The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Two: Beyond the Veil (6 page)

With a smile Aiva turned back to the crowd, seeking out the faces of Kaemin and Dacian. She’d lost them in the sea of people. Once the music started, they would find her. She hoped they were already making their way to the dance floor. The first song would belong to the King and Queen. There would be time yet for her to locate her partners.

Standing beside the musicians, she smiled to hear the soft notes begin to fill the room, calming the din of conversation. She didn’t want to start pushing through the crowd in fear of missing her parents dance. It was her favorite part of the evening. The way they looked when in each other’s arms. Even now they found their way to the floor, faces alight, feet carrying them gracefully, Thade leading the moves with absolute perfection. Everyone in the room watched them. Their presence demanded attention anywhere they went, and their first dance at the celebration each year was no exception.

At the edge of the floor Aiva could see Edric standing, her heart stopping in her chest at the sight of Callum, casually positioned at her brother’s side. Frantic, she tore her eyes away, staring into the distance. Had he seen her? She couldn’t let him notice her looking. It would ruin everything!

But why was he there if the rest of his family wasn’t? Or could it be that his presence was the reason General Cadell felt comfortable in leaving the King and Queen unattended while he focused on his wife? And where were Kaemin and Dacian? If Callum and Edric had noticed her, they would approach unless she managed to find a way to look occupied. Busy. Unaccepting of their company.

The music slowed before she knew what was happening, indicating the end of the first song. The floor would be open to anyone for dancing once the King and Queen finished. Her heart raced in fear of being accosted by Callum before she had a chance to set her plan into motion. He had to see her happy. Surrounded by men vying for her hand. It was too soon.

“I believe the next number is ours,” Kaemin stated, pulling Aiva from her thoughts. Relieved, she allowed him to take her hand, grateful for his presence. She was saved. At least the next two songs would be occupied by Kaemin and Dacian. Callum would have to wait, if he even intended to approach her at all. It was foolish to think that he had any desire to speak with her, but it was more amusing for her to pretend that she was the focus of his thoughts. It gave her a strange satisfaction.

Stepping onto the dance floor, Aiva took her position in Kaemin’s arms, their distance proper and aligned. He was a good dancer. She’d always admired that in him whenever they had chance to pair up in the past, before he and Calie had become so close. At times she wondered if there might have been a chance for her and Kaemin if Calie hadn’t fallen so head-over-heels for him. “So, it may not be any of my business, but I have become aware of your courting of Calie becoming rather serious.”

Kaemin chuckled, spinning Aiva out away from him, waiting on his reply until she was back in his arms once again. “Yes, you could say that. She means a great deal to me.”

“Does it ever concern you when you think of who her father is? I cannot imagine courting the daughter of a man who has full control of your livelihood. If you did anything to hurt her, he could crush your military dreams and have you on the infantry front lines as fodder before you could even blink.” Aiva watched his face carefully to see if her words sparked any fear. She always wondered how he managed to handle the stress of the relationship when he was so reliant on General Cadell.

“Of course it concerns me, however, I have reason to believe my fears will be laid to rest very soon,” he gave a quick grin, winking to Aiva secretively. “You cannot tell Calie, but I have already spoken with her father. He has given his blessing for me to request his daughter’s hand in marriage. I plan to ask her soon. I just am not sure when.”

Aiva gazed up at him happily. Marriage? It was exactly as Calie suspected. Inside it pained Aiva to think of, though she knew it was something which would happen eventually. Her friends were to the same age as she was. They would be finding suitable partners and entering into matrimony. The only difference between them and her was that they were free to find love. If things didn’t change for her quickly, she wouldn’t have a chance at the same happiness. “That is wonderful news,” she congratulated through her troubled thoughts. “Calie has been unable to speak of anything but her hopes of you asking her. I believe there is nothing to fear in her response. You will have yourself a wife.”

“And what of you?” he asked. “Have you anyone in mind for a husband?”

