Ancient Guardians: The Uninvited (41 page)

Levi stood, ignoring the man’s request and looked at the warriors restraining Mark Prather and the soured horse. “Take the man to the Isle dungeons.” He looked at the men holding the horse as he sheathed his dagger. “Destroy that soured animal, the Pemdai will never fall victim to such a beast again.”

With Levi’s orders, the men departed quickly.

Levi removed his bloodied breastplate and tossed it on the ground. He turned and called for Areion as he approached Reece, “I must get her home,” he said to Harrison as he cradled Reece and helped her into Areion’s saddle. “She must be assessed and given the proper treatment by a physician. I will see you this evening.”

Harrison mounted Saracen, “Your Guardians and I will take care of everything from here.” he said as he turned his horse toward the waiting men.

Levi hoisted himself up onto Areion and held Reece in a tight embrace. She leaned into him, fully content she was safe in his arms again.

He gently kissed her on the forehead, “Let us get you home, love.” He said as the large group of Guardians parted, allowing an open path for Areion to bring Reece and Levi out of Armedias.

Levi:

L
evi rubbed his forehead and gripped it tightly. He slumped back into his chair and ran his long fingers through his hair. He gazed at his desk and the papers scattered over it. How long had he been sitting here going over the words he would say to honor his father tonight?

He stood up and walked over to the windows that looked out over Pasidian River, which was carved through the palace’s front lawns. The beautiful scenery was replaced by images that he believed would never leave his mind now.

What am I thinking? What am I doing?
Levi thought as he pulled away in the midst of their kiss. What made him believe that he could ever truly love this woman, or that she could be the future Empress of Pemdas? He had to find a way to end this pointless relationship. He didn’t want to hurt her; it wasn’t her fault. She was one of the finest young women of his acquaintance. She had a sweet-natured personality, and she was a beautiful woman; however, Isabelle Hamilton was not the woman for him.

“Levi? My darling, is everything okay? You’ve appeared to be somewhat withdrawn from me this entire visit.” She peered up at him from under her long lashes.

Levi exhaled as she reached for his hands, and he resisted the urge to pull them away from her.

“Forgive me. I am not feeling quite myself these days,” he acknowledged.

She smiled in relief. “Levi, you know I will always love you with everything that I am. I know something more is bothering you. You must learn to open up to me.”

She brushed her soft, delicate fingers along his cheek. Once again, Levi resisted any abrupt movements, for fear of shattering her heart.

She cleared her throat. “You and your family are leaving within the hour to return to Pasidian, and I do not wish for our farewell to be as such. Please, talk to me.” Her voice cracked.

He looked down into her tear-filled eyes and took both her hands into his.

“Isabelle, I do not wish to cause you pain, but I trust that if I do not say this now, I will only bring you further grief.”

She inhaled softly as he continued.

“Forgive me; I do not know how to say any this, for I fear it will sound heartless—”

“Levi, don’t! Please,” she begged him.

“I cannot make you happy, Isabelle. I know that our families want nothing more than to see us married; however, I cannot grant their wishes.”

“What have I done to push you away?”

“You’ve done nothing, Isabelle. I am simply not in love with you.”

The words were harsh, and he knew it. He led her to believe that she had a future with him, but all he was aiming to do was fulfill his duties as the intended ruler of Pemdas.

Tears spilled out of her eyes. Levi sighed, and cradled her in a gentle embrace.

“Isabelle, we are young. We have our entire lives before us. I am only twenty years of age, and you seventeen. I have recently finished my Guardian training, and will begin serving on Earth within the week.”

She sniffed and looked up at him. “Is that what this is about? If it is, I will wait for you. I will wait to start our lives together.”

“I am not ready to commit to anyone or anything. I’ve only ever wished to be a Guardian on Earth. I have selfishly courted you to do what Pemdas desires of me. I may have to be the emperor someday, and I may perhaps have to marry a woman of royalty, but I do not wish to consider any of those thoughts at this time. Please, you must understand. I don’t not wish for you to waste your youth waiting for a love that may never blossom for you. Find someone who will love you for the wonderful woman that you are, and will be. I am not that man.”

It was finished; however, it wasn’t going to come without a price, and Levi knew it. He avoided the speculative gazes that were cast in his direction as his and Isabelle’s family became aware that Levi had ended his courtship with the Duchess of Sandari. His mother looked at him with concern, yet said nothing. She and his father loaded into their carriage, and soon after, they all departed the Hamilton’s estate.

As he and Harrison rode on horseback alongside the convoy, Levi’s thoughts were elsewhere. He thought about his relationship with Isabelle, and wondered why someone so perfectly suited for him did not appeal to him. His entire life he had been surrounded by ladies who were the picture of sophistication, born and bred to be an emperor’s wife. However, everything about their intentions toward him seemed self-serving. Would it ever be possible to find a woman who would look into his eyes and love him for the man that he is, and not the title he held?

As charming as these ladies were, it was obvious that they were more interested in what they would receive as a result of marrying him, than they were with him. He laughed at himself inwardly, for he knew that the possibility of finding a woman who would love him wholeheartedly regardless of his station in life was probably nonexistent.

“Hey, daydreamer!” Harrison called out, pulling Levi out of his thoughts.

Levi glanced over to find his cousin with a broad grin stretched across his face. “What, Harrison?” He snapped.

Harrison laughed. “Are you thinking about rekindling the relationship you just blew to hell back there?”

Levi rolled his eyes, and shook his head. “I’ve got eight more hours to figure out how will explain my actions to my mother.”

“Levi, you are ridiculous! So when are you going to let me in on this epiphany that you had?”

Levi stared darkly at his cousin. “I’m really not in the mood.”

