The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Two: Beyond the Veil (37 page)

Callum chuckled to himself at the memory. “I remember a time or two when Edric made his terms impossible to meet and had us thrown out of his make-believe castle. He chased us all the way back to the palace with that big stick he always carried, claiming it was his magic staff.”

“Oh, yes. Edric was always such a grouchy wizard. You were always willing to compromise. I enjoyed doing business with you.” Aiva laughed quietly to herself. They had so many fond memories from their childhood. She wished Edric could be there now. The three of them together would be an unstoppable force. At least they always had been against the invisible foes in their games. It was easy enough to believe that age had made them stronger and wiser than before. Far more capable of dealing with a real enemy – without requiring a crotchety old wizard hiding in her parents’ woods. “But that is the key to how I try to keep my head while doing – grown-up business. I make it a game. I pretend I’m back with you and Edric and that the person I’m speaking to is that grumpy wizard. So if it eases your mind, you can play along with me. Pretend Phaezut is just Edric in a really funny mask and we will just have to work hard to get him to agree to our terms.”

“That is the most ridiculous tactic I have ever heard in my adult life,” Callum pondered. “I like it.” With an approving nod he smiled at Aiva, a hint of the playful boy from their past shining through his brightly glowing eyes. Unable to hold back, Aiva giggled, their laughter mingling together in the spacious room, easing the tension that had been so heavy between them only moments before.

From over their clasped hands, Aiva watched the sparkle of the diamonds on her ring glittering under the light. There on her thumb was the one that had been worn by Callum. The one he deserved to wear for everything he had endured for the good of her family. For the times he had risked his life to save hers since they left home. He conducted himself with such valor. She couldn’t deny, regardless of what might become of them, that he had the heart of a king. There was no one else she could think of who would ever be so worthy of bearing her family crest.

Gently she removed the ring from where it was settled on her thumb, carefully sliding it to its rightful place on Callum’s hand. He stared at it, confused, looking up to her hesitantly. “Aiva, I think it best you hold onto that,” he stammered, lifting his other hand to try and remove the ring. Aiva stopped him, pressing the ring and Callum’s finger tightly under her palms.

“I cannot risk it getting lost. You’re the only person I trust to keep it safe.”

“But it symbolizes something which I will never be. I feel as if I am somehow wronging your family by even touching it.”

“You’re not wronging my family,” she said softly, shaking her head sadly. “My parents chose you to wear this ring. Until we’re back in Tanispa, it would be an insult for you not to maintain it. It is yours. I expect you to honor my family and what that ring represents so long as it is on your finger.”

“You know I will try, Aiva.” He closed his eyes, a faint grimace visible on his features before he opened them again. “I suppose all we can do now is wait to be summoned by the wizard?”

Aiva laughed, louder than she intended, feeling a sensation of giddy nervousness at being so close to Callum, their hands still clasped, seated side by side under the silken canopy of the bed. “I hope he is in an amenable mood,” she smiled. “More importantly, I hope his cooks are skilled. I am absolutely famished.”

A knock at the door distracted them both as they rose to their feet, standing at attention, anxiously awaiting who it could be. One of the maids stepped through the door, nodding to them politely. “Phaezut requests you join him for dinner.”

“That is our cue,” Aiva nodded, wrapping her arm lightly around Callum’s, motioning him forward with a slight bob of her head. “Let us just pray he does not have Edric’s magical staff to chase us away with.”

Aiva observed the area in fascination as the maid led them down the halls, exiting through an arched doorway which opened into a finely landscaped courtyard. The flowers growing in the small gardens looked out of place for the climate, clearly cared for and watered by the many servants Phaezut maintained at the palace. A large awning hung over a walkway leading around the outer walls, exquisitely designed pillars supporting the weight. Torches were set up to illuminate the grounds, drawing Aiva’s attention to a long, low-set table off to the right. Food was arranged on fine dishes from one end to the other, heaped high, the scent delectable to her growling stomach. Several pieces of furniture were positioned around the table, some of which were taken by other guests, already seated and in the process of nibbling at the grapes and breads on their plates. A single long chair could be seen next to the table, Phaezut lying comfortably there, propped upon cushions, arms lifted to beckon Aiva and Callum forward.

“Come! Join us. You are just in time.”

Taken aback by the casualness of the scene, Aiva glanced over to Callum, uncertain of how to proceed. Never had she been invited to dinner at any foreign power’s establishment and been greeted with such relaxed ease. She was expecting an oversized table with Phaezut at the head, seated so far from the others that his voice would be difficult to comprehend. It felt odd to lounge about in the courtyard.

Her nerves were starting to get the better of her. It sounded simple to pretend that they were back home, playing their games with her brother. When faced with the Feh Noq, it was difficult not to recognize the reality of their situation. These creatures weren’t just friends hiding in her parents’ woods. These were very real. And very deadly if she made the wrong move. Lowering herself into a formal curtsy, she averted her eyes from Phaezut. An overwhelming urge to giggle started to take her over. All she could picture was Edric, sprawled out on the chair, surrounded by food in a giant Phaezut mask.
Stop it
, she chided herself.
You are going to make a fool of yourself.

At her side she could sense Callum’s awkwardness as well, their heads tilted together while they both tried to contain their laughter. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t get the image out of her mind. Somehow it was made more amusing by Callum’s strained attempts at concealing his own distraction.

Managing to compose themselves enough to continue forward, Aiva led Callum toward one of the longer chairs, gesturing for him to sit beside her. The arrangement was too unfamiliar. She didn’t want to risk them getting separated and seated on opposite sides of the group. Whatever the usual etiquette was for these people, she wanted Callum with her. A sort of support in case she found herself fumbling. “It is very kind of you to invite us to dine this evening,” she smiled pleasantly. At her words she glanced out into the courtyard at the nighttime sky. It felt strange to be only sitting down for dinner when the sun was due to rise within a matter of hours.