“I am looking. My parents are insistent that I find one soon,” her eyes rolled heavenward. “My trouble is that I know very few of the men at court. I spend so much time in my lessons and learning how to be Queen that I have little opportunity to focus on luring in a groom.”

“Well, Lord Dacian is quite taken with you.”

She nodded to him, thoughtful. Contemplative of the suggestion. It was the same as what she’d already considered. Dacian was an attractive man, without doubt. He would certainly
look
good in the role of her King. “I will accept his arm for the next dance. We will see where it goes from there.”

When the music ended, she wasted no time in finding Dacian. He carried himself well. More slender in figure than Kaemin, but strong. Perfectly capable of protecting her if she found herself in peril. That was an important quality in the man she was looking for. Much like the knights in the fairy tales her mother had told her when she was younger, her husband would be required to have the skill to step in and save her if she was ever in a situation where her personal knowledge with a blade was inadequate.

Dacian regaled her with stories of his time at sea, battling against the pirates of Luquarr. She hung off his every word, anxious to hear more. His bravery sounded almost too good to be true but in his arms, she was willing to believe anything. As long as he kept speaking. She loved the sound of his voice. Smooth. Sexy.

Every song brought with it a new partner, the men taking note of her unusual openness to dancing, coming from every direction to seek her hand. Her plan couldn’t have worked better. Any fear of being left without the company of a young suitor at her side had dissipated, her head now spinning from the conversation and laughter she shared with every gentleman she came across. Time passed in a blur of faces and twirling around the dance floor. Her attention was so distracted, she barely took note of Calie’s arrival, immediately taking Kaemin’s focus away from anyone else. Not that it mattered now. He had granted the introduction to Dacian, and for that Aiva was forever grateful.

Taking pause near the edge of the dance floor, Aiva drew in a breath, feet aching. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d danced so much! Why she didn’t do so more often was baffling to her. It was relaxing, to let go of everything, and simply enjoy being who she was. The Princess. The woman every man wanted to be with and every woman wanted to be.

“Might I request the next dance with you, Your Highness?”

Aiva’s heart sank at the sound of the voice in her ear. Callum. And to think, she’d been doing so well! She refused to acknowledge the request. He wasn’t deserving of a dance with her. “I am sorry. My card is filled.”

“You do not appear to be dancing the song which currently plays.”

“I have danced every song without rest prior to this. A girl needs to stop and breathe from time to time.”

She made no move to turn and look at him. She didn’t need to see his face to sense the disappointment at her rejection. Good. He would experience more where that came from if he didn’t take the hint. Out of the corner of her eye she could see a young man approaching with whom she’d danced previously. He looked hopeful, hand outstretched to her. A savior in her moment of need. With a smile she accepted him, moving to take a step back onto the floor.

“I thought you were in need of breath,” Callum gazed at her, disheartened

“It seems I have caught it,” she stated calmly. Anxious to get away, she took the lead, pulling the man along behind her. Pride swelled in her heart to leave Callum there, staring after them. She could feel his eyes on them while they danced, occasionally allowing her gaze to wander, satisfied to see him watching her every move with an almost wistful expression. Drawing her shoulders back, she did everything she could to make her figure appear more flattering, smiling wider, laughter louder than usual to give the illusion of a greater enjoyment from the company of her partner.

Knowing Callum was now close by, it made her requirement of new dance partners more desperate. She couldn’t give any moment of rest between songs. To pause would provide him another chance to approach her, and she didn’t want to risk it. She’d turned him away once. If he tried to drag her into a deep conversation, it would be harder to walk away without drawing attention.

Another song ending, Aiva could see Dacian in the crowd. She waved to him, beckoning him to her. He came without hesitation. She didn’t expect he would turn down another opportunity to show off on the dance floor. The crowd was already talking in whispers about the number of dances she’d shared with him in a single night. They spoke loud enough for her to overhear. If word reached her parents, it might appease them for a while at her attempts to seek a groom. She couldn’t know with any certainty if she felt that strongly for Lord Dacian, but he impressed her more and more with every second spent in his presence.

