her into the room. “Please, darling, meet Lady Jacinda. She has served to help with the twins.”

  Julian walked over to Jacinda and reached for her hand. “My lady,” he said as he bowed over the hand he held. “It is quite the privilege to be in your presence. I have been informed about Marian traveling to you and your supreme skills in helping with her siblings.”

  Lady Jacinda nodded. “Thank you, I am beyond humbled to be of help. It is quite the honor to be in your presence as well,” she answered, knowing she was in the presence of her husband’s ancestor and wishing he could experience this moment with her.

  Allestaine was the next to approach, along with the Hamilton family and Navarre’s brother and his wife. All of it was overwhelming and surreal, and Lady Jacinda was relieved when the attention left her and turned to celebrating Marian’s birthday.

  She quietly watched everyone in the room interact, and she smirked when she saw Isabelle Hamilton sitting alone.

  The poor thing shall never get over her heartbreak with Levi. If only her story had a happy ending, she thought, knowing what the future held for the bitter woman.

  The atmosphere in the room shifted when Harrison and a very pregnant Angeline walked in with their two sons gripping tightly to Angeline’s hands. Harrison’s grin was more contagious than she imagined from everything she had read about him. After Angeline had left his side to bring their young twin boys to Queen Hamilton, Harrison strode across the room, snatching a glass of wine from one of the servants. He was instantly approached by Alexander before he could walk any further. Without any effort, Harrison hoisted Levi and Reece’s son up into one arm and smiled at the young boy’s vibrant smile.

  “It appears as though my darling grandson is having difficulty concealing his excitement now that you have helped h
im,” Lady Allestaine said as she took a seat next to Jacinda. She twisted and placed a hand over Jacinda’s. “Lady Jacinda, you have no idea how much we are all indebted to you for your willingness to help us. It must be quite strange to travel to a time period where your ancestors are alive.”

  Jacinda took in the beauty of Lady Allestaine for a moment and smiled. “I have traveled through time quite a bit; however, I have never had the privilege of interacting with any of our beloved family. This indeed is quite the treat.”

  “I am aware that you are the direct descendant of my son and daughter, but I must admit, it is strange to learn that the Oxleys will no longer reign in the palace as emperor and empress.”

  Jacinda smiled. “Yes, when I married Julius Hamilton, it was quite a unique change for the residents of Pemdas. Although, my youngest brother, Killian Oxley, is next in line, and I can assure you that the Oxley name will return to the palace.”

  Lady Allestaine laughed as she glanced over at King Hamilton. “John will most likely be devastated at the news.”

  Jacinda grinned. It was odd being in the company of the woman she held in such high regard. She had worked tirelessly to ensure that all of the brilliance of Lady Allestaine’s work as empress did not end with her reign. There was so much she wanted to confide in with the empress, but she suppressed her selfish wants.

  “Yes, maybe we should keep this news to ourselves,” Jacinda responded.

  Lady Allestaine sat up confidently. “Indeed.” She glanced over at Jacinda. “May I inquire as to how Pasidian is faring after all these years?”

  “I can happily inform you that not much has changed throughout the generations. We have only expanded the gardens with new plants and shrubbery that we have discovered throughout different—” Jacinda stopped herself, knowing that she was about to give a critical piece of information away. She cleared her throat. “Excuse me,” she said, sipping her tea. “We have new plants that we have collected throughout the different dimensions.”