Ancient Guardians The Legacy of the Key (16 page)

 It was Simone who
made the first effort, and walked toward Reece. She laid a hand gently on
Reece’s arm. Reece shook the hand off with a shudder, as if it were a spider.

“Reece,” said
Lillian, “I’m sorry. Simone has finally crossed a line, and she knows better.
Please, don’t leave; we’ve truly enjoyed your company.”

Reece stared into
Lillian’s eyes. What a coward. She was afraid Reece would tell the Empress.
“Allow me to make this perfectly clear; I don’t need anyone’s sympathy,
especially any of yours.” Her tone was smooth and deadly. “I’m glad you enjoy
my company. I, on the other hand, have had better conversations with the
silversmith in the village, than I’ve had with any of you. Fine clothes
obviously don’t make either fine manners or interesting minds.”

Simone’s
eyes narrowed, while Reece continued. “Your idea of keeping someone company
seems to be a mixture of ill-will and showing off, but without the courage to
do either one openly. You’ve pretended to befriend me, while stifling laughter
whenever I speak, and belittling my home from morning until night. Why? Because
you’re all too self-absorbed to make the effort to know someone new, or to
learn about a different place. Then you feign astonishment about having
alienated me! Well, I thank you for showing me what your ‘lovely land’ of
Pemdas is really like.”

Reece nodded
formally. “Ladies, I bid you good night.” She spun on her heel, and walked
briskly away. Her heart was beating fast, but she felt cleansed and free.

In her dimly-lit
rooms, a fire had been lit, and her nightclothes laid out. Jasmeen’s attention
to her needs comforted her more than she thought possible. She fell asleep with
a smile on her lips, thinking about how the maid was a better companion, and a
better person, than any of the ladies.

The following
morning, she woke earlier than usual. After her run and shower, Jasmeen was
ready to make her up for the day. This was becoming Reece’s favorite part of
the day. Jasmeen was always full of energy and life. Reece wished she could spend
all of her time with her, until Samuel decided she could safely return to
Earth.

“Maybe more of a
natural look today, Jasmeen? Will I shock anyone if I don’t have my hair up?”

“Not in the
daytime, on the Palace grounds.” Jasmeen grinned. “You wouldn’t want to go into
the shopping areas that way, though.” She arranged Reece’s hair to flow freely
down her back before fetching a blue, silk gown. “There’s a matching coat as
well; the weather is growing chilly. Winter is upon us now, and we may see snow.”

  “Thank you,
Jasmeen.” Reece smiled at her. “Thank you for everything.”

Sending word that
she wouldn’t be at breakfast, Reece grabbed a warm muffin from the kitchen, and
set out for a walk. She’d found a secluded trail while out running one morning;
it was one of her favorite routes to walk. She watched small creatures hopping
or darting through the green shrubbery. Reece laughed, as the area seemed to be
filled with small rabbits and squirrels throughout. It was intriguing to see
how the nature was identical to Earth’s. It was probably why she loved these
walks; it was where she felt closest to her home. The trail led along the
creek, the same creek that seemed to surround the Palace, and opened into a
meadow that was like its own world. Tall, lavender flowers blanketed ground
like purple snow. Dark green trees with low-hanging, mossy branches made a
backdrop against the sky. This was serenity, and she found, as she had since
she first discovered this place, that peace seeped into her bones.

A
white fence with a stile over it led to the horse pasture. She stared in awe at
the black horses as they grazed and drank from the creek bordering the meadow.
After a moment of hesitation, she climbed the stile and sat down in the
pasture, on a long tree that had fallen on its side.

This was new to
her, to be so close to the horses without a fence between. Even so, she found
herself completely relaxed. With serenity all about her, she closed her eyes
and listened to the insects, the creek, and the shuffling of the horses;
letting the sounds fill her heart, and soothe her spirit.

Eventually, she
started to feel the cold. Jasmeen had been correct, and Reece was grateful for
the long coat she had been given. It was probably time to head back; she didn’t
want anyone out looking for her. Feeling rejuvenated, Reece stood, stretched,
and started back toward the path.

