Aiva stood up, brushing the dirt and wrinkles from her dress. Edric was right. He always knew what the proper course of action was. At times she wondered why her parents didn’t just defer the crown to him. He would be far more suited to it than her. He was older. A bit wiser. The sixteen years between them was obvious at times.
“You’re right,” she stated firmly, nodding her head for emphasis. “I will tell him. Tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow? Why not today? He will be here any time now.”
“And you will tell him I am sorry that I am unable to meet with him today. I suddenly feel rather ill. It would be best if I was left alone.” As she started to move toward the palace doors, she felt Edric’s hand grab onto her wrist. Irritated by the interruption she turned to face him, lips pursed. “I am going to my room, Edric. Tell him I will meet with him tomorrow.”
“Aiva, do not be unreasonable.”
“I am not being unreasonable,” she huffed. “I need some time to think about what I am going to say. If I try to confront him about everything so soon, it will turn into an argument the way it did last night and we will make no progress. Try to understand. You are my brother. I need you to be on my side in this. Everyone else is against me.”
He gazed sadly at her, his fingers slowly lifting from Aiva’s hand. “I suppose I can accept that,” he replied softly. “I will remain here and speak with him when he arrives. There are some matters which should be discussed between us anyway, in light of the situation.”
Anxious to get away from the courtyard before Callum arrived, she said nothing, giving only a slight nod of her head, hoping Edric would see her thanks in the depths of her eyes. It would be easier to speak with Callum in the morning anyway, once she’d had an opportunity to speak with her mother. It would allow her to meet with Callum on even ground. Both of them aware of the arrangement being forced upon them without having to hide from him that she knew. Maybe then they would come to an agreement. He was likely just as against the idea as she was. Between the two of them, it would be easier to find a way to get out of it.
Chapter Four
Aiva sat at her desk, staring down at the elaborate golden design of a jewelry box resting upon it. It had been a gift to commemorate her twenty-fifth birthday. Her entry into adulthood. Several pieces of exquisite jewelry were included, filled with sapphires and rubies, glittering diamonds – the finest adornments any woman could dream of having. Intended to be worn at the balls and other social gatherings to denote her status. At this point they all felt useless. Dread hung over her heart at the thought of telling her mother the truth about Dacian. It would crush her. To think that her daughter had behaved the way she did, and above all else, lied to her.
The soft sound of the door opening pulled Aiva from her thoughts. She turned in her chair, unsurprised to find the Queen standing there, her expression a mixture of joy and sadness at the news she brought. If her mother only knew that Aiva was already aware of her reason for coming, it would make the strain much less burdensome.
“Aiva,” Leyna said quietly, entering with her usual grace. “You and I need to talk.”
“Yes, we do,” Aiva agreed. Rising, she made her way to the sofa near the center of the room, motioning for her mother to sit with her. “You speak first, and then I have something which I have been meaning to tell you for a few days now.”
Slowly Leyna lowered herself onto the cushions beside her daughter. She glanced over to the door, nodding at the sight of Thade entering, quietly, his hands carefully securing the lock behind him. “Sorry I am late,” he stated, his eyes coming to rest on Aiva with a gentle smile.
Aiva stiffened to see her father there. Things couldn’t get any worse. Not only did she have to admit to her mother of her dishonesty, but her father would be present as well? She could stomp on both of their hearts at the same time.
“Your father and I have been involved in a very serious discussion with your grandmother for a while now. You know this,” Leyna started. Nervously she reached out for Aiva’s hand, clasping it lightly in hers. “We hoped it would not come to this. It hurts me deeply to have to come here under these conditions. There was little else we could do on the matter.”
Quietly Aiva sat beside her mother. Back straight. Eyes blank. She already knew what was coming. Why did her mother insist on dragging it out with regrets and apologies? Had it been her grandmother, the intentions would have already been stated and the conversation ended. “What is it, Mother?” she asked innocently, the distance in her voice revealing a mild lack of interest in the reply. How could she seem intrigued by a mystery that she already knew the answer to?
“No longer could we overlook our duty in securing the family line. We have been left with no choice but to arrange a marriage for you. You should know,” Leyna’s eyes brightened somewhat. She was so certain that Aiva would be pleased with the choice. Aiva wanted to laugh through her misery at the error her parents were making. “We did not want to choose just anyone for you. Many times in the past the eldest daughter of the royal family was promised, well before adulthood, to a man she barely knew, if she had met them at all. In all fairness to you, we settled for someone who has been close to you for many years. We hope this will ease the discomfort of the situation.”
“You have chosen Callum to be my groom.”
Leyna looked startled by the accuracy of her daughter’s assumption. “We have, yes,” she answered, her voice lacking its usual steadiness. “As you know, many of our soldiers are being sent to Siscal. One unit already departed this morning, and several more will be leaving over the next week. This left us little time for preparations. I know it is short notice, but the engagement ceremony has been set for tomorrow afternoon.”
“Tomorrow?” Aiva gasped. Her head reeled at the suddenness. Tomorrow was too soon. She thought there would be more time to change their minds. “I thought you intended mid-week. Why must it be so rushed?”
