Chapter 31

The Guardians immediately went to work on drills working with the bow and arrow. This tribe’s technique on the bow was much different than most were accustomed to. Instead of using quivers to carry their arrows while firing them, they were skilled with holding the arrows with their draw hand. This made their pull faster, and the arrows delivered to their target as swiftly as a bullet.

After conditioning himself somewhat, Levi went to set his bow to the side as Harrison called him out.

“Gentlemen,” he proclaimed with a grin, “it is time we put our stealth to good use.”

Give him a chance to play Robin Hood, and Harrison will capitalize upon it.

“What exactly do you have planned, Commander?” Levi asked, knowing it would most likely be a draw between him and his cousin.

Harrison’s eyebrows shot up. “Split the arrow.”

Levi wanted to roll his eyes at the dangerous game he and Harrison learned years ago, but this was an excellent drill for the Guardians to run.

Levi positioned himself close to fifty yards from Harrison. Once both men were facing each other, Harrison drew his bow as Levi began calculating the exact location and speed the arrow would travel. Without fail, the instant that Harrison released his arrow, Levi drew his and split Harrison’s arrow down the center. The arrows both dropped, and Harrison nodded toward Levi.

“Your turn.”

“I almost lost you once today, my friend,” Levi taunted.

Harrison shook his head and grinned. “Draw,” he returned.

Levi did, and Harrison stopped the arrow with his own as easily as Levi had. The group of Guardians laughed, and it was apparent they were eager to begin the new drills.

Levi and Harrison went back and forth like this for some time before Levi ended their drill. It was invigorating to run such challenging maneuvers, and it took Levi’s mind off the night that awaited all of them. In truth, it was slightly frustrating to Levi and his men that they were to join in on the celebration that Shallek and his people were arranging. Being men of valor, celebrations before a battle were not part of their nature, especially now, when there was so much at stake. Their mission had already been compromised by the loss of the majority of Reece’s abilities, and by the ambush that nearly took all of their lives. Regardless of Levi’s opinions, he couldn’t take issue with it. They needed these people so that they would be successful in recovering Navarre.

“Emperor?” Normila said upon her approach.

Levi halted his conversation with King Hamilton, who had just approached, and turned to greet her. “Yes, Normila.”

“I have prepared rooms for you and your empress. If you are ready, I will take you to them.”

“Allow me to retrieve my wife from the location where our wounded soldiers are.”

Levi grinned when he walked into the room. He watched how Reece cared for the last of the brutally wounded Guardians. His heart swelled with pride as she not only continued to help administer medicines, but consoled them as well.

Levi didn’t have long to admire Reece before she noticed him standing in the doorway. She brought a basket of white fabric over to a table and walked over to him with a vibrant smile.

“I continue to be awed that these men survived.” She looked at the Guardian she was just with. “Mr. Laurent had a wound to his heart. Because of that, the poison spread quickly through his veins. I wasn’t sure he would recover.”

Levi walked over to the young Guardian who had closed his eyes. “Laurent,” he called out, but the man’s eyes remained closed.

Reece took his hand. “His body is trying to heal, so he’s drifting in and out of sleep. He is quite lethargic, but the poison has left his system.”

Levi nodded and turned to Reece. “They have prepared the location that you and I will be residing in for the evening. Normila is here to show us our room.”

Reece wound her arm through Levi’s as he escorted her from the building.

They followed Normila deeper into the forest and climbed a wooden staircase that spiraled around the trunk of a massive tree. Once at the top, they walked along a drawstring bridge, which led them to a hut. Normila opened the door and gestured for them to walk in.

“There is bread and fruits for you on the table. If there is anything else you and the empress need, please let me know. I will leave you both for now, as I must join my mother to help with the festival arrangements.”

“We will be fine. Thank you for everything, Normila,” Reece answered with a kind smile.

“You are welcome. I will see you at the celebration tonight.”

Levi looked around the small room. All of the furniture was fashioned from carved wood. The hut was small, with barely enough room to place a dining table in one corner and a bench and three chairs in another. At the other end of the room was a doorway that led into a small area where a simple bed was situated.

Reece turned and smiled up at Levi. Even though she was doing very well with the nourishment she had been provided, she looked fatigued. Her face was slightly pale, and she appeared to have lost weight. “Reece, are you using your abilities to overcome your natural exhaustion or hunger at the current moment?”

She nodded. “I have to. I was starving again when you and the Guardians arrived. We haven’t really stopped since.”

