Read Ancient Guardians: The Uninvited Online

Authors: S. L. Morgan

Tags: #Literature & Fiction, #Romance, #Fantasy, #Science Fiction & Fantasy, #Historical, #Science Fiction, #Teen & Young Adult

Ancient Guardians: The Uninvited (2 page)

BOOK: Ancient Guardians: The Uninvited
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With that, Levi turned and hopped up the steps, excited to make arrangements for his and Reece’s day together.

R
eece ran at a rapid pace through the forest, out and away from the palace grounds. The exhilarating feeling of running freely through this majestic land so early in the morning was particularly therapeutic.

She slowed into an easy jog as she entered a clearing. As she slowed, she grasped her hips and began to catch her breath. An early morning run was definitely what she needed to help calm her nerves of excitement. She laughed quietly, wondering if she would lose sleep every night over the idea of becoming Levi’s wife. She had tossed and turned all night, her mind endlessly replaying the images of him proposing to her the previous evening. Reece knew that she was remarkably fortunate not only to have such a man in her life, but also to live in this magnificent and intriguing world with him.

She walked over to a billowy mound of grass and sat down, overwhelmed with happiness and contentment. She tilted her head up and admired the iridescent purple sky glistening above her. The temperature was surprisingly warmer since before their return to Earth, leaving only small traces of snow on the ground. She gazed out at the illuminating foliage that surrounded her. The glowing, multi-colored blooms, along with the iridescent, fluttering insects that danced throughout them, were absolute serenity. Reece couldn’t have asked for a better start to this new day in Pemdas.

She inhaled deeply of the crisp air as she thought dreamily about how significantly her life had changed since the first day she was brought into this dimension for her protection. It had been close to two months since she was escorted into Pasidian Palace on Levi’s arm, clearly overwhelmed by the reality that other worlds existed outside of Earth. And now, here she was, permanently living in a new dimension, and engaged to be married to the only man who had ever stolen her heart.

Reece was happier and more settled in her life than she had ever been. Before she met Levi, she thought she had a clear vision of where she was going in life. She planned to finish medical school, and after that, live out her career as a pediatrician. It was funny how things had changed so unexpectedly. Falling in love was the last item on her to-do list for the future. In fact, before Levi, she never allowed herself to be distracted by such emotions towards any man. Somehow, everything within her changed when she met him. Perhaps it was the simpler way of life that the Pemdai embraced that allowed her to slow down, and appreciate the value of living. She’d only ever known a fast-paced life in which she strove to be the best and the brightest; little did she know that her life truly hadn’t begun until she came into Pemdas.

As her thoughts became consumed by images of Levi, her heart began racing again. The sun started to rise, turning the sky a rainbow of glimmering colors. Captivated by its beauty, yet unable to sit any longer, Reece stood up and proceeded to head back to the palace. It was a new day, a new life, and Reece could hardly contain her joy. She jogged along the bank of a stream, and followed a trail back to the palace grounds. As soon as the magnificent structure came into sight, she beamed. The groundskeepers were already out tending to the palace’s gardens, while servants were bustling here and there. Reece stopped and admired the view of her current home. She bit her bottom lip, somewhat overwhelmed, but also rejuvenated, as adrenaline started coursing through her body. She knew it wouldn’t be long until she was back in Levi’s arms.

Once in her room, she found her maiden, Jasmeen, preparing Reece’s clothes for the day. The maiden was nothing if not passionate about ensuring that Reece was styled impeccably on a daily basis. After a hot shower, Reece took her tea into the vanity room so Jasmeen could begin styling her make-up and hair.

“Master Levi is awaiting you in the sitting room,” Jasmeen said while placing the curling rod on the counter.

Reece’s heart fluttered with excitement. “He’s already here?”

Jasmeen walked back to Reece. “Indeed, he is,” she said as she positioned Reece’s hair to cascade over one shoulder. “There, now let’s get you dressed,” she said with a warm smile.

