The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Two: Beyond the Veil (47 page)

“His men claimed the method used to subdue her was the only way they could think of in fear of her overpowering them. Is this woman really that strong?”

“She is more skilled than even I expected,” Aiva frowned. Before then she’d taken little time to consider it, but she remembered with perfect clarity the details of the ambush on the beach. Ireni moved with practiced ease and impressive skill. Unlike her men, she had left no opening that could be taken advantage of, her technique impeccable. While she was a fool for letting her emotions dictate her actions, everything else made her a formidable opponent. Even Callum had been bested by her. He may have even been killed had Aiva not intervened. “I only saw her fight once, and that was during the most recent attack. In that time, she proved a more adept fighter than any of the men within our unit. Callum included. It was her hand which struck down Kaemin. And she is the one who currently possesses Shaelyn. I will have her head on a platter before we leave Luquarr.”

Reaching forward, Edric twisted a strand of Aiva’s shortened hair around his fingertips, deep in thought over what was being presented to him. “Is she the one who cut your hair?”

“Yes.”

“Why?” he asked, focusing his attention on her again. “What purpose did it serve?”

Aiva chuckled, the sound more pathetic than she intended. The truth was humorous, in a morbid way. “It seems she was under the impression that doing so would injure Callum in some way.”

“Why does that make you laugh?”

“Because I know Callum cannot stand the sight of me at present. He undoubtedly cares little about what happens to my hair.”

Patting her shoulder Edric nodded, releasing his hold on her hands. “Well, I will say that given the scandalous circumstances surrounding Callum’s past, I wouldn’t hold it against you if you still desire an annulment. If you swear to his loyalty, then I will continue to consider him a friend, but I cannot blame you for wanting to separate from this all. When we see Father in Luquarr, I can explain the situation and if he deems it acceptable, he could see the marriage severed immediately. I doubt he will argue. The wedding was unconsummated and both of you seem inclined to be parted.”

Desperately Aiva grabbed for Edric’s hand, staring down in surprise at her fingers wrapped around his wrist, unaware that she had moved until he was already in her grasp. Forlorn, she stared up at him as he started to rise, the misery in her eyes causing him to pause, settling himself on the chair once again. The thought of her father exonerating them from the union so easily caused her stomach to ache. “You can mention to Father the possibility, but please do not let him rule on the annulment without first speaking with both Callum and me first. Do you promise?”

“Aiva, what is it? Do you not desire the annulment?”

“I don’t know,” she exhaled in frustration. She did know. Why was it still so hard for her to admit it? “All I know is that I don’t want to be too rash. Callum and I should meet with Father and discuss it. To go over all the reasons thoroughly before making a decision.”

“I’m not used to you being so reasonable,” Edric smiled, squeezing her hand gently. “If you want it placed on trial, so to say, then I can inform Father of your request. He will explore any option to spare the marriage. With the kidnapping of Shaelyn, an annulment of the current heir would only create more turmoil amongst our people. For you and Callum to work through things would help keep the kingdom at ease. And you know Grandmother would be livid to hear anything about a separation.”

Retracting her hand, Aiva scooted forward on the bed, unfolding her legs to place her feet flat on the floor. There were so many things she wanted to say. Questions she wanted to ask. Inside she harbored a terrible guilt over everything. That this was all somehow her fault. “I cannot help but think if I had sent even a single letter to Callum during his time away that this could have been avoided,” she stated quietly, letting the words fall from her lips that had been tormenting her mind. Inquisitively, she peered at Edric through her long lashes, unsure if she should ask the question lingering on her tongue, unable to stop it from tumbling forth. To find some confirmation of her suspicions. “Do you think Lady Faustine would have kept his letters from me?”

Edric looked astonished by the question. Confused. “Aiva, you know she did,” he said softly. “Mother gave them to you.”

Bewildered, Aiva stared at him. Aghast at what he was suggesting. “You must be mistaken…”

“I saw them with my own eyes. They were in the jewelry box Mother gave you for your twenty-fifth birthday. Mother was furious when she discovered what Faustine had done and wasted no time arranging them to be in your possession.”