Levi looked over at the table that had four loaves of bread and a variety of fruits on it. “I am only asking because I am concerned for your health and that of our child’s. I must request that you refrain yourself from using those abilities to shield yourself from hunger or rest. I do not want to risk you becoming ill in any way. We have been offered a reprieve, and you should indulge yourself in nourishment while you are able to.”

“You’re right. I don’t want to risk hurting the baby either.”

Levi followed Reece over to the table and sat adjacent to her. Once seated, Reece reached for the basket of bread and fruits and immediately began eating as if she hadn’t eaten in weeks.

“Are you that famished, my love?”

She nodded while chewing the piece of bread she placed in her mouth. She swallowed the bite. “I don’t want to seem ungrateful, but this bread tastes awful.” She tore off a piece and handed it to him. “Here, taste it.”

After Levi swallowed the piece she offered him, he smiled sympathetically at her. “Reece, the bread tastes perfectly fine to me.”

She sighed. “Let the strange pregnancy cravings begin. You know what does sound delicious?”

“What is that?”

“The tomato basil soup that the Anders’ make at their restaurant in Casititor,” she answered.

Levi shook his head and exhaled. He sat back in the chair and looked around at the furnishings in the room.

“Levi?” Reece questioned him.

He turned back to her. “Yes.”

“Something’s bothering you. What is it?” she said while continuing to eat.

Levi reached for the pitcher of water, poured it into a wooden cup, and offered it to Reece. “I will admit, I am becoming somewhat frustrated by everything at the moment. I am greatly appreciative of these people and everything they have done to help us; however, we do not know much about them. Since we need their assistance, we are at their mercy, and I am uncomfortable with that. Right now, we should be making our plans to recover my father and destroy these Olteniaus females.” He rubbed his forehead. “Instead, these people would rather have a festival and celebrate the idea of it. It makes absolutely no sense to me, and it has slowed our mission down even more.”

Reece reached for his hand, and her tender touch seemed to relax some of the tension that was building up in him. “I completely agree with you, but we have to keep in mind that without their help, we wouldn’t be able to recover your father at all. We have to be patient. Besides, we still have men who are recovering.”

“I understand; nevertheless, it is difficult for me to have patience while I watch you sacrifice your well-being as you carry our child in this dangerous galaxy.”

Reece softly laughed. “Levi, quit worrying about me; I’m hardly sacrificing anything.”

Levi’s lips twisted. “I disagree.” He looked down at the bread she was forcing herself to eat. “You should be home at the palace, sending for the soup you currently have a great desire to eat.” He looked back at the room they were in. “Instead, you are here in this strange place, and I am unable to ensure that your every need is met properly. Not only that, but once these people finally decide to plan our attack on the fortress, we will soon leave, and your and our child’s life will be put in great danger once again.” He ran his hand aggressively through his hair. “I want this over with, Reece. The longer we sit here doing nothing, the less control I feel I have over any of it.”

Reece stood up and walked over to him. Levi extended an arm, inviting her to sit on his lap. When she did, he wound his arms around her waist and leaned his head against her chest. He felt her chin rest on his head, while her fingers ran tenderly through his hair.

“I listened as your mother gave your father excellent advice when he could send no more men to Earth to recover you and Harrison when the Ciatron took you all. He had finally admitted to himself and to her that he failed you, Harrison, and all of Pemdas.”

“This is different,” He softly argued.

“It may seem that way, yes. But really, it’s not. Your mother told your father that she wouldn’t allow the one dangerous trait that you seem to have inherited from him take over.”

Levi exhaled. “Oh? What is this dangerous mannerism I have?”

Reece kissed the top of his head. “The ability to overreact or become upset in situations you have no control over.” She cupped his chin and brought his gaze up to meet hers. “Levi, just as your mother reminded your father that he had to trust you and his men because there was nothing more anyone could do, I shall tell you the same. Quit worrying about me and the baby. Our warriors will take care of us, and you know that. Whether we have to wait to form plans or not, you know very well the Guardians will execute them flawlessly.”

“Reece—”

She held a finger to his lips, preventing him from saying any more. “No. Quit stressing yourself out like this. I’m not sacrificing anything. So what if I don’t like the food I’m eating? At least I have food to eat. I understand your impatience in wanting to get this over with, but you have to realize that even if you don’t have control right now, it will be okay. We will be back on our horses resuming our mission soon enough. If you sit here and concern yourself over unimportant issues like what I want to eat, you will not be able to lead your men properly. I’ll be eating a bowl of tomato basil soup before we know it. We are not in a position to be anything but grateful.”

Levi stared deeply into her purposeful eyes. “I love you.” He brought his hand to her cheek. “And you are correct. I will do my best not to overly concern myself with any discomfort you may have.”