She was distracted
by a foal, which frolicked away from the herd toward her. Amazed, she stopped
and turned, trying not to startle it.

It slowed to a
walk, lowered its head, and came nearer. Reece held out her hand, and the foal
came closer, investigating her by smelling the air around her. When its nose
was within her reach, she touched it gently. It seemed to trust her; perhaps it
trusted humans in general. She ran her hands through its short mane—silky
smooth, like the rest of its coat. It leaned against her. Then it stood up
again, looking at something behind Reece. She turned to see what had the foal’s
attention.

A familiar figure
stood on the other side of the fence. Levi, wearing a long black overcoat, was
leaning against a tree; feet and arms crossed, and eyes glowing with amusement.
How long had he been there? Reece had thought they weren’t due home for two
more days.

He looked tired,
but his smile almost erased evidence of his journey home. It was plain to her
that he must have arrived back to the Palace this morning, as his hair was not
as neatly kept as she had seen it before.

Reece strolled in
his direction, the foal frisking alongside her. “Do you enjoy sneaking up on
people in the middle of nowhere?”

He chuckled as he
started toward her. “I see you’ve found yourself a little hiding place.” A
stunning smile lit his face.

“Not such a good
one; you found me right away,” Reece said. Levi’s presence did something to her
voice, but she hoped he didn’t notice that. “I was actually on my way back to
the house. I didn’t want to have anyone looking for me and risk giving away my
secret little place.”

Levi laughed. “Your
secret little place, is it? I believe the horses had it first.” He reached out
to the foal, who was nudging Reece for more attention, and scratched behind its
ears. “Although, it appears to have served you well—at least, I can see you’ve
made a friend.” He rubbed under the colt’s chin.

“I
guess I have,” Reece said. Watching him pet the foal was having a weird effect
on her heart rate. She was baffled by her reaction. In the small amount of time
he’d been gone, she hadn’t once thought about him. She had forgotten how
stunning the man was. Now, it was coming back as a rushing wave, making it
difficult to concentrate in his presence. “I was amazed when he decided to come
over to me.” She laughed, looking at the colt, which was now nuzzling under
Levi’s coat.

Levi laughed as
well, and stepped over the stile into the pasture. “I also was shocked, when I
saw him approach you. These horses do not give their attention to just anyone.
This fellow’s breeding should make him a far cry from outgoing and friendly.
His sire is my horse, and Areion will make you work very hard for acceptance.
These horses are our most valuable possessions. I believe we told you that they
are the only ones who can leap through the boundaries and bring individuals
into Pemdas.”

Reece nodded. “So,
these are the only horses that can do that? Not any other kind?”

  “Only these. They
have minds of their own, and a kind of rudimentary emotional antennae. They
know whether or not anyone will bring us problems. In battle, they are as good
as a human warrior. They’re not naturally this friendly to anyone, but once you
gain their trust, they’re loyal to the death.”

Was something wrong
with the foal that was now nibbling on her sleeve? “I hope I didn’t get the
little guy in trouble,” Reece said, tugging on her coat. “He just seemed
friendly. I’m sure he’ll still make a great horse for you guys.” She looked at
Levi, unsure about how stupid she sounded.

He shook his head.
“You think you soured my horse, do you?” His playful eyes waited for a
response.

  “Your horse?
Great, now I’ve ruined the future horse of the king’s son…um, I mean, Emperor’s
son…even worse!”

He laughed. “I’m
teasing you, Reece! This colt is just fine; and I think he’ll be an even
fiercer warrior than his father is. I merely find it interesting that he chose
to approach you. He shows me daily that I have yet to earn his trust, and then
in one small moment, he gives himself to you completely, and seems to include
me in his overtures. I believe I should just let you have him.”

Reece smiled wryly
at him. “I might take you up on that. At least, until I go back to my home on
Earth. I think it will be fun to have a little friend like this.”

  “He seems to
think so, too. You know, now that he’s bonded to you, he needs a name. Perhaps
you could name him for me?”

“Oh—I don’t know. I
don’t think I could come up with one. Nothing like the names you use here.” She
turned away and stroked the foal’s soft back.