“Your stamina is unmatched,” Dacian grinned, guiding her through the steps of a romantic waltz. If only he knew how thankful she was for the slower pace of the song, her lungs screaming for air under the exertion of the fast numbers which preceded it.

“It is hardly a difficult task to keep up when one’s dance partner is as pleasant as you,” she smiled playfully. It seemed important to flatter him. To let him know that she had taken an interest. With any luck, she might be able to acquire his company again, away from the watchful eyes of Callum – and everyone else at the celebration. He was worth taking the time to get to know when she wasn’t occupied with the constant torment of another man.

She gasped in surprise to find Callum suddenly beside them, his hand coming to rest firmly on Dacian’s shoulder. “Lord Dacian. I hate to intrude, but if I may steal your partner for a moment.”

“Of course, Commander.” Dacian stepped back, his face contorting in confusion at Callum’s approach. He stood, staring at Aiva in disbelief before slowly finding his way into the crowd.

Her anger rose in the presence of Callum. Forcing his company on her. Jaw clenched, she remained stiff as his hands took their position around her for the dance. “Did you just pull rank on my partner?” she demanded. Her voice was cold. Hard. It was astonishing, the audacity he had in using his superior status to coerce Dacian into giving up her hand.

“It seemed the only way I would find a chance to speak with you.”

“If you hoped for pleasant conversation, then you chose the wrong method of gaining my attention.”

Aiva felt her pulse quicken. There was something about the way he was looking at her. She didn’t like it. She didn’t like anything about his closeness. In his arms there was no escape. The firmness of his frame. He was stronger now than she recalled. The scent of his cologne was soothing. Sweet. She hated how much she enjoyed everything about his company, except for him. Why couldn’t he have been anyone else in that ballroom?

People were watching them. More whispers passing between the courtiers. Everyone had seen the intrusion Callum made upon her and Dacian. It was enough to raise suspicions. Curiosity. From the head of the room she was even aware of her parents gazing at them with heightened interest.

Firm in her decision not to give him satisfaction, she stared straight ahead, the shining gold of the buttons on Callum’s doublet blurring into round specks which filled her vision. She refused to look at him. He would not have the pleasure of seeing her eyes, nor did she have any desire to see his.

“Have you been well?”

She let his question linger on the air between them. Why did he even ask? “That never seemed important enough for you in the past. I feel compelled not to answer.”

“Your well-being has always been important to me.”

“Then perhaps you should write my brother a note and ask
him
how I am doing.”

Frustrated, she broke away from his hold, a short curtsy signaling the end of her participation in the dance. She couldn’t keep up the act through her growing rage. He was ruining everything! There was no fun in her game when he’d found a way to win. It was best if she excuse herself from the celebration. There was little there to keep her interest any longer.

The room was uncharacteristically quiet as she made her way to the door. This was one of the times when she wished people cared less about the details of her personal life. It was none of their business.

Stepping into the foyer, she drew a breath, clutching uncomfortably at the stiffness of her bodice. She needed air. A walk would do her some good. Through the privacy of the inner palace courtyard. It would be off-limits to the guests of the party. One of the few places where she might be able to regain her senses. She needed to think.

“Your Highness,” Dacian’s voice came as a welcome relief to Aiva’s ears.

Yes. He was exactly who she wanted to see. If Callum tried to come after her, he would find them in each other’s private company and have no choice but to leave. If he created too much of a disturbance, she could have him removed from the palace. She didn’t care who his father was. It would be out of line for him to presume he had any special rights within the royal home. “Lord Dacian. I was just about to go for a walk, if you would like to accompany me.”

“I would like that very much,” he smiled, moving over to take her arm in his. “I was worried you might be leaving the party. Did the Commander say something to offend you?”

“The Commander is very good at saying nothing,” she scoffed. “I was more disheartened that I was taken away from your company. It seems we have a chance to rectify that, however. Have you ever seen the palace gardens? They are said to be the most beautiful gardens in all of Tanispa.”