She kissed his lips. “When we get back to the palace, you can spoil me all you want. For now, we need to stay focused on why we are here, and that’s to recover your father,” she said as she covered up a yawn.

“You should lie down for a while,” Levi said with concern.

“That sounds wonderful. Go find Harrison. Maybe he’s talked to someone and has more information for you.”

Levi cradled her in his arms and stood. “I will do that.” He said while walking her into the other room. Once Reece was settled under the blankets, he leaned over and kissed her. “I will return for you within a few hours when they are preparing to start their festivities.” He sat on the side of the bed and ran his hand over her abdomen. “For now, get some rest.”

She gazed up at him with droopy eyelids. “Can you hear the heartbeat right now?”

Reece had lost the battle of trying to keep her eyes open, and she smiled in response. “Even with my ability to hear really well, I haven’t heard it yet. You’re lucky you get to,” she said distantly before curling up on her side and falling fast asleep.

Levi sat there studying her for a moment while he ran his hands through her long, wavy hair that cascaded over the pillow. He leaned over, kissed her softly on her forehead, and then stood to leave the room.

After Levi left Reece to rest, he walked out to where the Guardians continued running various drills with their bows and pulled Harrison off to the side. After Harrison informed him there was no information to give, his frustration began to rise.

“You appear to be quite distressed. Is it Reece?” Harrison asked.

Levi studied him for a moment. “I must inform you of some news, as this information will possibly alter our plans to attack the fortress entirely.”

Harrison’s brow furrowed. “Very well. What is this news?”

Levi exhaled. “Reece is with child.”

Harrison’s eyebrows shot up, and his expression radiated excitement. He coughed out a laugh of utter shock and clapped Levi on his shoulder. “Indeed? Congratulations! This most assuredly is wonderful news.” He shook his head, and his grin widened. “I should have known you two would waste no time,” he teased.

“Of course,” Levi grinned slightly, “and thank you. I am overwhelmed with happiness, but my concerns have been elevated for her and the baby’s safety on this journey. She should not have ever been required to join us on this mission.”

Harrison nodded. “It is understandable that your concern is great, but you know very well there was no way to do this without her. Even at that, we have kept her safe thus far, and we will continue to do so until we return her and the future heir to Pemdas to their home safely.”

Levi exhaled, staring past Harrison and out to the Guardian warriors who were relentlessly training for their next battle. “I simply wish she was not subjected to the rigors of such a dangerous world, and in the company of thousands of foreign warriors.” He looked down, shook his head, and softly kicked a small rock with the toe of his boot.

Harrison sighed. “Well, if we were not at the mercy of a tribe of festive natives right now, I believe we would be working together tonight to form our plans to leave before sunrise tomorrow.”

Levi’s lips twisted in defeat. “It is aggravating to me as well. How are our men handling this setback?”

Harrison glanced at the men standing behind him. “The men are anxious to resume our journey, but so long as they keep themselves busy, they seem to cope fairly well.”

“I have not had the proper opportunity to thank you—and also to scold you—for saving my life today.”

Harrison grinned. “As if I would have made any other decision. Oddly, I was not fast enough in removing us both from harm’s way.”

Levi shook his head. “That situation was unpredictable in every way. Nonetheless, I did promise a beautiful woman that I would personally see to it that you are returned to her safely,” he said with a reproachful gaze.

Harrison chuckled. “And I promised your lovely wife I would keep you safe as well. Do not worry, my friend, I have every intention of making it back to Angie alive. As a matter of fact, I believe it is time I share some excellent news with you.”

Levi smiled at Harrison’s beaming expression. “Do tell me what agreeable news you have to share.”

“Once we return to Pemdas, I plan to ask Angie if she will become my wife.”

Levi cocked an eyebrow. “Is this so? I assume the honorable King Hamilton has given you his approval?”

“After mercilessly teasing me, yes, he gave me his consent not one hour ago,” Harrison returned smugly.

“You know very well this will not be the end of our teasing. I have waited quite some time for your theories about love,” Levi said dramatically, “to be proven wrong. I must admit, after all of your arrogant talk about the absurdities of love, it is surprising that you would move so quickly to make Angie your wife.”

Harrison nodded with a confident grin. “Very true. Although, I care not what anyone will say or think, this is the only woman I have ever felt this way about, and I will waste no time in securing her as my wife.”

Levi reached out and shook his hand while clapping him on the shoulder. “This is excellent news, indeed.” He sighed and looked out at their surroundings. He grew somber, and he gazed at Harrison with determination. “We must destroy these dark beings and retrieve my father with haste. We have our own celebrations to be shared with our families.”

“Agreed!”