Chapter 7

When they entered the reception area, Reece gripped the bend of Levi’s arm tightly as the guests stood to acknowledge their arrival. She glanced up and around at the magically illuminated area and was again at a loss for words. She had strolled through the well-manicured gardens of Pasidian Palace numerous times, yet it was decorated in a way that was almost unrecognizable, and Reece could hardly tell what part of the palace they were in.

Iridescent white blossoms glistened like diamonds strung intertwined with the glowing, green ivy that hung over the open reception area. Blue, yellow, and cherry colored blooms were placed meticulously throughout all of the dark green topiary bushes. She realized they were in the back of the palace when Levi led her over a familiar bridge that brought them to a large, ornate fountain. It was the fountain where Levi and Reece had shared their first private moments together on her first night in Pemdas, and it was where they shared their first moment of solitude on the evening they professed their love for each other. That Levi had planned this day to be celebrated at some of the places where they had their most special moments together made the day all the more memorable for Reece.

Long tables, surrounded by guests who were standing and applauding, were decorated with shimmering ivory fabric. On the fabric were crystal flutes and goblets, which were arranged around shiny silver place settings. Enormous vases filled with brilliant blue roses were garnished with more glistening white blossoms that reached up and cascaded down to the tabletop.

Reece glanced up at Levi, who was standing tall at her side and formally, yet cheerfully acknowledging their wedding guests. She smiled as Harrison approached and turned to address the crowd to announce the bride and groom.

While Harrison spoke, Levi leaned down toward Reece and whispered in her ear, “My love, you appear quite shocked by the décor. I do hope these arrangements are to your liking.”

Reece glanced up at Levi and smiled brilliantly into his jewel-like eyes. “I have no words to express how much I love what you’ve done for us today. Everything you have planned has been so thoughtfully orchestrated, and I couldn’t have imagined a more perfect ceremony or reception. I don’t think you will ever cease to amaze me.”

After Harrison finished his announcement, of which Reece heard nothing, he winked at them, prompting Levi to guide Reece to a table facing their guests. Levi, as he had always done, gently pulled out her chair and helped guide her to sit before he took his place at her side. The distraction of servants dressed in outlandish regalia walking out to serve the guests gave Reece the opportunity to speak to Levi without causing a scene.

“Is it just me, or did we get crashed by more wedding guests?” she whispered.

Levi brought a fist to his mouth and gently coughed out a laugh at Reece’s Earthly reference to guests showing up unannounced. He shifted somewhat to face her. “This is only a few of the guests that are to arrive for the celebratory event that will take place after we depart.” He brought his lips close to Reece’s ear, his warm breath causing a brief shiver down her spine. “It appears as though guests are arriving much sooner than anticipated in order to steal a glimpse of their future empress,” he said with humor in his voice.

“Well, don’t ask me to do any speeches, and I’ll be right as rain,” Reece teased.

Levi chuckled and nodded. “All that is required of you is to enjoy the festivities that we will be a part of for the next hour or so. I have no intention of staying at this palace and entertaining guests for very long.” He gently took her hand into his. “My intentions on this day are to entertain only you.” He reached for the chalice that a servant had filled with sparkling wine and handed it to her. “And that is after we have left the palace for our wedding night location,” he said with a wink.

Before Reece could respond, her heart pounding in her chest with anticipation for what Levi was implying, he stood up. He reached for his chalice while the area grew silent to recognize their emperor.

Reece watched with admiration as Levi addressed their guests, “It is my honor and pleasure to have our close family and friends in attendance on one of the most important days of my and Reece’s lives. Today is not only the day that I commit my life to the most endearing woman in all of my acquaintance,” he glanced down at Reece with adoring eyes, and then brought his attention back to their guests, “but this is also a day for you all to acknowledge Mrs. Reece Oxley as your new empress. Now, I humbly request you all to raise your glasses to my bride, Reece Marian Oxley, Empress of Pemdas.”

Reece stood gracefully as she gripped Levi’s offered hand. He brought his chalice to hers, and with the harmonic sound of their glass rims tapping, they sealed Levi’s words with a sip of their sparkling wine.

After they were seated, the staff began serving their meals. She gazed out at the candlelit tables and the enormous crystal chandeliers that were hung in the area and let the soothing sounds of the water flowing out of the fountains calm her unnecessary nervousness.

“Reece?” Levi’s low, smooth voice questioned softly.

She glanced at Levi, spellbound by his vivid blue eyes. She smiled in relief, finding security in them. “Sorry, I’m just a little overwhelmed by everything,” she responded.

