The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Two: Beyond the Veil (13 page)

Callum cursed under his breath, quickly rising to his feet. In a clatter, he tossed the wooden sword down to the ground next to Aiva’s discarded weapon, meticulously arranging his doublet, wrinkle free, clear of dirt and grass. With a pained backward glance to where Aiva remained, he sprinted away, calling out to Cadell in return. “I am coming, Father!”

She listened to his footsteps along the cobblestone, disappearing into the distance toward the palace doors. She couldn’t make out the words being spoken by Cadell, his voice hushed. There was no doubt that he came with word of his decision regarding Callum’s fate. Judging by the anger in his tone, she imagined he and the King would not be lenient.

Staring at the sky, Aiva exhaled, wishing the pounding of her heart would slow. The match had ended too quickly. Thinking over the defeat in her mind, she tried to figure out exactly where she lost control of the situation. Despite her best efforts, all she could recall was the image of Callum’s starry-eyed gaze. She felt bewitched by him. If they’d been allowed to remain there, he would have kissed her. And she would have let him. A second time. What was wrong with her? Why did he have this power to hypnotize, leaving her helpless when he came near?

Well, it wouldn’t happen again. She would make sure of that. Climbing to her feet Aiva picked up the swords, moving determinedly toward the shed to put them away. That would be the last time she and Callum had use for them. Come the next day they would know their fate. The outcome of their games. And she suspected there would be no escaping the engagement. All she had to hope for now was that her exposing of Callum wouldn’t create any further complications.

Aiva sat on the bench in the courtyard, gazing down at the tiny band of gold which encircled her finger. The deed was done. She and Callum were engaged. A bond that none but the holy priests could sever. All around her, guests milled about the gardens. It was a casual celebration. No grand ball or big dinner. They would save the largest celebration for the day of the wedding. Her mother was already making arrangements for their travel to the palace in Escovul, a few hours from Sivaeria. The ceremony would take place in the grand hall the following week and everyone would be in attendance for the reception. Aiva wished she could be more enthusiastic about the details, but to contemplate them only added to her ever-growing depression.

She and Callum had exchanged few words since meeting that morning. Their greeting had been brief. A formal kiss on the cheek and a forced smile for the sake of their parents. The tension between Callum and his father had been noticeable upon their arrival, but as he and Aiva slipped the rings onto each other’s fingers during the engagement proceedings, it was too much for Cadell, the stony expression fading away to one of utter pride. It seemed everyone was ecstatic about the arrangement except the bride and groom-to-be.

“Aiva,” Calie exclaimed excitedly, coming to sit on the bench beside her friend. “I have great news!”

Distracted, Aiva lifted her eyes to Calie’s, a distant smile on her lips. “I could use some good news right now. Please tell me it has something to do with Lord Kaemin’s transfer. I have yet to hear of it.”

“It has been granted,” Calie nodded. Filled with joy, she took Aiva’s hands in hers, clasping them tightly. “And we have you to thank for it. Aiva, you would never guess, but he has asked me to marry him. It seems the celebration of your engagement was too much for him. He asked me on our way out of the chapel. I could not think to say anything other than yes.”

“I am so happy to hear that,” Aiva leaned in to wrap her arms around Calie in a warm embrace. It was a good sign. Callum’s transfer order for Kaemin was accepted. There had been no discussion of Callum being returned to any lower rank. She could only assume that whatever punishment had been agreed upon, it was going to be dealt with privately, keeping the scandal under wraps. It worked to the mutual benefit of all parties. The military would have its Captain to lead against the pirates and Aiva would have her decorated husband. Her future King. She could only hope that Shaelyn would marry Herryk soon enough and provide their parents with a dozen children who would take over the throne once it was discovered that Aiva and Callum would not be providing an heir.

Pulling away, Calie stared into Aiva’s eyes. Her smile was fading. Replaced by a look of concern. “Have you warmed to the idea of your marriage since we spoke on it last? I dislike the idea of you being unhappy. Especially with my brother. Everyone wants so much for you both to be happy.”

Aiva averted her gaze, unsure of what to say. After their discussion in the courtyard, she’d thought her decision was made. They had agreed to tolerate the marriage and keep their distance from one another. But then everything turned upside down on them when lost in the rush of their playful duel. When Callum was close to her, she’d felt something. She wasn’t sure what, but it didn’t feel awful. She almost liked it. The thought was disturbing. She didn’t want to be happy with Callum. Maintaining their anger with one another was paramount to making their parents see how much they resented the arrangement.

Biting her lower lip, Aiva shrugged, not wanting to let Calie see the change in her demeanor. “We are at least tolerating one another,” she replied quietly. “Maybe by the time he returns from Siscal next, we will have built up to having a full conversation without an argument.”

“I cannot ask for much more than that, I suppose,” Calie nodded, her smile returning.

Before Aiva could respond, she heard the rustle of fabric, uncomfortably aware of a familiar figure moving from behind the bench to stand before the girls, his hand extended to Aiva in greeting. Out of proper etiquette, she offered her hand in return, allowing him to kiss the back of it. “Your Highness,” Dacian smiled, a devious twinkle in his eyes as he stared at her. Something about his expression made her uncomfortable. As if he was picturing her in ways which were improper. “I was hoping I might be granted a moment to steal you away. We have not had a chance to speak since the festivities last week.”

“You know it would be inappropriate for me to wander off alone with another man now that I am betrothed. Can you not speak in Lady Zerne’s company?”

“The information I bring would be best heard only by your ears, Milady,” he nodded apologetically to Calie. “It will not take long. We do not need to go far. A short stroll through the gardens?” Leaning forward he placed his lips beside Aiva’s ear, whispering softly to avoid being overheard by anyone around. “It is in regards to the man you intend to marry. I feel you should know the truth. This union cannot be.”