After Jasmeen finished helping Reece slip into an exquisite gown, she dismissed herself and went about the rest of her duties for the day. Reece walked into the sitting room while she clasped the arrow bracelet that Levi had purchased for her. Adrenaline surged through her when she glanced up and saw Levi stand up from the sofa to greet her.
I certainly won’t have a problem seeing this face first thing every morning,
she thought as she inhaled, besotted by his image.

Levi had an air about him that commanded any room he was in effortlessly. He was the perfect definition of nobility and absolute sophistication. His tall, masculine frame was always impeccably dressed. His dark hair brought out the brilliance of his jewel-like, sapphire blue eyes, while his strong jawline gave an impressive definition to his handsome face. Reece’s lips curved up into a proud, adoring grin. Her emotions were shameless, but she didn’t care. Reece couldn’t be more grateful that this man was hers.

Levi’s eyes brightened as a beaming smile lit his face. He approached where Reece stood silently admiring him. He reached for her hand and brought it to his lips. His eyes never left hers as he tenderly kissed the back of her hand. “You, my love, look utterly ravishing this morning.” His thumb absently brushed over the brilliant center stone of the ring he had given her, bringing his attention to it. He twisted the ring as he examined it. “This appears to be somewhat big on your finger. We’ll have it fitted more properly when we visit the city today.”

Reece glanced down at the ring that Levi was studying. How many times had she stared into the exquisite aquamarine stone since Levi had placed the ring on her finger the night before? The circular ring displayed the brilliance of the round cut, deep blue gemstone that was surrounded by tiny black diamonds encased with outer layer of tiny, sparkling white diamonds. On each side of the platinum band ran two rows of more tiny white diamonds, with a ribbon of blue stones in the center. The ring she wore was incomparable to anything she had ever seen, and she was absolutely entranced by the design of it.

He smiled as his eyes returned to hers, “Would you be up for a journey to Casititor today?”

Reece recalled their private lunch together before she knew about his feelings for her, “Tomato basil soup sounds wonderful!” she replied with a vibrant smile.

Levi brought her hand to rest in the curve of his arm as he led her from the room. “I have arranged to have our breakfast taken alone on the balcony this morning.”

As they strolled leisurely through the upstairs corridor, Levi brought a hand up and lovingly covered Reece’s. “I haven’t had an opportunity to inform you about the history of your ring,” he said, as he glanced down at her with an affectionate smile. “My grandfather, Alexander Oxley, acquired this ring for my grandmother while serving as Guardian on Earth. When it was given to me as an heirloom, I had never considered the idea of presenting it to my future wife as a wedding ring.” He softly squeezed her hand. “However, being that my intended wife is from Earth, I could think of no other ring that would suit you better.”

Reece leaned closer into him. “To wear your grandmother’s ring is an honor, and its history makes me love it that much more.”

Levi looked down at her. “It delights me that you feel that way,” he said with a proud grin.

As they turned down the passageway that led to one of the outside balconies, Levi’s expression grew somewhat somber. “I informed my father about the rather unique occurrence that took place between you and me last evening. He’s curious to find out more about how I would have been able to see the location of the stone from inside your mind.”

“I hadn’t really thought about it until now, but does having that knowledge put you in jeopardy in any way? Will you be able to continue to serve on Earth?” Reece asked with concern.

“My mind is already protected from beings that can alter or read minds. So long as I do not proclaim to everyone that I have the information that they are all seeking, I will be perfectly fine.”

“That’s certainly a relief,” she replied. “Does anyone else know besides your father?”

Levi nodded as they strolled out onto the landing. “Harrison, my mother, and Samuel are also aware of it. We agreed that it would be best if I keep the location to myself, as there must be a reason that your mind opened solely to me.”

Levi guided Reece to her seat at the table that was prepared for them. He pulled her chair out for her, and he smoothly pushed it back up to the table after she was seated.

