The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Two: Beyond the Veil (104 page)

Chuckling to himself he nodded to Aiva, the pride visible in his eyes at the mention of his child. “She did,” he practically glowed. “I have been blessed with a healthy son. Soren Diah.”

“You will have to let me hold him,” Aiva smiled. She glanced toward the house where Feolan had come from, unsure of whether or not she should invite herself inside. The door remained open. A woman stood just over the threshold, her long black hair hanging in waves down her shoulders. She was a mirror image of Feolan’s wife, the same emerald glow emitting from her eyes, slender in figure, the pale complexion of her skin giving her an appearance more like a doll than a real woman. “Jaslyn,” Aiva smiled, moving toward her cousin, arms open wide to her in greeting. “You look absolutely lovely. We have missed you at court.”

“I have been helping my mother tend to the baby,” she replied warmly, accepting Aiva’s embrace, her own arms returning the gesture with less pressure, delicate and feminine. The touch reminded Aiva of the wounds upon her back, a pained grimace contorting her features with a sharp intake of breath, drawing Jaslyn’s attention to her discomfort. “Aiva, what is it? Are you alright?”

Footsteps sounded from behind them, Feolan’s voice ringing loudly through the street at the sight of Aiva’s shirt. The damage to the garment hadn’t been visible from inside the carriage. Now she was left with no means of concealing it. “Your Majesty, what has happened to your daughter?”

“We will discuss it once we have the Captain inside and off his feet,” Thade answered flatly, helping Callum through the door as Jaslyn took Aiva’s hand to pull her inside and out of the way.

The house was well furnished, an elegant settee positioned at the center of the main room. Various plants and paintings decorated the walls, shelves adorned with artifacts collected over the years during Feolan’s travels and time in the field when he served in the military before his promotion to Consul. Callum was assisted to the settee, a stool brought in to provide a suitable place for him to prop his injured ankle, keeping it elevated. Seeing him settled, Feolan wandered from the room, returning a few minutes later with what looked to be an old and battered crutch in his hands. Aiva stared at it, curious. It looked to have been handcrafted, carved with incredible attention to detail over each curve. All expression left Thade’s face at the sight of it, chin lifted, jaw clenched.

“For some reason I have held onto this since we cleared my old house. It might do more good for the Captain in his current condition than it does sitting around in my closet,” Feolan mused, examining the structure of the crutch, checking it for any sign of deterioration which might hinder its function. Aside from a few areas where the wood appeared splintered, it looked to be in adequate shape.

Thade continued to stare at it, visibly uncomfortable. “I did not realize it was even still around. I have not seen it since…”

“Yes, it has been a long time,” Feolan nodded, cutting Thade off from finishing his sentence. Aiva glanced between the two men, confused by their strange behavior. Interest piqued by the oddity of the men, she moved to Feolan’s side, her fingers brushing the surface of the crutch. At her approach Feolan released it into her hands, motioning her toward Callum, the smile on his face filled with unease. “It will be enough to allow him to walk on his own when you return to Sivaeria. Just be careful with it. That thing has seen much in its days. It is almost a relic itself from the history of our people.”

Feeling the weight of the crutch in her hands Aiva walked tentatively over to the settee where Callum was seated, his eyes peering at the object with a similar interest, intrigued by the strange reaction it caused in the King and his Consul. She sat down at his side, letting it rest on Callum’s lap for them both to examine. “It looks as if it has seen better days,” Callum murmured.

“It looks about like we do, then,” Aiva laughed nervously, hoping to ease the sudden tension that had come over the room. When her father spoke again the strain in his voice was lessened. Slowly coming to terms with the memories the crutch seemed to bring forward in his mind.

“I made that crutch for your mother many years ago, Aiva,” he stated quietly. “The notches in the wood were acquired in her attempts to fight off the assassins who killed your uncle Enaes.”

“Well, I feel honored to be presented with an item of such significance. If it creates too many painful memories, however, I will refrain from using it,” Callum replied, respectful of the faraway look which remained in Thade’s eyes.

