Ancient Guardians The Legacy of the Key (25 page)

  Levi escorted
Lady Allestaine to their awaiting carriages, walking ahead of Harrison, Reece,
and Elizabeth. He still seemed upset over the confrontation with Mr.
Sterlington, and it seemed as though he and his mother were sharing their own
private conversation about the incident.

  “So, my ladies;
other than dealing with Sterlington, how was your visit?” Harrison asked.

  “It was a
wonderful experience, as it always is when helping my mother with her charity
work.” Elizabeth responded.

  “It was really
extraordinary to be able to take part in this. I have to admit, before Levi
brought me here, and we ran into Christopher, Pemdas was starting to freak me
out a little.”

  Elizabeth softly
laughed, as Harrison looked at Reece, “Starting to freak you out a little? If
this is such a frightening world for you to experience, maybe Levi and I should
take you into a few other dimensions out there.”

  “That came out
wrong,” Reece responded with a laugh. “It’s just that, I was starting to
believe that Pemdas was some strange and perfect world; a place that didn’t
experience poverty.”

  “I must say I am
shocked to hear you say that you thought Pemdas was perfect.” Harrison answered.

  “Well, I was
getting that impression, yes. But given that I had been staying exclusively
around the Palace, I guess that’s why I would come to that conclusion.”

  Harrison laughed,
“Even after being in the company of my sister, Simone, and Catherine—
at the
Palace
—you still imagined Pemdas was perfect?” He cocked his head.

  Reece and
Elizabeth both laughed. “That’s a good point.” Elizabeth said.

  “Hmm, you got me
there, Harrison.”

  When they
returned to the Inn, they had lunch while the luggage and carriages were being
prepared. Harrison and Levi rode along side of the convoy, assisting the escort
home.

  As they rode
home, Reece stared out of the carriage window, secretly admiring Levi as he
rode alongside. He sat tall and authoritatively in his saddle, and she inwardly
marveled to herself that Levi was the epitome of the perfect man. She realized
now, as she watched him ride gallantly alongside their carriage, that this was
the type of man she could truly love.

 For the first time
since her father’s passing, she felt contentment in her life; happiness that
only Levi seemed to ignite in her. It was as if he filled a void she never knew
existed. Was there a possibility that she could be falling in love with him?
She couldn’t deny it anymore; it was obvious she already had. But would he ever
love her in return? The idea of that possibility brought a shiver of excitement
through her. Against her better judgment, she closed her eyes, and imagined
herself in his arms.

Chapter
17

In the weeks following their return from Casititor,
Reece spent most of her time with Elizabeth. Both women began studying
together, as Elizabeth had to prepare for her new tutor that was arriving
within the week.

When they weren’t
studying in the library, they would take strolls through the gardens. Elizabeth
loved hearing about Earth, and what the world was like. The days seemed to pass
quickly now that Reece had an excellent companion to spend her time with.

With Samuel’s
trepidation about Reece’s return to Earth, he kept Harrison and Levi busy on
assignment in Philadelphia, hoping to expedite the process. However, it was
nice when they were home, as they offered to help Reece and Elizabeth with
their studies. Even though the men were an excellent help to both women, they
were a distraction as well.

So, it was on a
warm and sunny afternoon that Reece and Elizabeth were caught up in a lively
conversation with both men in the library. All four had completely gotten off
the subject of their studies, and Reece realized it was time for a break.
Getting out every morning for a jog, and taking walks with Elizabeth was
enjoyable, but she wanted to do something exciting.

 “I think I want to
learn how to ride a horse. What do you guys think?” She said enthusiastically.

The room fell
silent until Harrison laughed and answered her, “Well, Reece, we thought you’d
never ask. Fortunately, Samuel has given Levi and me the next couple of days
leave to relax in Pemdas, and we would happily oblige you. This, my friend,
shall be interesting.”

Levi grinned. “We
can arrange a riding session for you tomorrow, Reece.” 

The next afternoon,
Levi escorted Reece out to the stables. As they neared the intimidating
stallions, Reece began to wonder if this idea was more than she bargained for.
When they reached the stables, she noticed Areion standing next to a horse
unlike the other Guardian horses. It was black, with patches of white painted
throughout its coat. This horse had a long flowing mane, and its hooves were
covered with long, feather-like hair.

“I have arranged
for this horse to be brought up for you to ride.” Levi announced as they
approached.

“Okay, so I guess I
don’t get to learn to ride on a Guardian horse, then?”

Levi chuckled,
“Reece, it would be better to start you out on a more docile horse. This horse
comes from a breed that is very similar to the Gypsy Vanner horses on Earth.
They are very patient creatures, and are excellent to learn to ride on. They
are the only horses that my mother and sister will ride.”

Levi went through
the basic instructions of how to control and maneuver the horse. He informed
Reece that the horse would be able to feel her energy, and therein, would
easily try to get away with certain things if it could. If Reece was timid in
leading the horse in a certain direction, the horse would likely protest. She
had to remain confident while riding, and most of all, know she was in control.

It all seemed
rather easy to Reece. Levi promised that he and Areion would ride close to her,
in case she had difficulty guiding the horse. He also mentioned that they would
take it slow until she felt comfortable enough to bring the horse up to faster
speeds, letting Reece gain more confidence while on horseback.

“Do you have any
questions, or are you ready to give it a try? I want to be sure you are feeling
confident. The horse may be docile, but horses are very stubborn in their own
way. You must understand, riding horses can be dangerous, and I don’t want you
hurt or—”

“Levi.” Reece
interrupted, hoping he wouldn’t change his mind. “I’m ready.” She confidently
smiled at him.

