The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Two: Beyond the Veil (8 page)

“You know what I am like?” Aiva could feel his gaze on her, though she refused to give him the satisfaction of looking into his eyes. “Tell me, Aiva. What am I like? Since you know me so well.”

“I know you have no qualms with kissing women and leaving them without word,” Aiva spat quickly, louder than she intended. Catching herself, she continued more quietly. “By now you probably have quite a list of girls you’ve taken advantage of in garden sheds.”

“You might be surprised.”

“Doubtful,” she scoffed. “I have heard the stories of what soldiers do when not on the field. The way they waste their time and money at the taverns. Enjoying the local women. At least Lord Dacian is Vor’shai. The girls you laid with in Siscal were probably Esai at best. They are known for their half-breeds in the mountains. Or maybe you prefer the human girls.”

“Mine is not the life which has been on trial for the last two days.” Callum spun her around sharply, never missing a beat of the gentle melody. His voice remained low, steady, constantly aware of the watchful eyes around them. “You forget that I could have easily confirmed it all for your parents. Instead, I went against my better judgment and lied. To the King and Queen of Tanispa. And to my father. The General of the military in which I now serve as Captain. Do you have any idea the consequences that could carry if they found out? That is treason, Aiva. Now tell me. Was this worth me dying over? Because they could have my head if they wished.”

Aiva frowned, cursing silently to herself. She was in his debt. “I expected you to tell them everything. I am not entirely sure why you did not.”

“Because some part of me thought we were still friends.”

“If we were friends, you would have stayed in contact with me.”

“If we were friends, you would have written me as well.”

Angrily she lifted her eyes to his, no longer able to avoid it. She wanted to see him. To look into the face of the man who now twisted this into being her fault. “Me?” she gasped. “How was I to write? I had no way to know where to send a letter. I only just learned that you were even out in active duty. And fighting the pirates, no less! Promoted to Captain – I have been under the impression all this time that you were still safely in your training lessons.”

“For a decade and a half?” Callum stared at her in disbelief, the umber glow of his eyes brightening with his growing frustration. “Did you really think the training would take me that long?”

“How could I know any different? I had no word to tell me otherwise – ”

“No word? But I… never mind,” he shook his head, stepping away from her coldly as the music came to an end. “Go find Lord Dacian. Or whatever man it happens to be tonight. I recommend you try to keep a better ear out than last time. I won’t cover for you again.”

Aiva watched him walk off the floor, fists clenched. If she could have slapped him without everyone in Sivaeria seeing, she would have. It was tempting to run after him and do it anyway, though the sight of Calie and Kaemin staring at her from the side of the dance floor diffused her anger before it reached that point. He wasn’t worth it. Besides, he would be gone in a few days anyway and everything would be back to normal.

With long strides she made her way from the floor. The crowd was content. They had their dance between the new Captain and their Princess. To everyone around them, it was a perfect show. Except to her friends. As she approached them, she could see the unease on their faces. The concern in their eyes. “Aiva,” Calie started, taking her hand nervously. “Is something wrong? My brother has been acting strangely since the other night and you look distressed.”

“It is nothing,” Aiva smiled. She couldn’t go into details with Calie. The truth would be awkward. If she wasn’t Callum’s sister, it would have been easier. “Are you and Lord Kaemin enjoying the party?”

Kaemin remained perfectly still at Calie’s side. “I am enjoying it as much as one can, under the current circumstances,” he replied absently. “Frankly, I think every soldier here would rather be somewhere else. Spending time with their families and loved ones before they get sent off to fight. The pirates are creating more trouble for us in Tanispa than I think they are worth.”

“You don’t think our men should go to Siscal?” She was unsurprised by the admission. Many of the soldiers had been against aid being sent to the humans. The pirates had never posed a real threat to the Vor’shai. They preferred to torment the humans in Siscal and Carpaen. Kidnapping citizens on occasion to sell on the slave market. While they had never set foot on Tanispan soil, the King and Queen were aware that it was always a possibility. To Aiva, it was a smart decision to aid in pushing them back. To defeat the raiders before they had a chance to set their sights on Tanispa.