Harrison sighed dramatically. “Give me the details; I need to be able to defend you when the gossip begins. I would rather hear it from you, instead of my sister—or worse than that—Simone.”

Levi grinned. “I envy you.”

“Ha! How’s that? Please enlighten me.”

“Tell me; how is it that you can walk in and walk out of any relationship you choose, at any time? You leave the girl broken-hearted, and your family is okay with it? More than that,
you’re
okay with it? Why can it not be that way for me?”

“Well, first of all, you’re nothing like me. Secondly, I don’t feel obligated to impress anyone.” He laughed and then went on. “And thirdly, I’d hardly call them relationships.”

Levi rolled his eyes. “Harrison, I have witnessed more than one woman slap you across your smug face in almost every kingdom we visit together; and soon thereafter, another is in your arms.” He looked over at Harrison. “How do you manage that?”

Harrison shrugged and shifted his weight in his saddle. “Well, I look at it this way; all of the times I have been slapped pale in comparison to the marvelous time I had with the woman who slapped me.”

“That makes no sense.”

“It makes perfect sense to me. You will not find me locked down in a relationship with any
one
woman. I will not let any woman claim me as her possession.” He laughed. “That’s what they do, you know.”

“Oh? How’s that?” Levi said, deciding to humor him.

“Well, for example, let’s say I am courting Isabelle. She immediately assumes we are intended to be married, and then she waits impatiently for me to ask for her hand in marriage. Then, let’s say we attend a ball. At this ball, my eyes are innocently drawn to other beautiful women in the room; and as a result, she slaps me across the face for no reason.”

Levi laughed. “I think you are being a little dramatic.”

“Absolutely not! Levi, women are possessive creatures. I am only saying; I will enjoy their company and their lovely lips, so long as they understand I am not theirs to possess.”

“Perhaps you are right, Harrison; however, I believe you will retract these words one day.”

Harrison shook his head. “Nope. There is no woman who will ever steal my heart in such a way. I guard it well.”

They reached the palace with plenty of daylight left. After a fresh change of clothes and something to eat, Levi made his way to the stables in order to go to a more private setting.

He stopped abruptly when he noticed his father waiting with his horse in the stable yard.

“Father, I will return after a while. I am in no mood to be lectured,” he said, as he walked to where Areion waited.

Navarre mounted his horse and grinned. “Regardless of your mood, son, you are coming with me.”

As badly as Levi wanted to ignore his father’s command, he didn’t want to face the consequence of doing so. Navarre led them to an area that Levi had never been before. The steep and demanding climb up the mountain made Levi curious as to what his father had planned. After they made it to the top, Levi was awestruck by the magnificent sight before him. The panoramic scene swept from Pasidian Palace, all the way to the ocean.

“Why have you not ever told me of this place?” Levi asked as they dismounted.

Navarre smiled and clapped Levi on his shoulder. “I am surprised that with all of your exploring, you have never discovered it for yourself.”

Levi laughed. “I am, too.”

“Son, my father brought me here when I was a bit younger than you are now to speak with me about what my intended duties as emperor would be when the day came.”

Levi’s lips tightened.
Here it comes.

Navarre walked over toward the edge of the mountainside that overlooked the valleys below. “Son, whether you want to accept this or not, it is in your blood. You will stand as emperor over all of Pemdas. Everyone will answer to each and every command you give them. Kings will seek your advice, and they will be at your mercy. Other dimensions will depend on your Guardians and your knowledge. Earth, of course, will always rely upon your best judgment when decisions need to be made on their behalf. You must prepare yourself for this.”

Levi rubbed his forehead, agitated about the subject his father wanted to discuss with him.

Navarre regarded Levi with a stern gaze. “Levi, it is my responsibility to help you come to a better understanding of what being the emperor of Pemdas entails, and to be of support as you cope with the great duty of it.”

Levi felt his jaw muscle spasm, not realizing how tightly he was clenching his teeth together. “Father, if this is about Isabelle, please, you do not need to explain to me about being the emperor—”

“Of course this is not about Isabelle.” He laughed. “Well, not in the manner you believe. I am aware that you are trying to please your mother and me, but marrying a woman because of her royal lineage is not what we expect of you. On the other hand, it would come in handy for your wife to be as such. I want you to understand that we are not upset over you ending that relationship.”

“What?” Levi stared at his father, confused.

“Son, please, these kinds of talks are not in my expertise. Your mother can find a better way to inform you about love and those sorts of things. Just know that we expect you to find a woman who will make you happy,” he grinned sympathetically, “as you will greatly need that, when the day should come that you will stand as emperor.”

Levi’s lips tightened as his eyebrows knit together. “Father, regardless, I don’t want this life.”

“Levi, you are still young. You need not have any concern. I am not asking you to rule all of Pemdas tomorrow.” Navarre laughed.

Levi sighed in relief. He loved his father more than anything, and couldn’t imagine the day he would have to say goodbye to him indefinitely. Navarre was wise beyond his years, and Levi understood there was much to learn from him.

“Well, Father, I will allow you to educate me on how I should approach being emperor one day, as long as you promise me one thing.”

Navarre nodded.

“Don’t die anytime soon—give me some time to live a normal life first.” Levi grinned.

Unexpectedly, Navarre smiled, and brought Levi into a tight embrace. “Son, I plan to be around for a long time, and to hold my grandchildren in my arms.” He stepped back and laughed.

Levi arched an eyebrow sharply and exhaled in laughter. He stood tall next to Navarre. “So, Father, what is it you wish to advise me on?”

Navarre put his arm around Levi’s shoulders, and together they stared out at the ocean. “You see, Levi, I like to compare the responsibility of emperor to that of an ocean—”