“It’s the least I could do after your rough welcome to our city.” Waving his hand, Phaezut motioned for one of the maids. Without requiring further direction, the maid went to work preparing plates for Aiva and Callum, offering them with a brief nod. “I hope dinner is to your liking. I must admit, I know very little of your people and customs.”

Aiva accepted the plate, eyeing her food suspiciously. From where she was seated, the dinner table was more visible, allowing her to take in the items presented there. At the center she could see a large platter with a strange creature laid out, charred and blackened from the heat of the hearth, yet all too familiar. Swallowing hard, she tried to push the image out of her mind of Kaemin standing over her with his sword, lifting the deadly stinging tail of the ugly beast off her stomach. She covered her mouth with her hand, nausea threatening, making her sick. Staring down at the food in front of her, she wrinkled her nose in disgust. Several dishes displayed a texture reminiscent of sand. None of it looked like that which was served in Tanispa.

“I am sure it will be delicious,” she lied, not wanting to make her disdain obvious. “I must apologize as well for my lack of familiarity with your home country. That dish there,” she motioned toward the platter on the table, “does it have a name?”

Phaezut chuckled heartily, taking a bite of what looked to be a leg of a small animal. “They are specific to Palinon. I am unaware of any translation of it into your language, but my people call it Srekzet. Very deadly in the wild, but a delicacy when prepared just right. The poison is removed, so there is no need to worry. Do eat. We can talk business once our appetites have been sated.”

“Yes, Aiva. You should try some of that,” Callum chortled quietly.

She shuddered at the thought of coming anywhere near it. Aiva forced a smile, hiding her words under the gesture to avoid anyone else overhearing. “I would – but I am watching my figure.”

Everyone was watching them. She didn’t notice right away, though after several moments of silence, it became apparent that the people were fascinated by them. Curious. Not wanting to appear rude, Aiva tried to find something on her plate which didn’t look quite so awful, settling for what appeared to be an unusual pudding. Placing only a miniscule amount on the tip of her spoon, she held her breath, prepared for the worst as she set it on her tongue. The taste was unremarkable while the texture left much to be desired. Beside her Callum took her lead, lips pursed in distaste.

“What is this stuff?” he whispered, leaning in closer to Aiva. “Do they flavor their food with dirt?”

“Perhaps that is also a delicacy around here.”

“There is far too much of it to be considered a delicacy.”

Letting her eyes scan the faces around her, Aiva was embarrassed to discover the others were almost finished with their dinner, accepting glasses of wine being distributed by the servants. Steeling her resolve, Aiva tried to force more of the food down, not wanting to give a bad impression. If she avoided eating, it would look strange to Phaezut. He knew they had been locked in a cell without food and drink for well over a day. Feigning a lack of appetite was out of the question.

By the time she had managed to clear most of the food from her plate, her stomach was already in an uproar, churning wildly. She accepted the glass of wine from the maid, concerned that she might have appeared too anxious to have it in her hands. It was a welcome flavor in comparison to the wretched substance the Feh Noq called food.

“Bring out more wine. I am sure our guests are thirsty after their long journey from the north,” Phaezut called to the servants. Using his long arms he shifted upward on his chair to get a better look at Callum and Aiva from across the table. “It is not every night we get to entertain foreign royalty. I only wish it was on better conditions. You hopefully understand the predicament my people were in. Had we known your identity, a more appropriate welcome would have been prepared. It is not our custom to imprison a possible ally.”

“It is a perfectly reasonable misunderstanding. An associate you believed trustworthy provided inaccurate information. Any cautious leader would have directed their men to do the same.” Aiva accepted a second glass of wine from the maid with a smile, inhaling deeply of the rich fragrance. It was more potent than that which she was used to drinking at home. Thick. Made from something not common in the north. A berry of some kind. She took another sip. “What matters now is that we are here. My hope is that we can find ourselves in a position of trust amongst your people.”

“That is my hope as well,” Phaezut smiled. “Forgive my boldness, but I must inquire – to which of you would I need to speak regarding… arrangements? Business negotiations? As a princess you are more vocal than most I have met while your husband remains silent.”

A faint smirk could be seen on Callum’s lips. “Among our people, it is the elegant and persuasive tongue of the women who handle the royal business. I am merely here for counsel and perspective when requested. You will find Princess Aiva more than capable of holding her own in conversation.”

Phaezut looked Aiva over appraisingly, nodding his head in agreement. He said nothing at first, only casting a knowing smile in Callum’s direction. “Yes, I can see how she might be more persuasive in negotiations. She is a pretty little thing. I intend to put her to the test. You may feel free to offer your counsel if she needs. I hope you at least have a say in matters. If not, then a Vor’shai Prince must lead a very dull and restraining life.”

“There is never a dull moment when in the company of the Princess. She keeps me on my toes. I look forward to seeing you challenge her.”

“Prince Callum has more of a role in making decisions than he likes to make others assume,” Aiva cut in. She hated the idea of Phaezut assuming the Vor’shai men to be worthless. It couldn’t be further from the truth. While the Queen was the ultimate image of a ruler in Tanispa, King Thade had always been very deeply involved in politics. His opinions weighed equally alongside his wife’s, and in some cases had been the only one needed to handle certain government business. The royal family ruled as partners, not superiors. “Along with his role as Prince, he is the Captain of the Tanispan military, headed by his father, General Cadell Zerne. Any discussion involving the army is left in his hands, and at that time it is I who becomes the counselor.”