“Let’s keep moving,” Callum called out, taking hold of the reins on the horse bearing Phelan’s corpse. “When nightfall comes, we should look for a place to set up a brief camp. Phelan will be tended to properly at that time. Until then, keep your eyes open. I don’t want to lose anyone else.” With a final glance at Aiva, Callum motioned calmly toward the wagon, an almost saddened glint in his umber eyes. “Will you humor me and stay out of view for at least the next few miles?”
She shifted uncomfortably, aware of the other soldiers watching them. Their change in attitude toward one another had everyone confused. A bit too curious. “I thought I was supposed to receive no special treatment?”
“I changed my mind, for the moment,” he stated. “Will you concede to my request? It would ease my conscience greatly if you complied.”
Nodding her head, Aiva climbed onto the wooden planks of the supply wagon, settling herself among the crates along the front. She disliked the idea of the other men thinking her weak for not continuing at their side, while at the same time the soreness in her muscles made it impossible for her to turn down a chance to get off her blistered feet. The oversized leather boots were not the most comfortable for the journey she’d undertaken in them. “Only for a few miles,” she replied, not wanting to let Callum know of her relief at his request. It was easier if she kept him on his toes. “I will let you know when I intend to join the men on the road again. So do not think I will let you keep me in here for the rest of the day.”
Callum patted one of the horses on the flank, shifting the wagon into motion. “I am well aware that no one can keep you anywhere for an extended period of time, Princess,” he said quietly, snapping his fingers to signal the others forward. “I am willing to accept whatever you will give me.”
The heat from the makeshift funeral pyre was a welcomed warmth next to the slight chill of the evening desert air. Flames lifted upward, dancing across Phelan’s remains, leaving everyone in dampened spirits. Quiet. No one knew what to say. Callum had given a brief eulogy, offering prayers to Sytlea, the Vor’shai goddess of the underworld, beseeching her to be merciful to Phelan’s soul in the afterlife.
Aiva had never considered herself a religious woman, but the soldiers revered their deities with a passion that surprised her. They prayed softly in the dimming light of the sun. Once it sank below the horizon, they would no longer have the protection of the sun goddess, Sarid. For as fearless as the soldiers were in the face of death, they were remarkably superstitious. Nighttime was considered more dangerous without Sarid shining down upon them. It was why the stars were there, the ancient heroes of their people. Past Kings and Queens; keeping watch over the Vor’shai during the night. And the moon, protector of the stars, the emissary Kalana, sent by Sarid, to create the light which kept the God of Dreams at bay. Diqun. The ruler of the night. Once a month, nearly every thirty-two days, Diqun was said to pull a veil over the moon’s eyes, vanquishing Kalana’s light, and allowing him to run amok. It was on that night, when the watchful eyes of the moon weren’t there to protect them, that the Vor’shai feared the shadows. Sytlea was known to claim more lives in those nights.
She’d never cared much for the stories as a child. They were unnerving. But the soldiers bustled about to make camp, setting up their tents, speaking in whispers to the sky overhead. Curious, Aiva turned her gaze upward, taking note of the darkness. Only a tiny sliver of the moon could be seen. They only had another night, two at most, before the oppressive darkness would be upon them. But they couldn’t stop. Shaelyn was close. Diqun could give them his worst; Aiva wasn’t afraid of him. Her sister was too important for some evil spirit of the night to keep her away.
Hugging her arms tight, Aiva took in the area around them. Gadiel continued to track their enemy, surprised to discover their path shifting southwest, taking them away from the Palinoen border.
They had set their camp near a small oasis not far from the road, providing a place for them to bathe and refresh themselves from the miserable heat of the journey. Right now the water was all Aiva could think about. Her body was gritty and sweat-covered. It would be better for her to find her way down to the pool before the men finished assembling their tents, in order to take advantage of what little privacy she could get.
Aiva gathered a clean pair of pants and a shirt from her bag inside the wagon. The men were distracted by their work, allowing her to slip away unnoticed, relieved by the thought of having some peace and quiet. Her head had been filled with confusion since Phelan’s death that afternoon. The reality Callum warned of was beginning to set in. She didn’t like it.
She tossed her clean clothes down on the sand next to a large rock which jutted out into the water, providing the perfect protection from the spying eyes of the men. Sliding her boots off her feet, she stared down at her toes, grimacing at the sight of dried blood and sand covering her skin. It felt good to let the air reach them. It would feel even better to let her feet soak in the warmth.