Shaking his head Thade’s lips curled into a soft smile, waving his hand dismissively. “No, not at all,” he said. “I was merely thrown by the sight of it. You will find it helpful in aiding you upon our return to Sivaeria. It will be a more joyous entrance if you are able to walk at my daughter’s side.”

“It will be even more so if the Princess is not dressed in rags. Jaslyn,” Feolan motioned for his daughter to come closer. “Will you see if you or your mother have a dress Aiva can borrow?”

“Of course, Father,” Jaslyn bobbed in a quick curtsy. Aiva watched her leave the room, her steps so graceful that she almost seemed to float along the floor. For a moment she envied the elegance of her friend. Jaslyn was everything Lady Faustine wanted Aiva to become. The perfect image of a lady. Staring down at the pants she wore, Aiva felt a twinge of disappointment. At the same time she couldn’t help feeling an overwhelming sense of pride at the woman she had become. Although she lacked many of the characteristics which were considered to be required of a lady, Aiva possessed many qualities more suitable for a queen. And it was because of those qualities that she had earned the love of the man now seated beside her, his hand sliding away from the crutch to gently clasp hers.

It was Feolan’s wife who appeared first from the doorway where Jaslyn disappeared, her emerald eyes aglow at the sight of Thade and the others. In her arms she held an infant, the tiny form bundled in a blanket, clutched protectively against her chest. “Ah, Thade,” she smiled. “I thought I heard your voice. You and the kids must be absolutely famished from the trip. I insist you all stay for dinner.”

“I would love to accept your offer, but we really should be on our way soon.”

“Nonsense. If Aiva might be persuaded to keep an eye on Soren, I can have Jaslyn help me prepare the food. It won’t take but an hour.”

Aiva was already on her feet. She was anxious to see the baby. It had been years since she’d seen one so tiny, reminded of little Ehren and Sidonie, still at home with their mother, waiting for the return of the King. “I do not require persuading,” she smiled, coming to stand at Maeri’s side. The baby stared at her from his mother’s arms, the soft green of his eyes leaving her breathless. Their gentle hue reminded her of Kaemin, filled with wonder and innocence, gazing at her, wide and curious. “He is beautiful. You must be very proud, Maeri.”

Nodding her head Maeri offered the baby to Aiva, carefully helping to place him in her arms, tucking the blanket around his tiny body. He was so little. She held him tightly, afraid of dropping him. Everything else in the room seemed to disappear. Slowly she made her way to the settee, hearing the voices of the others discussing plans for dinner and future visits to Tanispa to bring Soren before the Queen. She sat down on the arm of the chair, aware of Callum’s hand reaching out to press the blanket away from the baby’s face to get a better look. “He is so small,” he whispered. Aiva chuckled, her eyes shifting from Soren to gaze at Callum fondly.

“Just think. We are going to have seven of our own,” she winked. Her laughter rose at the sound of Callum’s cough, clearing his throat nervously, an awkward glance cast toward Thade where he stood, staring at Aiva, an amused expression upon his face.

“Seven, Aiva? That is quite a number,” Thade chortled. “You will make your grandmother a very happy old woman.” He slipped around to stand behind the settee, his hand coming to rest over Callum’s shoulder, a knowing sparkle in his eye. “Just do not get started too soon. I am still getting used to the idea of having a son-in-law. The thought of grandchildren remains a little unnerving. You are both young yet. There will be plenty of time to worry about an heir later.”

“Good. You can explain that to Grandmother Vorsila. Otherwise she will drive poor Callum crazy with her incessant nagging for us to hurry. Maybe if you and Mother had another child she would be content for a while.”

“That would require me to convince your mother as well. Perhaps if I tell her it was your idea…” Thade’s laughter was soft. Almost forced. Aiva knew her father wanted to have more children. Although he spoke in jest, she could sense the hint of hopefulness hidden within his tone. “It is no matter,” he continued absently. “The Consul and I need to speak before we return to the road. Can I count on you and Callum to keep an eye on the baby while we step out? Maeri and Jaslyn will not be far if you need anything.”