“There was nothing in the jewelry box other than… jewelry,” Aiva gasped, shaking her head in disbelief. He had seen the letters? Why had they not come to her? Even so late, she could have still sent him word had she known he was waiting for her. Had she known he was on that damnable ship in the Nahpoa Sea… “Why did I not receive them?”

Lips pursed Edric stared at Aiva, rubbing his temples in contemplation. “I don’t know. I always assumed you had them.” All at once his features softened, realization dawning on him. “Unless – ”

“Unless what? Edric, where did they go?”

“When we have Shae back in our possession, you may want to ask her,” he frowned. “We were both there when Faustine delivered the letters to Mother. She was rather excited at the thought of reading what she considered to be ‘long lost love letters.’ You know how she is.” A quiet chuckle escaped him. “It’s possible she took them from inside the jewelry box before it reached your hands. In which case, she probably has every line of them memorized by now.”

“If that is the case I will tear every strand of hair from her head when I see her,” Aiva scoffed angrily, rising to her feet. Why would Shaelyn do something like that? She should have known immediately upon opening the parchment that those letters were intended for only Aiva’s eyes to see. “Oh, Edric, I could kill her if that is so.”

“Then we will make sure you’re not with the rescue party that goes in after her,” Edric chortled, coming to stand at Aiva’s side, his arms wrapped around her in a tight embrace. “Everything will work itself out. There is no reason to kill anyone. At least none of our friends and family. Run-through as many of the pirates as you wish, but try to spare our sister. She was young. If she took the letters, I’m sure after the novelty wore off, she most likely forgot about them, locked away in some chest in her room. Whatever her reasons for taking them in the first place, they were far from malicious. She adored Callum. We both hoped to see the two of you married someday. It is why she took such an interest in what he had written you.”

“But in her taking them away from me, she ruined everything!” Aiva struggled to fight back the tears stinging her eyes. “If I had known he hadn’t forgotten about me, I would have remained in contact with him and Callum would have had no reason to involve himself with Ireni. None of this would have happened. Kaemin would still be alive and I would be happily married. Instead he thought I wished nothing to do with him and it was his pining over my abandonment which caused him to fall prey to that wench. When she discovered his heart was still attached to me, she vowed revenge and targeted our family because of it. Shaelyn was never the one they intended to take that night. It was me they wanted. Whoever Ireni works for only desires a ransom. Ireni seeks retribution for some ridiculous obsession she maintains for Callum.”

Giving a firm hug Edric leaned back to look Aiva over sadly. “You’re a mess, Aiva,” he said with a somber smile. “But I think I’m finally beginning to understand. This misunderstanding has been in the making for years, right under my nose, and while I had the knowledge to stop it, I had no idea it was necessary. I’m sorry this was not caught sooner but we cannot dwell on the past. All we can do is look to the future and find ways to make up for whatever mistakes have already come and gone. Kaemin’s death is no one’s fault other than the person who held the blade that took his life. Don’t hold yourself accountable for it. He wouldn’t want you to. He would want you to work through these issues with Callum, find Shaelyn, and return quickly to Tanispa so you can be there for Calie.”

Commotion on the deck overhead signaled the preparation for departure, footsteps pounding along the wood, echoing through the tiny room. Edric and Aiva turned their eyes to the ceiling before settling on each other one last time, understanding passing between them. “You’re right,” Aiva nodded, lowering herself back down on the bed, the exhaustion of the past few days suddenly coming over her more noticeably than before. She felt drained. All she wanted to do was curl into a ball and go to sleep. “I have been absolutely lost without you, Edric. The journey already feels more tolerable with you here.”

Edric’s smile brightened, the gentleness of his features returning as he gazed down at his sister. “Having you back is a significant weight off my shoulders. Get some sleep. As soon as you awaken, we’ll get you cleaned and tended. No arguments.” He waggled his finger at her with false authority. She couldn’t help but smile at him.