“His name will come
to you,” said Levi. “Spend time with him, and I am sure something will come. It
will help you pass the days here.” He offered his arm. “Come. Let us go back to
the house where it’s warm.”

Reece
patted the foal’s rump. “Go on, little guy. Go and find your mama. I’ll come
back tomorrow, maybe with a treat for you.” The baby horse ran off, she laid
her hand on Levi’s inviting arm, and permitted herself to be helped over the
stile.

  “Maybe I spoke
too soon,” he said. “I think you may ruin that horse, indeed.”

She looked up
meeting his teasing eyes. “Oh? How’s that?”

“Well, if I was
him, and a beautiful woman was petting me, talking to me, and promising treats,
I’d be spoiled. I’d be good for nothing but lounging around pastures all day,
waiting for attention.”

“Well, I must
remember not to bring you apples, then.” She enjoyed this playful side of Levi.
“Can I ask you something ridiculous?”

“Ridiculous?” He
laughed. “I’d be delighted to hear a ridiculous question after the week I’ve
had. Please ask.” He held up a low-hanging branch for her, and then ducked it.

  “Well, I am
curious—is this how men always escort women here? I mean, it seems
old-fashioned. Is it customary at the Palace? In the village, I saw plenty of
women walking with men, but not all were arm-in-arm.”

He stopped walking
and turned to her, forcing her to withdraw her hand from his arm. Suddenly, she
questioned herself. It was more an awkward, than a ridiculous, question;
perhaps Jasmeen would have been a better person to ask.

Levi looked down at
her with confusion in his eyes. “Does it bother you? I had not considered that
it could make you uncomfortable. In your part of Earth, I know contact such as
this isn’t usual among relative strangers. Forgive me for not thinking of
that.”

“It was a silly
question, Levi. Of course it doesn’t make me feel awkward. I actually enjoy it.
I kind of wish the men on Earth would respect women the same way.”

His smile widened,
and he offered his arm dramatically. “Well, Miss Bryant, shall we, then?”

She looked up at
him and delicately placed her arm back in his. “Mr. Oxley, I thought you’d
never ask.”

  They walked together
toward the house. After a few moments of walking, Levi’s deep, smooth voice
broke through the silence. “I’ve heard that you have been out alone on these
walks for the last few days or so? Have you been enjoying your stay here? My
mother was quite worried when we left you so quickly after hearing of my
sister’s accident.”

Reece snapped out
of her cheerful bliss. “I’m sorry! I didn’t even ask you how your sister was!
Is she recovering well? I wish your mother hadn’t felt bad; I was only worried
for you guys.”

Levi smiled.
“Elizabeth is very well, thank you. She was rather annoyed that we all traveled
that far, simply because she broke her leg.”

They were now out
of the tree-covered path, and in the gardens at the back of the Palace. Reece
sighed softly.

  Levi looked down
at her questioningly, “Is something wrong?”

“No, I’m fine,
thanks.

Reece stared ahead.
Was there to be no respite from the “women” who should have been her friends?

“Something’s wrong.
Has something happened that I should be aware of?”

“It’s
nothing. I guess I would just rather enjoy being outdoors today.” She smiled as
brightly as she could.

Levi studied her
face with a doubtful look. “You are free to do whatever you like; you are not a
prisoner.” He smiled slightly. “However, the weather has cooled quite
drastically, and I would be surprised if you wished to stay outdoors for much
longer.”

  A familiar voice
interrupted. “Levi?” Harrison called out from top of the steps at the rear
doors. “Where have you been?” Harrison asked as he ran down the steps. He wore
an expression of mock-sternness. “You’ve been acting strange ever since you
demanded we ride home last night. It is not that I mind getting away from the
watchful eyes of your parents, but you didn’t even have breakfast this morning
when we returned. What’s going on?” He looked down at Reece. “Good morning,
Reece. It’s easy to see that you are well.” He looked down at her dress, “I
might also add, you complement the Pemdai style of dressing very well. Until
now, I was sure you would order Levi and me to return to Earth and fetch your
usual attire.” He winked. “Have you been enjoying your stay, without us here to
entertain you?”