“We said nothing of mid-week,” Leyna glanced over to Thade, desperate for him to help in calming their daughter. “What made you think such a thing?”
“Because that was what you told Cadell when you arranged this all. I thought I had more time.” Aiva stood up from the sofa, exasperated. It made no difference anymore if her parents knew of her eavesdropping. It was wrong of her to do, but it was unfair of them to force this engagement without giving her a chance to argue it.
Thade stepped in closer to them, his expression stern. “Aiva, did you follow your mother and I? Were you listening to our conversation with the General?”
“Yes,” she said matter-of-factly. Edric had suggested honesty. If that was the best course of action, then she had no intention of holding back. “Calie and I saw you and her father leaving the ball. We snuck out into the courtyard behind you. I know it was wrong of us and I was going to let it go… I thought there would be more time to explain my side of things and tell you all the reasons why this match cannot be allowed. It is a terrible mistake.”
“Aiva, Callum is a good man – ”
“No, he isn’t!” Aiva exclaimed, cutting her mother off. She threw her hands in the air, frustrated to hear the words. Callum is a good man. That was what everyone said! “Everyone keeps telling me that. It is not true! He is a liar, Mother.”
Damn! Her mouth had run away with her again. Thade was at her side, his movements quick and deliberate. Faster than Aiva expected. The sound of his voice was harsh, staring down at her, the brightness of his glowing silver eyes intimidating her, making it impossible to look away. “What has Callum lied about, Aiva?”
“He – I… It is…” she stammered over the words. No amount of anger toward Callum could make her want to tell her parents the one detail she’d never planned to reveal during their meeting. Defeated, she sunk back down onto the sofa, burying her face in her hands. Her parents wouldn’t let it go. She had no choice. “About Dacian,” she sighed.
Fists clenched, Thade caught his wife’s gaze. Both of them displayed dif
ferent reactions. Her father was angry. Rightfully so. From her mother, Aiva felt more confusion. Betrayal. Her daughter had lied to her. If Callum had witnessed something in the gardens, then that also exposed Aiva’s secret. They were both guilty. Without a word Thade turned away, his footsteps echoing through the room as he made his way toward the door and through it, slamming it closed behind him. Aiva jumped at the sound, sobbing violently into her hands. She’d ruined everything. Edric would never speak to her again after this and her parents would never forgive her. And if Callum was sentenced to banishment – or worse – she would never forgive herself.
“So it is true about you and Lord Dacian?”
Aiva said nothing. Only nodding her head in shame.
“Have I not taught you better than that, Aiva?” her mother frowned. The pain was obvious in her voice. “And yet I knew it. I knew the moment we spoke with Callum that it was true. Something in his eyes told me. He looked sad. If anything, I felt sorry for him. To think my daughter would do such a thing. He has always cared a great deal for you.”
“Yes, let us all feel sorry for Callum. Poor him for going off to join the military and leaving me here, forgetting about me, and then coming back to think that I would just be waiting for him.”
“Do you imply your actions with Lord Dacian were out of vengeance? Is that the issue you and Callum have been in disagreement over since his return?”
Wiping her eyes, Aiva shrugged. She didn’t know what to say anymore. Everything had come out all wrong. This wasn’t the way she’d intended it. Her hope had been to break the news to her mother gently instead of shouting it out in the most insensitive way possible. “Yes. I was angry that he left. I was angry that Callum told me he was leaving, kissed me, and then walked away from me. I had no chance to speak with him. And all this time he has been gone I was plagued by his memory. When I saw him again I was furious. I am not going to deny that what I did was stupid. I was not thinking clearly. Nor have I been since that night. Everything has been an absolute mess. I never meant to hurt you or Father. It will never happen again, just please – do not make me marry him. I will find someone. I promise.”
Leyna’s face softened, her hand lightly coming to rest on Aiva’s. There was a slight smile on her lips, though how she could find any reason to look even remotely happy at a time like this was beyond Aiva’s understanding. “I have heard everything you said, Aiva. And while I wish I could do what you ask of me, I cannot help but think the marriage is the best choice for everyone at this point. The two of you will overcome your differences and disagreements. At this time, you have no choice but to do so.”
“Mother, you cannot do this to me!” Aiva pleaded. She hated being reduced to begging, but she was losing. She was willing to do anything to make her mother retract the decision.
“Sadly, Aiva – I can. As your mother, I know what is best for you, even if you do not know what is best for yourself. You are young still. When I was your age, I was confused by love as well. It is a complicated emotion and not something which should be taken lightly. I feel blessed to have the ability to make sure you do not make the same mistakes I did. It will feel like the end of the world at first, but it will get better. You will be happy. I am sure of it.”
“I could never be happy with him.” Aiva’s tears poured forth with greater ease. She no longer had need to hold them back. Her mother wasn’t listening. She rose from the sofa beside her daughter, gently patting Aiva’s shoulder.
“Take a few moments to gather your composure, dear. Callum is downstairs in the courtyard waiting for you. We will discuss your wardrobe for tomorrow after dinner.”
