The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Two: Beyond the Veil (105 page)

She felt oddly detached from the people around her. It was like a dream, the way the soldiers were greeted by their loved ones, cries of joy echoing through the air. Only vaguely was she aware of Callum hobbling away from her side toward the frail figure of Calie who had come to stand next to the Queen. Her eyes were red-rimmed and swollen from the tears she’d wept. Although she smiled to see her brother and father coming toward her, she couldn’t conceal the misery she suffered. Edric and Shaelyn were with their parents, embracing one another, their voices raised in joyful chatter of their adventure. Aiva knew she should join them. They would be waiting for her.

Not wanting to draw attention to the distance of her thoughts, she made her way through the crowd to where her parents stood, pulled into her mother’s arms instantly at her approach. “Aiva, I have been worried sick about you.”

“There was no need to worry about me,” Aiva replied, returning the pressure of her mother’s hug. It was easier to console her now, knowing that they had made it home safely. There was so much she wanted to tell her mother. To let her know that she was not the same foolish girl who had left Escovul so long ago.

A gentle pressure on her arm from her mother’s hand guided Aiva forward, away from the rest of the group. She moved toward the palace doors, courtiers bowing at her approach, greeting her with formal pleasantries. Aiva watched the way Leyna responded, head nodding in polite recognition of each one. Glancing over her shoulder Aiva searched the crowd for Callum, saddened to see him disappearing amongst the wave of bodies now swarming in to greet the returning soldiers. Taking note of Aiva’s reluctant steps, Leyna paused, gazing at her daughter in solemn silence. “Aiva, come,” she whispered. “I need to speak with you before my heart can be at peace.”

Curious by her mother’s words Aiva forced her gaze away from the crowd, allowing her mother to lead them deeper into the palace. They found their way to the serene gardens of the courtyard, the vibrant flowers a welcome sight to Aiva’s weary eyes. It seemed so long since she’d seen them last. They brought with them a wash of memories, guilt settling over her to think of the events which had come to pass. Shaking her head she tried to clear the images from her mind. Too many fond memories had been made there to focus on the bad. She couldn’t dwell on the negative. It was best to move on.

They came to pause at the center of the walkway where Aiva remembered watching her parents with General Cadell, discussing the arrangement of a marriage between her and Callum. To think on it now almost made her want to laugh. How foolish she had been! That night should have been a happy one. If she’d known then what she knew now… “What is wrong, Mother? I thought you would be relieved to have your family home again. Why do you look so troubled?”

“My conscience, dear,” Leyna shook her head sadly. “It was not until after you were discovered missing that I realized the number of things I should have said to you. I feared for your safety and worried that I may never have a chance. It warms my heart to have you returned to me, but in turn I cannot refrain from speaking with you on the matters which continue to weigh heavily on my heart.”

Aiva gazed at her mother, confused and concerned for the distress she could see in her eyes. She couldn’t blame her mother for any desire she felt in speaking her mind. It was one lesson Aiva had learned herself while away from home. The importance of saying the things you need to say to those you care about before it is too late. Wanting nothing more than to comfort her mother, Aiva brought her hand up to rest on Leyna’s arm with a warm smile. “I am listening, Mother. However, I am certain your worry is unnecessary.”

Leyna’s fingers brushed lightly over Aiva’s hair, staring proudly at her daughter. “You have become a beautiful woman, Aiva,” she said quietly, the expression on her face softened to see Aiva smile. “When I was your age, I always told myself that when I had a daughter, I would do anything to make her happy. Until recently, I believed I was doing so. It was not until the complications of your wedding that I began to feel as if I failed you somehow. I always swore that I would never force a union upon my children. To think of forcing you into such a bond against your will pains me. I hope you can forgive me for going against my beliefs and putting you in the position I did. You must know that it was done for your own good as well as the sake of our family.”

“Oh, Mother,” Aiva breathed, relieved to discover her mother’s discontent to be over something that felt so trivial now. A few months ago Aiva might have argued with her mother and added to the guilt she already felt. After everything that happened over the past several weeks, she was confident in her ability to ease her mother’s mind. Had it not been for her, Aiva was convinced that she and Callum might have missed any chance at happiness. “Do not worry yourself over the marriage. I know I put you in a difficult position in regards to our family. If anything, I should thank you for being my eyes when I was too blind to see the truth for myself.”