Levi helped her
onto the horse. Reece’s heart jumped when the horse’s weight shifted beneath
her. She gripped tight onto the saddle horn, wondering if she could do this.

Levi looked up, the
humor in his sparkling eyes captivated Reece, taking her mind off of her sudden
fear. “You okay?” He asked.

She smiled, trying
to maintain confidence. “Yes. Just trying to make sure I’m doing everything
right.”

Levi handed the
reins to her, and showed her again how she would guide the horse. “Areion and I
will pace the horse at a slow walk, so do not worry about holding a tight rein.
Just stay relaxed, calm and—

“Confident. Right.”
She finished his sentence. “Got it.” She was quite nervous, but didn’t want
Levi to see it.

Levi’s lips curved
up slightly, “Not too confident, Miss Bryant.”

As Levi turned to
walk toward Areion, three things happened at once. As Harrison and Elizabeth
made their way down to them, Harrison called out, announcing their arrival.
Reece startled, pulled back hard on the reins, and absently kicked her heel
into the horse’s side, as she turned to look back in their direction.

The horse sprang
forward into an immediate gallop, taking Reece out and away from the stables,
toward the woods.

Reece’s heart was
racing, but she felt exhilarated all in the same time. She maintained her
focus, and tried pulling hard on the reins to stop the horse. The horse jerked
its head out in protest and gained more speed. She felt panic setting in, but
tried to remain calm and think her way through the dangerous situation. As the
forest was enclosing all around her, she heard thundering hooves over the sound
of the horse’s she was on. The next thing she knew, Levi was sitting behind her
on the horse. He grabbed the reins, pulled back gently, and called out for the
horse to stop.

The horse responded
by slowing its stride, and soon after that, it halted completely. Reece
collapsed back into Levi’s chest, and looked up into his worried face. When he
looked down, Reece couldn’t restrain her laughter in response to the expression
on his face. It was the first time she had seen him look scared.

Levi’s eyes studied
hers for a brief moment, and then he shook his head. “Reece, I do not
understand how you can laugh right now.”

Reece laughed
again, she could feel his heart pounding against his chest. “Levi, I have no
idea what happened, but that was actually kind of fun.”

Levi stared at her
incredulously, “Fun? Reece, you could have been seriously injured. The horse
would not stop for you, and if I—”

Their eyes locked,
Reece fought the urge to run the tips of her fingers along the creased lines of
his brow. “Well, Levi, you did stop him, and I suppose this marks the second
time that you have saved my life.”

Levi dismounted the
horse, but would not let its reins loose.

Reece arched her
eyebrow sharply in an attempt to challenge him. “I think I can handle the horse
on my own now.”

“I am only making
sure you and the horse do not startle again,” He looked back in the direction
they had come from, “Harrison and Elizabeth are approaching on their horses.”

Levi looked back at
Reece with a smug grin, and Reece laughed in return.

“Well, I’ll say
that pretty much does it for riding lessons, Reece! Looks like you’re ready to
take on a Guardian horse now, maybe even leap over the Pemdas barriers!”
Harrison called out as he and Elizabeth approached.

“Reece, are you
okay?” Elizabeth asked with concern.

Reece smiled in
return, but before she could answer them, Levi did.

“It seems Reece
enjoys living on the edge of life every now and then,” He looked up at her with
amusement, and then back to Harrison and Elizabeth, “Once I was able to stop
the horse, her only response was, ‘that it was fun.’ I believe I was more
concerned for her safety than she was.”

Harrison and
Elizabeth laughed.

“That’s the
spirit!” Harrison said. “I knew there was some love for adventure buried deep
inside you, we just had to get your head out of your books to find it.”

  Reece lifted her
chin, “I’ve always loved a good adventure, Harrison.” She responded proudly.

Harrison’s lips
quirked in humor, “Really? Because all I’ve known of Reece Bryant is that she
was the young lady who frequents coffee shops, studies, goes to school,
and…well, um—”

Reece’s eyes
narrowed as Elizabeth tried stifling a laugh, “I also run, and I’ve taken
dancing lessons, too. I don’t just sit in coffee shops and study all the time.”

Dancing Lessons?
Really, Reece?
She knew that it was a
ridiculous response, and wished she had let Harrison win this argument. So, it
did appear that she was quite the college nerd after all.

Harrison laughed,
“Oh—indeed, please forgive me, Miss Bryant; I don’t know how I could’ve
overlooked all of those other thrilling escapades. I stand corrected; the
thrill of being on a horse’s back as it runs away, wildly out of control, is
very similar to the daring adventures of dancing and running.”

Fortunately, Levi
saved her by responding. “We could stand here all day and listen two you go
back and forth; however, I believe our plans were to teach Reece to ride.” He
looked up at Reece and grinned, “If you should choose to show us a little bit
more of your adventurous side today, you need to recall my instructions for
stopping the horse.”

Reece laughed.
“Yes, next time I won’t pull back so hard on the reins.”

“Excellent! Riding
lessons are over; now let’s go have some fun.” Harrison added.

The four set off
out through the woods and into the open fields behind the Palace grounds. Reece
was becoming more comfortable riding the horse and found it enjoyable. They
spent the next few hours riding alongside the Pasidian River, and touring a few
of Harrison and Levi’s favorite places to play when they were children. It
seemed like it was too soon when they had to return back to the Palace.

Once the horses were
handed over to the stable men, Reece and Elizabeth made their way to the side
gates of the Palace while both men remained in conversation with Javian.

As Reece and
Elizabeth were laughing and giggling together recalling the day’s events;
Simone, Catherine, and Lillian finished their descent from the Palace steps
into the garden. Simone stopped and stared at both young women with a look of
disgust.