Hands pressed to her cheeks, Aiva paused outside the courtyard doors. She wasn’t ready to face Callum yet. Her eyes felt swollen. Red still from the tears she’d wept after her mother left her in the privacy of her room. Dressing up for the occasion felt unnecessary considering how awful she must look. She’d chosen a simple dress of viridian linen. No jewelry or make-up, hair left hanging in loose waves over her shoulders. Callum was going to be her husband. He would have to get used to seeing her less-than-perfect image. She couldn’t be silk and silver for him every waking moment of their lives together.
She drew a deep breath to prepare herself for what she might find through the door. In the back of her mind she wondered if Callum wouldn’t be there. Her father had looked so angry when he left the room. He would have confronted Callum. She was not in the clear yet from her quickly unraveling deception.
Stepping through the door into the brightly lit garden, she moved along the walkway, each step hesitant. Short. There was no sound other than the soft melody of the birds in the trees. No shouting. That was a good sign. Maybe her father had already left. He would know that she was due to come. Whatever he had to say to Callum couldn’t have taken very long. It was inevitable that the King would take the matter up with Cadell in more detail than with his son. Aiva hated to think on what the General’s reaction would be to the news.
Upon reaching the center of the courtyard, she could see a male figure seated on the bench there, hunched forward, head in his hands, oblivious to her approach. She recognized the rich brown hair to be Callum’s. He wore his usual military-issue doublet, black and gold, the velvet fabric shimmering softly in the light of the sun overhead. In that moment she felt sorry for him. He looked wretched. In her heart she knew it was because of her.
“I can come back if you prefer,” she stated calmly, cutting through the quiet. His head lifted, blinking in surprise to find Aiva standing in front of him.
“No, please. Sit. Or stand. Whichever you prefer.” He slid uncomfortably to the far end of the bench, leaving a large space for Aiva with ample distance between them.
“Decision making has not been a strong attribute of mine of late. That is likely why my freedom to make them has been revoked.” She exhaled, downtrodden. “What would you have me do?”
“You are the Princess. It is my duty to serve, not command. Do what pleases you. My only request is that you not raise your hand to me again. I am wounded enough as it is.”
Aiva flinched at the tone of his voice. She’d never heard anyone speak with the anguish in his words. She lowered herself onto the bench beside him, guilt-stricken, taking care not to settle too close. “I take it my father found you.”
“He did.” Callum stared blankly down at his feet. “I am not entirely sure what to think.”
“How severe is the punishment?”
“It has not been decided. When confronted again about what I witnessed between you and Dacian, I could tell he knew the truth already. There was no sense in lying. I explained myself as best I could. It is in his hands now.”
“He said nothing of what consequences you may face?”
“Nothing. However, even if the King is merciful, my father will not be.”
She looked away, no longer able to take the sight of him. “I could speak with him, if you like,” she said quietly. “Maybe I could tell him that I commanded your silence. If you were only following orders…”
Callum shook his head, stopping her before she could finish. “That is – sweet, but I knew what I was doing. The best thing for me at this point is to accept my punishment with honor.” Lifting his eyes from the ground, he genuinely looked upon Aiva for the first time since her arrival. He cringed, the consternation on his face deepening. “You have been crying again. What causes your sadness this time? I know now your tears the other night were at the thought of our engagement. I hate to think the idea remains so horrid in your mind that you continue to weep for it.”
“Does it not upset you? After the past week, can you honestly tell me that you are happy?”
“It matters little. The agreement is made.”
“But you could argue with your father that neither one of us is suited for the other,” Aiva couldn’t contain the hint of hopefulness in her tone. “If we both opposed, they would have no choice but to rescind it. Don’t you agree?”
&nb
sp; Callum laughed pathetically. “Aiva,” he started. “Think about what you are asking me to do. I just confessed to treason before my King. Do you really think I am in any position to make demands of him? My head remains attached to my shoulders – for now – and I am not about to come across as ungrateful for that.”
Hunched forward, Aiva clasped her hands in her lap, the toe of her slipper digging idly at the dirt between two cobblestones. Callum had a point. Neither of them would have any sway with their parents to argue the union. Unfortunate as it was. Their punishment in the end would be to submit to the request. To live in the torment of each other’s company for the rest of their lives. The more she thought about it, the more awful it became. There were so many reasons why it would never work. “This will destroy the monarchy,” she muttered, not aware that she’d spoken the words out loud until she noticed Callum staring at her in confusion.
“How so?”
“Think about it,” she sighed. “The reason for arranging the marriage of the eldest daughter is to secure an heir. I cannot offer that. I mean – ” Before Callum could turn his face away, Aiva caught sight of the crimson building in his cheeks. He was embarrassed. “Do you deny it? I will not be sharing a bed with you.”
“It is a bit premature to discuss whose bed anyone will be sharing.” Callum’s eyes drifted over to Aiva, catching her gaze briefly before looking away again.
Aiva watched him, mildly amused by the extent of his sudden bashfulness. He couldn’t even look her in the eye. Whatever was on his mind was certainly not befitting of a gentleman. “I would hate to think you are having improper thoughts about me at a time like this, Callum,” she scoffed. “That would be uncalled for.”
The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Two: Beyond the Veil Page 10