“Don’t mind him,” Calie smiled uncomfortably. “He just found out that his unit might be one of the next deployed. We are still trying to decide what this means for us. There is no telling when he will return. Some of the men spent only a year or two on the seas while others, like my brother, were there for nearly ten. All we can hope for is a transfer into Callum’s regiment. Since they only just returned, his men will be staying in Sivaeria for a few more weeks before setting off again. The other units are set to leave before the week is out.”

“I am sure if you ask Callum he would grant the transfer. You are his sister. It is the least he could do,” Aiva frowned. It was disheartening to think of Kaemin having to leave so soon. And when he had been so excited at the prospect of marriage. If granted the transfer, there would be enough time for an engagement. Even that would be better than nothing.

“Callum has been impossible to speak with. There was some issue involving one of his men. Whatever it was has had him in a bit of a mood. Judging by his quick exit from your company on the dance floor, I think it is safe to assume he is not yet over it.”

Turning around, Aiva searched the crowd for Callum, curious what he had chosen to do after leaving her. It was his celebration. She felt sorry knowing that he wasn’t enjoying himself. To be so angry at your own party. It seemed criminal. She found no sign of him amidst the sea of faces. Her search was cut off at the realization that her mother and father were moving toward the door, General Cadell at their side, heads tilted in toward one another in deep conversation. Their pace was too slow to be anything of importance. No attacks or threats. So what could they have to discuss which would take them away from the ballroom? “Calie,” she said suddenly, her eyes locked on the door where her parents had just exited. “I need to talk to you about something. Will you walk with me?”

Calie nodded, looking up to Kaemin, apologetic. “I will return in a few moments,” she said quietly. Her fingers brushed over his arm, garnering a saddened smile from him in return.

“I will be waiting.”

It tore at Aiva’s heart to see the two of them look so sad. She wished there was something she could do to help. But what good would she be? Callum would never listen to her, and he certainly wouldn’t be willing to grant her any favors. But for his sister? He wasn’t unreasonable. At least he hadn’t been in the past. Currently, she wasn’t so sure.

Breaking away from the crowd, Aiva tried to keep her pace brisk without appearing too determined. Cadell and her parents had a head start. If she didn’t move quickly, she could lose them in the halls of the palace and never learn what their unusual absence involved. “What is wrong?” Calie asked, struggling to keep up with Aiva’s hastened strides.

Aiva hushed her, stepping into the foyer, eyes and ears searching for signs of recent passage. In the distance she could see the figures of her parents alongside Cadell disappearing down one of the private corridors. Taking Calie’s hand, she pulled her along, cautious of every step she took in order to make as little noise as possible, their bodies hugged against the wall to avoid detection. She didn’t want them to know she was following.

At the sight of who they followed, an expression of understanding and curiosity crossed Calie’s features. Their parents were moving toward the courtyard. Perfect. There were a number of places to conceal their eavesdropping in the gardens. All Aiva needed was to reach the door without being noticed. Judging by the focus of the three figures, she doubted they would be paying much attention, assuming everyone else to be safely within the ballroom, unaware of their disappearance.

Aiva and Calie paused at the entrance to the courtyard, Aiva’s foot sliding forward just enough to prop the door open. Careful not to make a commotion, she peered through the crack, waiting until her parents were far enough away to grant her and Calie an opportunity to reach the hedge row unseen. They tiptoed through the door, skirts held high to avoid dragging the hem on the ground.

She didn’t care about damaging her dress. Kneeling on the ground, she crawled along beside the hedges, head low to avoid notice. Calie followed her example, both coming to a stop near the end of the row, pressed low to the grass while listening to the conversation taking place on the other side.

“This must be a difficult decision for you,” Cadell stated, his tone calm. Quiet. Even away from the prying eyes of others, they were being mindful of their volume in speech. “I know how much you have been trying to put this off. Can I ask what has led to your change of heart?”

“Many things,” Leyna sighed. Her voice was melancholy. “She simply takes no interest in seeking a husband, and with Shaelyn and Herryk… You know that Shaelyn cannot marry before the eldest sister. Vorsila would demand the match be declined. Or worse, that the young Lord Herryk be placed on Aiva’s arm instead. I just could not bear to do that to my daughters.”

“So you must arrange a marriage for Aiva before any conflict of interest arises with Shaelyn and Herryk?” Cadell asked.