Instantly she was on her feet. She didn’t know why it struck her the way it did to hear Dacian’s insistence. The fear of Callum having a dark secret hidden in his past was unnerving. But why Dacian? Why did he have to be the one to present the information? She had no desire to be anywhere near him – and he was the last person anyone should see in her company. It was too soon. The wounds caused by their last meeting remained open and festering. Still, she wanted to hear what he had to say. Curiosity was getting the better of her. “I suppose I could spare a moment, though only a brief one. All things considered, you and I should not be seen together.”

“Aiva.” Calie looked up at her disapprovingly from the bench. “My brother would not be pleased if he knew – ”

“Your brother is never pleased. Do not worry yourself, Calie. I am doing nothing wrong.” She tried to force a smile through her own discomfort. It was difficult to reassure Calie that everything would be alright when she couldn’t believe it herself. Depending on what information Dacian had, it could change everything. Or it would only serve to deepen her current depression over the terrible mistake her parents forced on her. “Lord Dacian…” she hesitated. She couldn’t really be thinking of doing this. It was absolutely absurd. But she had to. She wanted to know the reason he had for protesting the wedding. It was too late to spare her the betrothal but it wasn’t too late to stop the nuptials if he could provide solid evidence to advocate a separation. “There is a line of trees near the lilies at the back of the western garden. Meet me there in five minutes. It should offer enough privacy in which to discuss the matter.”

With a flourish Dacian bowed to her and Calie in turn, casting a wink over his shoulder as he walked away to leave them staring after him. In the light of the day, Aiva couldn’t argue the difference in his mannerisms. He was polite at first glance, yet there was a hint of greed in his maroon eyes. Something no one else could see unless they were standing at the receiving end of his gaze.

“You cannot go with him,” Calie argued, rising to her feet in a rush. “I know it isn’t my place to tell you what you can and can’t do, but there has been enough trouble between our families because of that man. As your future sister, I must beg of you to change your mind and stay here where no one can accuse you of impropriety.”

“No one is going to accuse me of impropriety because no one is going to know I am gone. If Callum comes in search of me, will you promise to distract him until I return?”

“How can you ask me to cover for you while you disappear with the same man you were discovered with before? I can’t do that to my brother.”

“Then I will have to return quickly so it is not left in your hands,” Aiva sighed, brushing past Calie toward the back of the courtyard. Through the soft din of conversation she could hear the pathetic protests of her friend, quiet, afraid to speak too loudly in fear of drawing attention to them. Aiva knew Calie had nothing to be worried about. Although she and Dacian experienced a single moment of passion in the past, there was no chance of it happening again. Regardless of her disdain for the arrangement, Aiva was engaged. She wasn’t the kind of girl to throw herself into the arms of another man and risk the charge of infidelity. There would be no recovering from an accusation of that sort.

Curiosity was a dangerous thing. She could think of nothing but the secrets Dacian might be able to provide her with, tempting her even more with the prospect of what she would learn. Horrible images passed through her mind, racing with the possibilities. Had he done something wrong? Blackmailed his men into secrecy which required Dacian to approach her in the manner he did?

In the cover of the trees she stood, breathing in the gentle scent of flowers throughout the garden, thicker in the dense foliage of the deeper paths. Rarely did anyone find need to go into the darker sections of the courtyard other than the gardener. It was more for appearances than anything else. During the warmer months the insects were far too bothersome in the shade to make the path worth traveling for leisure.

Dacian was there. She could see him clearly in the dim light filtering through the tops of the trees, leaned against a thick trunk. Casual. Comfortable. He didn’t seem at all distressed by the possibility of being discovered there with her. “You came. I wasn’t sure if you would.”

“You made the offer difficult to pass up,” she mused, eyeing the area suspiciously. She had no basis for distrusting Dacian other than the things told to her by Edric, though she knew her brother wouldn’t make accusations without proof. If Dacian was at all like he was said to be, she would need to be careful. Keep her distance. “What is this information you have about my husband-to-be?”

“If I tell you, I must request you not let it be known where you heard of it. Our commander – Captain – made it very clear that he did not wish the malefaction to be passed along to anyone here in Tanispa. It would blemish his reputation. Your parents never would have allowed this engagement to take place.”

“Then you are a day late,” Aiva stared at him, pausing a few feet away. “You have my attention. Speak quickly, however. We have little time.”

Dacian smirked. Letting his eyes scan the area, pausing for effect, he brought his gaze back to settle on Aiva. His smile widened. “You’ve likely heard of the misfortune which befalls the military in Siscal,” he stated calmly. “One of the enemy ships was taken down, but not before a Luquarrian spy managed to infiltrate the troops on one of our vessels, collecting personal information on the men in the unit.”

“I heard something about this, yes.”

“Well, there is more to the story.” Dacian chuckled, shaking his head. “Maybe I should not be telling you this.”

“No, you should,” Aiva took a step forward. She was afraid he would back out. Lose his nerve. “In fact, as of this moment, I am commanding you to tell me everything you know. That is a direct order from your Princess.”

Pushing himself away from the tree, Dacian came to stand directly in front of Aiva, searching her eyes. “When you put it that way, how could I deny you the information?” he grinned. “I will tell it to you bluntly. The spy was an Esai. A half-breed Vor’shai working in conjunction with the pirates of Luquarr. Turns out, she is one of their most dangerous leaders. A woman by the name of Ireni Moura. She might have been discovered soon enough to avoid any danger, but our beloved commander fell under her spell. Nothing of any mystical means. Just her body. She was an attractive woman, I won’t argue that. Not as lovely as you, however.” Dacian leaned forward, breathing in the scent of Aiva’s skin. Shivering, she stepped away, staring at him in disbelief.