“I don’t understand, Aiva. I thought you were upset about the union.”

“I was,” she nodded. “That is no longer the case. I am convinced you knew what was best for me all along. I just couldn’t see it. My anger was misplaced and it is I who should apologize to you.”

The tension in Leyna’s face eased. Exhaling a sigh of relief she pulled Aiva to her in a warm embrace. “I was worried you would hate me for forcing Callum upon you. Through your claims of hatred toward him, there was something in your eyes which told me that you were merely confused. I could not understand why, but I knew you loved him. To this day, I still do not know your reasons for denying it.”

“That is because I had no reason. I assure you that I no longer have any desire to argue the truth. Callum is a fine young man. He always has been. You and Father were right in your decision to secure him as King. No other man would have been quite so deserving of the Levadis name.”

“So you have conquered whatever veiled your heart before the wedding? You admit that you love the man chosen for you as your husband?”

“More than you can possibly imagine.” Aiva lowered her eyes to the ground, suddenly embarrassed to admit her mistakes to her mother. It had been easy enough to scold herself for the foolishness of her actions. She hated to think of what her mother would say. Aiva’s behavior had been immature. Ungrateful. Her mother had every right to be angry with her. “My actions were wrong. It stemmed from a terrible misunderstanding that I wish could be taken back, but I know it cannot. I am more curious as to how everyone else knew I loved Callum when I was so blinded to the truth.”

“It was obvious, Aiva,” Leyna smiled. “I have known for years. The day he left for his training, you forget that I was witness to your face when you returned to this very garden to find him gone. Although you said nothing, I saw your heart break. At the time there was nothing I could do to ease your pain. Sixteen is a tender age for a young girl. If anything, I blamed myself for having allowed you to become so close to him, knowing it was wrong to have granted you his company. You were too young to understand, however. Much the same as I was when I was sixteen and met your father for the first time. I was oblivious to my feelings. When I came to inform you of our decision to join you and Callum, it wouldn’t have been impossible to talk me out of it. It was your own words which solidified the choice in my mind. I realized that, much like myself, you were confused by what you felt. It took me years to discover the truth of my love for your father and I suffered terribly due to my inability to admit the emotions. I could not bear the thought of you suffering the same when I had the ability to prevent it.”

“Then I’m forever in your debt. The only regret I have is that I didn’t see it sooner. I might have been able to spare you the pain of having to arrange the marriage yourself.”

“And the accusations you made against Callum… they have been cleared? Has he been found innocent?”

“All of my claims were based on statements which have since been proven to lack credibility. Father released Callum of all charges while in Luquarr.” Aiva stepped back to gaze happily at her mother. It felt good just to be with her again. To smell the soothing scent of her perfume. She was reminded of how much she’d missed her family while they were away. “My concern now is for Calie. Were you with her when Kaemin’s body was returned to Tanispa? Please tell me that she had someone to console her. Callum and I have been beside ourselves at our inability to be here for her.”

The smile on Leyna’s lips faltered at the mention of Calie. “She is exactly as can be expected of a young woman who has lost her betrothed. I insisted she remain at the palace with me and her mother until the rest of her family returned. Having her father and brother home again will no doubt help. I will speak with your father and request him to make sure their family remains with us for a while longer. She needs to have friends close.”

“Yes, I agree,” Aiva tried to maintain her composure. It was difficult to discuss Calie without rekindling the painful memory of Kaemin’s death. If she was going to be any help to her friend, she couldn’t allow her own emotions to get the better of her. She would have to be strong. “We should return to the others, then. I dislike being away from Callum for long and I’m sure you are anxious to have Father’s company again.”

“You know me well,” Leyna laughed quietly to herself. “Yes, let us return to the crowd. We can speak again later. Perhaps we can have the General and his family with us to a private dinner this evening. I want you and Edric to tell me all about your adventures.”

“Oh, we certainly have some grand stories to share,” Aiva nodded, linking her arm with her mother’s to begin a slow walk back toward the joyful celebration at the entrance of the palace. “There is an incredibly entertaining tale which you might enjoy,” she added with a devious grin. “It involves a tiger I saw while on an unexpected visit to Tunir…”