Leaning in closer to Aiva, Callum held his index finger toward Soren, a tiny hand wrapping around it. He smiled down at the soft glow of the baby’s eyes, nodding to Thade in agreement. “If I am to have seven of these someday, it will do me some good to get a bit of practice.”

“That is the spirit,” Thade grinned, giving them each a final smile before moving to follow Feolan from the room. “In that case, I wish you both luck. When dinner is ready we will eat and get Aiva dressed appropriately for our homecoming. We’ll be back on the road by nightfall. I hope you are prepared. Once we are in Sivaeria, the people are going to be happy to have their Princess and her husband returned to them. You won’t have a moment of peace for quite some time.”

The thought of going home had always been in the back of Aiva’s mind. She could picture it, longing for it, though when faced with the reality of their return it was almost surreal. Tanispa had become a place of fiction in her head to give her hope when life looked bleak throughout their journey. A nagging part of her was convinced she would never see it again. Now surrounded by the lush trees of the Tanispan forests she felt about to burst from excitement. The familiar landscape brought back memories, fond images, of the times she’d spent there. They were only a short distance from the Sivaerian palace.

Her heart danced with nervous anticipation the closer they came to the gates. She wasn’t sure what to expect. No one knew when they would return. Their arrival would come as a surprise to everyone at court. A parade of soldiers headed the way through the street in a proud display, returning from their victorious mission. Shouts could be heard from the yards before they were even through the entrance to the palace grounds. The carriage came to a stop just inside, General Cadell’s face appearing in the open door, smiling while motioning them to exit. “Your Majesty, we have arrived.”

Aiva’s hand rested over her chest to calm her racing heart. Why did she feel almost afraid to step from the protective walls of the carriage? This was her home. Yet somehow she felt a moment of panic to face all the people she had left behind in Escovul. She’d created such a scene. What if they hated her? It was possible some may even blame her for the abduction of Shaelyn. If she hadn’t run out of the palace the way that she did…

“Aiva?” Callum’s voice cut through her thoughts, his hand lightly clasping hers. “My father is waiting for you.”

She blinked, surprised to discover that everyone was already out of the carriage aside from her and Callum. Over Cadell’s shoulder she could see Thade and Edric peering inside to find what was taking so long. Face flushed, she accepted Cadell’s outstretched hand, allowing him to assist her down the steps to the gravel pathway. The folds of her borrowed lavender dress swayed around her feet in elegant waves. It had been so long since she’d worn anything so fine. She wasn’t certain if she would be able to walk without stumbling over the excess fabric. Draping gracefully from her shoulders, the sleeves concealed most of the wounds on her arms. The marks left from the sting of the agarul were all which remained visible. Compared to the other injuries she suffered, they were the least ghastly. Easier for her to pretend she was in perfect health when her mother looked upon her for the first time.

Crutch in hand, Callum found his own way out of the carriage, refusing to accept the help of his father. He was a proud man. She couldn’t blame him for wanting to make a good impression on the courtiers already coming through the massive arched doors at the front of the palace to see who had arrived. Through the midst of the bodies Aiva’s heart swelled to recognize two little black-haired children rushing to the front of the crowd. Arms held wide in front of them they called out for their father, met halfway across the path by Thade who caught them up in a fierce embrace, swinging them around jubilantly. To see Sidonie and Ehren meant her mother wouldn’t be far behind.

Fidgeting, she stepped in closer to Callum’s side. Everything seemed a blur to her senses. Overwhelmed by the chaos of it all. When the Queen appeared in the doorway she looked torn. Her long ebon hair flowed gracefully around her shoulders, slightly disheveled, though doing nothing to take away from the beauty she possessed. Even in distress she carried an elegance unlike any other woman at court. Aiva watched as her father set the twins on their feet again, long strides carrying him the distance to the palace doors to sweep his wife into his arms, kissing her, the tenderness of the gesture evident to all who witnessed the scene. Tears of joy flooded from the Queen’s eyes. Aiva couldn’t help smiling to see her parents together. For years she’d found their happiness with one another almost irritating. Now, staring into the depths of Callum’s umber eyes, she knew what it was like to experience an emotion so strong. She could appreciate the care her parents took for one another.