Hesitant, she undid the laces of her pants, keeping her shirt held tight against her until she had entered the water before tossing it back toward the shore. Kneeling, she submerged herself in the pond, leaning back to let the water rush over her head and face. It was heavenly. She hated the thought of returning to land. To do so would only bring more dirt. More grime. She longed to be back in the sensible climates of Tanispa. Once Shaelyn was safe, they would never set foot in Carpaen ever again. Why anyone would live there was beyond Aiva’s understanding. It was miserable. If the Underworld existed on Myatheira, she imagined it was Carpaen.
Floating around in the lake, she let time pass by. They intended to stay at camp for just a few hours. She had the luxury of sleeping in the supply wagon for a portion of the trip, making rest less important to her now than it was for the others. She felt more refreshed in that instant than she had since first stowing away with the troops. If only they had a nice warm meal to fill their stomachs, she might be perfectly content.
Just as she began to contemplate leaving the water, she suddenly felt as if there was someone else there. Close by. Sinking down, she wrapped her arms across her chest to conceal her body from view. Slowly she started to edge toward the rock. It would provide a shadow for her to hide in until whoever it was had gone away. She only hoped they hadn’t seen her before she became aware of them.
“Who is there?” Callum’s voice sounded sternly from the shore.
Aiva exhaled. Of all the men, he was the one she was least concerned about having found her. Enemy or not, he wouldn’t dare do anything foolish. The soldiers knew of their unstable relationship. It would make him the prime suspect if she came up mysteriously missing. Or dead. It was the one minor guarantee of her safety from whatever evil plans he might have. Her shoulders sank guiltily at the thought. So far she’d witnessed nothing which proved his dishonor. After the unfortunate incidents of the day, she felt he was deserving of a little kindness from her. It would, after all, help to gain his trust in hopes of hearing the truth of what happened in Siscal with Ireni.
“It is only me,” she called out, keeping her tone low to avoid drawing the attention of anyone at the camp.
“Ah, Aiva,” he sounded relieved. From her position near the rock, she could see the soft glow of Callum’s eyes turn in the direction of her voice, peering into the darkness where she crouched in the water. In his hands she could see the familiar shape of a lowering sword, Callum’s guard relaxing. “You should have mentioned to someone that you were coming out here. A less thoughtful soldier might have thought you an enemy.”
“Then I’m lucky it’s only you. However, I must ask that you turn around so I can retrieve my clothes.”
“That won’t be necessary. Here,” he bent forward to place something on the ground near the water, the light of his eyes disappearing as he turned away. He made no move to leave, only giving her enough space to return to shore.
She chided herself as she saw it. A towel. Of course. Why hadn’t she thoug
ht of that? Putting on fresh clothes while dripping wet would have been quite a chore. She waded to the edge, taking a hold of the towel. Wrapping it around her body, she felt a slight dampness to the fabric, casting a confused glance at Callum as she climbed out of the water. “It is wet.”
He laughed quietly to himself. “Well, yes,” he nodded, turning to face her, his eyes opening wide in surprise to find that she was not yet clothed. “You really should put something on.”
“I am covered. You do not appear to be entirely so.” Aiva looked Callum over in the darkness, noticing him dressed in a pair of black trousers which clung to his slender waist. His physique was impressive. Clothing did him little justice. Up close she could see the finely-toned muscles in his arms and chest, well-defined down his sides and mid-section. In his uniform he looked sturdy, but without it, he was a rock. Her hand reached out to touch his chest, as if not believing him to be real. “You look different than the last time I saw you without a shirt.”
“I was – only a child then,” he chuckled nervously, staring down at her hand, seemingly unsure of how to react. “Edric used to make me look frail in comparison. I told myself I would not let that be the case when I returned.”
“You certainly succeeded.”
“And you still are not dressed.” Awkwardly Callum stepped away, moving to the pile of clothes laid out beside the rock where Aiva had left them. He bent over to pick them up, offering them to her while still averting his eyes. “Is your brother aware that you have run off with his clothes?”
“By now? I suspect he has figured it out.” She accepted the garments, holding them absently in her hands. Callum was uneasy around her. She found it humorous. “Is it common for the Captain to wander around camp without a shirt on? If so, then I worry about my mother’s history…”
“I came to the lake for a wash myself. It didn’t take long for me to discover I wasn’t the only thing in the water. Now, if you will please cover yourself. I do not feel right standing here with you in such a state of undress.”
Shrugging her shoulders, Aiva pressed the towel to her chest with one arm, sliding her legs into the oversized pants. Casually, she brought the shirt over her head, draping the wet towel over Callum’s shoulder. He accepted it gratefully, relaxing somewhat to turn and face her as she fussed with the laces, finding them inadequate. “This pair seems bigger than the last,” she frowned.