“Fine,” she grinned, lying down on the bed, bringing her knees into her chest. It felt good to just lie there. Relaxing into the comfort the mattress brought. Despite its firmness, she preferred anything to the harsh ground that had been her bed for weeks. “Go play with the boys. I will join you again when I wake.”

Making his way to the door Edric unlatched the lock, pausing to turn and give her one last smile. “Sweet dreams, Aiva,” he said quietly. With that he slipped through the door, leaving her there alone in the confines of the room, already quickly drifting away to the welcome release of sleep.

When Aiva’s eyes opened she was aware of the sun shining through two small round windows lining the outer wall. Had she slept through the entire night? Her head felt heavy. Groggy from slumber. Holding her hand to her forehead she sat up, taking in the room around her. A cloth had been placed next to a large bucket of water on the floor. She laughed miserably at the sight of it. It would at least allow her to clean off the remnants of the desert sand. Over the chair that Edric had pulled from the wall she found a thin linen dress, the soft green color a painful reminder of Kaemin, resembling the warmth of his eyes. Since his death she feared everything would bear a constant reminder of that terrible memory. Striking her when she least expected it and throwing her back into her grief.

Tearing her gaze away she tried not to think about it. To focus on other things. Like the constant rocking of the ship causing her stomach to tumble about uncomfortably. Placing her hand over her abdomen she found her way to the bucket. She felt foolish cleaning herself in that fashion though she knew there was no other option. Undoing the belt at her waist she began to remove her soiled clothes, watchful of the door in fear of anyone approaching. She was the only woman on a ship full of men. The last thing she wanted was to have them barging in on her while in such a state of undress. At the same time, she hated the thought of turning the latch in case something were to happen. To cut herself off from the crew seemed foolish. She didn’t know what she feared might come to pass while in the safety of her room, but she took comfort in simply knowing that if she called, her friends would be able to get to her.

Once she felt sufficiently cleaned, Aiva slid the dress over her head, situating it on her body. After so many days of wandering in pants, it felt odd to feel the delicate way the fabric laid over her skin, the skirt brushing her bare feet on the floor. The garment was old. One she hadn’t pulled from her closet in years. She was surprised it still fit, though the weight she’d lost over the journey had likely helped. Not wanting to wander about the ship without shoes, she shook the last remnants of sand out of her boots, slipping them over her feet. They weren’t the most fashionable, but from under the material of her skirt, no one would be able to see them.

Slowly she made her way from the room, stepping lightly into the hall, curious of where the others could be. It seemed safe to assume that Callum was on deck, no doubt directing whoever steered the vessel. Edric would have positioned himself at Callum’s side the way he always had since they were kids. Despite her curiosity and desire to find Gadiel to tell him of her fears, she didn’t dare seek him out alone. Her only choice was to either ingratiate herself with the other soldiers, or force herself to endure Callum’s cold company.

Letting her hand drag along the walls, she idly counted the doors on either side of the corridor. They were small. Similar to that which enclosed her room. She had never been on a war ship before. In the stories she’d heard, there was always talk of the Captain’s quarters. She found herself curious if there was any truth to it. If Callum was granted more lavish comforts while aboard the vessel.

Her legs felt heavy as she made her way up the stairs onto the main deck, the bright light of the sun stinging her eyes, forcing her to shield them with her hand. Uniformed men were scattered about. Casual. Oblivious to her arrival. They were lost in general conversation, laughing at jokes unheard by Aiva’s ears, relaxed as they floated along on the water. Although she was uncertain about placing herself anywhere near Callum, she found her feet carrying her along the deck, giving no pause on her way to the helm where she could see Edric and Callum standing, Gadiel’s hand lightly resting on the wheel. Varik was perched along the side with a spyglass, looking out over the islands to the east. The direction didn’t seem right to Aiva. Any land she recalled having seen from the shores of Palinon would have been to their west along the path to Luquarr.