A rustle of fabric came from somewhere nearby, Aiva’s heart fluttering wildly at the sight of her father drawing near. He was close. She feared they would be discovered. To her relief, his footsteps moved away from the hedges where she and Calie lay hidden. “That is exactly our predicament,” Thade stated. He was more composed than the Queen, though somber in tone. “To choose randomly would be cruel. My wife and I have been discussing the matter since the unfortunate claims made by Lord Dacian. We believe it may be best to choose someone close to the family. It might help to establish a base for the relationship to build on. One more stable than would be possible with a complete stranger.”

Cadell chuckled quietly, almost inaudible. “I suspect I know where this is going.”

“I expected no less,” Thade’s voice came a bit lighter than before. “Callum is a good man. We have watched him grow from a boy into the fine soldier he is now. Edric, Aiva, and he used to be inseparable. Leyna and I could think of no one better to join our family. If you approve the match, that is.”

“Your daughter is much like her mother. Beautiful, though willful. I think she would be a wonderful match for my son. He needs a woman who can put him in his place from time to time.”

Aiva let her face drop down into the moist grass. She couldn’t be hearing this. She refused to believe her ears. Why would her parents do this to her? And after her father had spoken with her about having a chance to choose her groom… Had so much changed in two days that they no longer trusted her ability to find someone? Out of all the men in the ballroom that night, they had to choose the one she despised the most. It was all she could do to keep from speaking out in protest of the decision. She couldn’t let herself give in. Her parents couldn’t know that she was there. It would only make matters worse.

“With your blessing, we were thinking to see the engagement ceremony arranged for mid-week. Given the situation the Siscalians are in with the pirates of Luquarr, the formalities will need to be carried out with a bit of haste,” Leyna added. “By then, the wedding plans will be well underway. We can settle on a date shortly. It is our preference that the marriage be completed within the next two weeks. That would grant them some time in each other’s company before Callum and his men return to sea. Though, we would have to request he come home more frequently than he has in the past.”

“As the Captain, he will find it easier to take leave. A commander will be appointed under him.” Cadell’s voice sounded faint. As if they were moving further away, back to the palace doors. “I will give him the night to enjoy his party. If it pleases you both, I will send him here in the morning to meet with his bride-to-be.”

“I would not have him mention the engagement quite yet.” Thade’s words were growing more indistinct. “My wife wishes to tell our daughter personally of the decision, but we will be indisposed for much of the day tomorrow. It may be a few days before an opportunity for discussion on the matter will be possible.”

Clutching the sides of her head, Aiva refused to sit up. She wanted to stay there. Hidden away where no one would find her. If they didn’t know where she was, they couldn’t force her to marry anyone.

“Aiva, this is wonderful!” Calie exclaimed quietly, scooting along the grass to kneel beside her. “We are going to be sisters!”

“Oh, no, Calie,” Aiva groaned. Miserable, she lifted her face from the grass, spitting a few pieces of stray dirt from her lips. “I can’t marry your brother. This cannot be allowed to happen.”

Calie stared at her, aghast at what she was saying. “What is wrong with my brother?”

“He hates me. He and I are not friends, nor have we been for some time. My parents are mistaken,” she shook her head, dejected. Calie would never understand.

“My brother doesn’t hate you,” Calie argued.

Laughter rose from Aiva, unable to control it, the sound echoing through the now empty courtyard. “Trust me. He despises me. And I cannot blame him. I would despise me as well. I deserve his hatred. But he is not without fault himself.”

“What makes you so convinced of his contempt for you?”

Aiva let her head drop back to the ground. There was no getting around it. She would have to tell Calie the truth. Maybe then they could both argue with their parents the reasons why the wedding couldn’t be allowed. Crestfallen, she picked herself up, settling into a seated position against the prickly hedges. “I was a fool, Calie,” she said quietly. Pathetic. “I was so angry with your brother. He never sent me a single letter when he was away. Not one. If he had died on that wretched ship in the Nahpoa, I would have been none the wiser. And Callum has behaved as if nothing is wrong. As if he hadn’t gone away and forgotten all about me. I wanted him to know how upset I was, but I let things get out of control. Lord Dacian was so wonderful at the ball…”