Levi studied her eyes for a moment. “Do eat,” he grinned mischievously at her. “I will not have my lovely bride starving on her wedding night.”

After the second course was finished and taken from them, an enormous, opulently decorated cake was brought out by six of the palace’s staff members.

When is the rest of the kingdom showing up to eat all of that? Reece wondered in disbelief. The colossal cake was adorned in silver colored floral patterns, and blue accent roses braided on vibrant gold vines glistened all over it. At the top of the cake sat a crystal figurine of a bride and a groom.

King Hamilton stood and crossed the open area in front of Reece and Levi’s table. He stood in front of the cake that was situated perfectly across from the garden fountain and nodded toward Levi and Reece.

“If our beautiful empress, Lady Reece, will snatch up her husband, who seems to be unable to peel his eyes away from her for less than a moment today, I will gladly commence the cake ceremony,” King Hamilton cheerily proclaimed.

Reece laughed as she noticed a light blush color Levi’s cheeks. He faintly rolled his eyes, stood, and helped Reece to her feet. “Well, Emperor Oxley,” she said with a smile, “let us eat cake.”

Levi offered his arm, smiling. “As you wish, my lady.”

King Hamilton extended an arm to receive Reece as she and Levi approached. “Along with the ceremony of the cake, Levi and Reece will entertain all of you with their first and only dance of the evening, as they will be departing shortly thereafter. As you are all aware, this ceremony has been to honor the traditions of Earth for the lovely new empress. I speak on behalf of the royal family when I say that the festivities of the Pemdai Commitment Ceremony will commence after we wish our emperor and new empress off on their vacation. It is the family’s greatest wish that you stay and celebrate their union, whether or not they are present during this time. Now,” King Hamilton gazed at Reece and Levi with a playful smile, “please stand as we commence the cake ceremony and as Levi and Reece dance in celebration of their union.”

As elaborate as King Hamilton made it seem, the cake ceremony for Reece and Levi was no different than from any usual reception on Earth. They carefully cut into the base of the cake together, Levi’s strong hand gently guiding Reece’s. Levi held the crystal plate with one hand and very delicately placed a piece of the sumptuous cake in Reece’s mouth. As a mélange of sweet and succulent flavors satisfied Reece’s every taste bud, she carefully placed a piece of cake in Levi’s mouth. Although his always enticing lips were tempting her to kiss them, she took a small piece of icing and placed it on the tip of his nose instead. Levi’s eyebrows shot up in surprise and humor. He softly chuckled as Reece grinned at his reaction. After taking the offered napkin from King Hamilton, he brought Reece into his arms and stared adoringly into her eyes.

“I love you,” he whispered before carefully placing his lips on hers.

“The dance, and then we’re out of here, right?” Reece teased.

Levi nodded. “Indeed. I will have the staff send a portion of our cake to our location, along with other varieties of food and wine.” He grinned and offered his arm. “Shall we dance, Mrs. Oxley?”

Reece gathered her dress up with her other hand and walked at Levi’s side as he led her to the glistening dance floor.

Levi brought Reece into a proper dance form, and without warning he placed his hand on her lower back and pulled her in close to him. Elizabeth joined the palace’s orchestra and began playing a new melody she had composed for Reece and Levi’s first dance. There was nothing more enchanting than being in Levi’s arms and staring into each other’s eyes lovingly and longingly. Levi led their dance flawlessly as the guests stood in silent awe, allowing the musical medley to fill the atmosphere. Impulsively, Reece pulled her hands from his and tenderly ran them along his cheeks. Their dance slowed, and her eyes left his questioning ones as she gazed longingly at his lips. What she felt in her heart for him, and her need for his love, was so great that she stopped dancing, even though the music played on.

Levi’s head tilted to the side as he smiled down at her. “My love? Is everything—”

She silenced him with a consuming kiss without a care as to what anyone might have thought. Levi never once tensed or pushed her away in embarrassment; instead, he clinched her tighter to him and returned her loving kiss as everyone else in the room began to fade away from them.

As the music played, petals began to fall from the trees above like tiny snowflakes showering them in a crystal globe. The moment was so surreal that Reece longed to be in her husband’s arms and far from a palace full of guests.

“I knew you both would be unable to wait until this reception was over,” Harrison said in a low, humored voice.

Levi slowly withdrew and brought his arm securely around Reece’s waist. Even though the orchestra played on, the melody was new, and the guests stood and applauded. “Sweetheart, let us bid our guests adieu, and I will escort you to your room so that Jasmeen can prepare you for our departure.”

Reece’s heart raced as she reached up to caress Levi’s cheek. “Do I even get a hint as to where we are going?”