As Levi took his seat, the servants brought out breakfast, filling the crisp morning air with the aroma of freshly baked bread and breakfast cakes. After the staff filled their cups with tea, they left the couple to dine in privacy.

“Did your father have any insight as to why this would have happened between us?” Reece asked, before taking a sip of her tea.

Levi spread some preserves on a piece of bread and handed it to Reece. “He is as perplexed as I am, and that is why he wishes to meet with the one person who will know more about the situation.”

“Who would that be?” Reece asked, before tasting the warm bread Levi had given her.

“Her Excellency, Queen Galleta. She is a special and unique individual. She and those in her kingdom are from another dimension that was destroyed many years ago. They have very unique psychic abilities and other diverse talents; Galleta has the strongest of all these talents. My father and Samuel rely on her abilities and knowledge in situations that warrant them.”

“Psychic abilities?” Reece asked, somewhat concerned by who this woman was.

Levi’s mouth quirked up with a grin before he continued. “Yes. She and her kind have a special ability to read and mentally alter minds.” He studied her for a moment. “Do you recall me telling you that your mind is protected to where no one can read it?”

Reece nodded.

“Well, with her unique ability, Galleta will be able to read into your mind and give us answers as to why I was able to see the map to the stone.”

Reece’s eyes widened, and she swallowed hard. The thought of having her mind read was a little unnerving.

“Reece, I understand this may be—”

“Levi,” Reece interrupted him. “I’ll be fine.”

The expression on Levi’s face told her that there was something more to this woman, and he was attempting to figure out how to make Reece aware of it.

“I get the feeling there’s something else I need to know?”

Levi smiled sympathetically while he swallowed a bite of food. “You may need to have an open mind for this next part.”

He had her attention. “Go ahead,” she said with an encouraging smile.

“Queen Galleta knew your ancestor, Paul Xylander.” He paused. “Personally,” Levi said in a low voice.

Come again?
Reece sank back into her seat, striving to grasp the concept. “How is
that
possible?”

“This is the part that you need to keep an open mind about.”

Reece took a sip of her tea. “Obviously.”

“When the Pemdai rescued Galleta and her people from the destruction of their dimension, they brought them into Pemdas to take up residence. They stopped aging the moment they left their domain; it was as if their bodies froze in time.”

Reece looked at Levi with disbelief. “Impossible.”

“Unreasonable, maybe, but it is interesting; and yet, very convenient for the Pemdai while we have been protecting Paul’s ancestral line for all this time.”

“How did she know Paul personally?”

“Galleta’s mind-reading abilities were greatly needed when my ancestors fought the Ciatron during their invasion of Earth. When the Guardians were made aware that Paul had created the stone, Galleta was brought in to consult with him. She advised him to trust the Pemdai with his protection, and the protection of his genetic line. Fortunately, he trusted her; and therein, trusted us to protect him and his cause. Because of her friendship with Paul, he revealed the information regarding the genetic imprint he created to pass down through his bloodline to her. Because she is the only living person who knows the details of that imprint, we believe that she will know more about why your mind opened up to me as it did.”

“Well, this should be interesting.”

Levi nodded in agreement. “What makes this all peculiar to me is the fact that I was not seeking the information from your mind when it was delivered into mine.”

“So if Queen Galleta can read my mind, can she read yours as well?”

“Not unless I allow her to.”

Reece straightened. “So when do we meet with her?”

Levi touched his napkin to each corner of his mouth before placing it on the table. “She arrived at the palace close to an hour ago. Once we have finished our breakfast, we will meet with her in my father’s study.” Levi leaned in for the teapot and proceeded to refill both their cups. “Oh,” he said with a mischievous grin, refilling Reece’s teacup as she held it out to him. “I almost forgot...I fear I must be the bearer of bad news for you this morning.”

BOOK: Ancient Guardians: The Uninvited
9.3Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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