Free Ancient Guardians The Legacy of the Key by SL Morgan

smiled
sympathetically at her. “I’m sure I have probably given you more than enough
information for you to absorb for now. I know this has been quite a stressful
day for you, and I would be happy to answer any further questions you might
have; but for now, I believe it would benefit you more to relax and freshen up.
Allow me to escort you back to the house.”
    Reece, reminded of
her appearance earlier in the bathroom, couldn’t agree more. For the first
time, since she met the man, she truly did appreciate his concern for her. She
placed her delicate hand in his sturdy palm, and rose up. They began slowly
toward the Palace.
    “My mother has a
special room prepared for you,” said Levi. “She has already made plans to
escort you down to dinner tonight. I hope this will be agreeable?”
    Reece looked up and
smiled back at him. She couldn’t help but find his old-fashioned manners
attractive. “I believe it will agree with me, and I thank you for your
concern.”
    Levi smirked. “Then
please allow me to escort you to your room.”

 
    Chapter 6
     
    T he room that was set aside for Reece was astounding. For one thing, it
was enormous! And it had doors that seemed to lead to other rooms—a suite of
rooms, probably, since this one was set up as a sitting room, not a bedroom.
    Levi’s features
lightened with amusement at her surprise. He had guided her here himself,
rather than ask a servant to do so. Maybe so he could watch the country
cousin’s reaction, she thought. She hated to admit it, but she felt
intimidated. “Levi…um…”
    “Reece, this room
has been arranged and prepared for you by my mother. It may be, perhaps, more
than one person requires. However, when accommodating guests, she spares no
detail or comfort, and any attempt to dissuade her from this extravagance will
fall upon deaf ears.”
    Reece could not
help but smile back at his grin. She could tell he was restraining laughter.
“Are all the rooms this big?”
    “Most are, yes.
Some are bigger. We have many close friends and relatives living throughout
Pemdas. We enjoy providing them all of the comforts of their own home while
they visit us, sometimes for months at a time.”
    Reece nodded her
head. “Well…I suppose I can get used to this. Maybe too used to it. I mean,
staying here is probably going to make it difficult when I have to go back to
my two-bedroom apartment in Philadelphia.” She laughed.
    “You will also have
one of my mother’s maidens to attend you. I suppose she will help you find your
way around your chambers as well,” he added. He pressed his lips together in a
fine line, preventing them from turning up into a smile.
    Reece squinted at
him, feigning suspicion, and Levi laughed aloud.
    She lifted her
chin. “This is all very amusing for you.”
    Levi shook his
head. “Please, forgive me. I, in no way, intended to make light of your
situation amongst us. I believe my mother would punish me severely, if she knew
I had welcomed you to your room in this manner.” As hard as he tried to pull
all humor from his face, he did not succeed.
    Reece laughed in
return. “Don’t worry about it; I’ll be fine.”
    Levi became more
serious. “Once you are ready, my mother will be here to escort you to dinner. I
shall see you then. If there is anything extra that you require, the maiden
will be able to assist you, or to fetch one of us, if need be.” He nodded
respectfully to her and made his exit.
    Reece watched him
leave. She was finding him more and more interesting.
    She turned back to
the exceptional room that awaited her. Square columns framed the entry hall and
the living room area. A warm, honey-toned color filled the walls, giving the
room a more intimate feel. At first glance, Reece was truly overwhelmed by the
sight of the room before her.
    The
furniture was lavish, as all the furniture she’d been witnessing in this palace
was. However, it was the way the room was arranged that allowed for a more
intimate feel,