A proud grin stretched across Levi’s face. “Our wedding night destination will include only you and me. No servants or maidens will attend to us until we are ready to depart for our vacation.”

“Will I have an opportunity to dance with my cousin?” Harrison asked with a mischievous grin.

Levi drew Reece’s arm up into his. “Unfortunately, even though we are honoring the traditions of Earth and Pemdas, we are also honoring our own wishes. A short reception was planned, and in my opinion, it has already exceeded that.”

Harrison laughed as he glanced knowingly into Levi’s eyes. “I cannot say that I fault you.” He stepped back and extended his arm toward the waiting guests. “You two lovebirds enjoy your vacation; I will delay you no longer.”

“We will see you upon our return, Harrison.”

After Levi and Reece thanked the guests, Levi escorted Reece to her room where Jasmeen awaited.

An ivory satin corset dress embellished with pearls was what Reece had planned to wear to depart to Levi’s private destination. After she was fully dressed, Reece pulled on her elbow-length gloves as Lady Allestaine and Elizabeth entered her dressing room.

“This has been the most enchanting and wonderful day, my beautiful daughter,” Lady Allestaine said as she approached Reece and hugged her delicately. She handed Reece a box. “I do wish Navarre would have been here to witness this wonderful occasion. Nevertheless, this gift is something special that he wished for you to have.”

Reece tilted her head to the side, studying Lady Allestaine’s tear-filled eyes in confusion. She took the box and embraced her new mother. Reece’s eyes filled with tears, and she was overwhelmed with gratitude for the love she continually received from this family.

“Open the box before we all turn into sobbing messes,” Elizabeth said with a laugh.

Reece opened the box to find a dazzling tiara garnished with teardrop pearls that shone in opalescent colors. It was encrusted with diamond-like crystals and was more ornate than any she had seen before.

Reece stared at the opulent tiara, mesmerized by its beauty. She was startled when Allestaine chuckled. “Allow me to put it on you, my darling.” She gracefully removed the head piece that Reece wore for her wedding and placed the new tiara on Reece’s head. “This tiara was worn by Navarre’s mother as well. It is known in Pemdas as the empress’ tiara. It is also what you will wear during your formal coronation ceremony, whenever Levi and you decide upon when that grand event shall take place.”

“I can’t accept this now. Until the ceremony takes place, it’s yours!” Reece stammered.

Lady Allestaine smiled. “Reece, please do not frazzle yourself over this symbolic piece. Whether or not you have had your coronation ceremony, you are married to the emperor now. As I mentioned earlier, that makes you the empress.”

Reece gazed into Lady Allestaine’s eyes, struggling to find the right words.

Lady Allestaine smiled knowingly in return. “As I told you before, I plan to stand by your side and help in every way that I can.”

“You must believe her, Reece. My mother will not let one ounce of stress befall you over your new position. Surely, you understand that.”

Reece sniffed as tears streamed down her face.

“Darling, do not start to cry.” Lady Allestaine blotted Reece’s tears with a lace handkerchief. “Your husband anxiously awaits you in the courtyard, and seeing tears in your eyes might distract him from the evening he has planned for both of you.”

Reece laughed. “True.” She shook her head and forced herself to focus on the wonderful evening she and Levi were about to share.

“Now, let us get you down to him.”

With that, the three woman left the room and walked nobly through the corridors of the palace and out to the courtyard, where an elaborately decorated coach awaited them.

The courtyard and cobblestone drive were filled with the guests from the ceremony. Levi stood formally at the door and offered his arm. “Once again,” he addressed those filling the area, “my bride and I are honored that you chose to witness our commitment toward one another. It is our hope that you will enjoy the festivities that await you during the next few weeks.”

The crowd cheered as Levi escorted Reece to the waiting carriage. Reece glanced over at Levi as soon as they were seated, his brilliant eyes shimmering. She reached for his hand, gripping it tightly. “I couldn’t be more excited to leave,” she said enthusiastically.

Levi brought his lips to her neck and placed a small bouquet of flowers in on her lap. “There is only one last tradition to uphold. Toss the flowers and allow us to see who will be next amongst our guests to have a wedding ceremony in their near future.”

Reece laughed, placed a quick kiss on Levi’s cheek, and eyed the audience. There could be no one better, Reece thought as she eyed Harrison’s mischievous grin. As the carriage started past him, Reece tossed the flowers directly into his chest, leaving him no other option but to reflexively catch the bouquet. Levi laughed aloud before pulling Reece into his embrace and covering her lips with his. The driver called out loudly, and the horses gained more speed, carrying Levi and Reece rapidly to their wedding night destination.