Ancient Guardians: The Uninvited Read Free

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