“You have probably lost a bit of weight as well. Your body isn’t used to what you’ve put it through over the last week.” Callum brought his hands to his waist, unlatching his belt to offer it to her. “Try this,” he nodded. “It might help hold it a little more.”
“And what about you?” Aiva asked, reluctantly taking the belt from Callum’s hand.
Callum gave a half-smile. “I have another. This one will go to better use in your possession.”
Aiva threaded the heavy leather through the metal loop, fastening it in a sturdy knot at her waist. It proved effective enough that she was able to move about without fear of the pants dropping to her ankles.
They stood in awkward silence for a moment. She felt wicked for staring at Callum’s bare chest. Suddenly bashful, she tilted her head to one side, lightly brushing her fingers through her hair in attempts to distract herself from the sight of him. “So…” she trailed off, clearing her throat uncomfortably. “I noticed we are heading west. Do you think the pirates are headed for Vaeduec instead of Palinon?”
“That is… very observant of you,” Callum glanced at her. He sounded impressed. Mildly surprised. “Yes, the trail turned west, but I find it hard to believe they would enter Syet territory. My suspicion is that they want us to believe they are going there. Or, they might intend to shift course at the border and try to trick us into continuing without noticing their change. That would walk us right into Vaeduec and at the mercy of the Syet. Regardless of whether they pass that way, we will not be crossing the border. I have already lost one of my men. I am not about to foolishly lead the rest to their deaths.”
Inhaling deeply, Aiva lowered her gaze to the ground, thinking carefully about what Callum was saying. If Callum chose not to follow, that would leave Shaelyn in great peril. The Syet were rumored to be violent beasts. They killed without mercy. For anyone to cross into their land would be a fatal error. “I am worried about Shae,” she sighed. It felt only fair for her to expose her uncertainty to Callum. He had bestowed the same honor upon her that afternoon. “When we first left Tanispa I don’t think I really considered how dangerous this was. But people are dying. I don’t know what I would do if anything happened to my sister.”
“I am not going to let anything happen to your sister,” Callum stated matter-of -factly. “Even if you hate me, I still consider her to be a part of my own family.”
“I don’t hate you,” Aiva cut in, lifting her eyes to his. “I just don’t know what to think of you.”
He looked shocked by her response. Confused. Hesitant. “Are we not friends?”
“We were. Fifteen years ago.” Aiva’s shoulders slumped forward. “My mother and father thought they were doing me a favor by arranging my marriage to a friend, but they did not realize they were attaching me to a complete stranger. I don’t know you anymore, Callum. In truth, I am a little afraid of you. This marriage was not something I wanted. I hope you won’t think less of me for feeling that way, but you have to at least understand. How well do you really know me? Am I anything like you remember?”
Callum’s eyes lingered over Aiva, analyzing every detail of her face in the dim light from above. “You have a shell around you that wasn’t there before. A barrier which I cannot seem to break through.”
“I have to protect myself. If I am going to be Queen, I cannot be gullible. I cannot let others tell me what to do. How to think. What to feel. I need to make a decision and stand by it. Over the years, I have learned that if I want something done, it is best done by myself. I dislike the thought of having to count on anyone else. Especially not someone who so easily forgets me.”
“Aiva, I never forgot you,” Callum frowned. “It pains me to think that you feel I did. I wrote letter after letter in hopes that you would write back.”
“Had you sent those letters, I might have.”
“Sent them?” He stared at her, mouth agape. “You have made this accusation in the past as well but I assure you those letters were sent. Nearly every week. How is it that they never reached your hands? Where exactly did they go?”
Aiva’s shook her head in disbelief. It couldn’t be true. Callum knew where to address a letter to her. If they didn’t find their way to the palace, then it was because he’d intentionally directed them otherwise. Nothing else made sense. The courier would never dare keep letters from her. She was the Princess. “I want to believe that you sent the notes you claim to have written, but I cannot. Even if you could produce evidence that it was true, and these letters simply never reached me, it changes nothing. We are still strangers, bound to one another by an arrangement that neither of us wanted. Maybe, if things were different, we might have had a chance at being friends again. The circumstances simply make that impossible.”
Lowering his eyes, Callum stared at Aiva, a pained expression on his face. He looked torn. Miserable. As if someone had just kicked him in the stomach. “That is it?” he asked. “This marriage is what strains our friendship?”
“I suppose that is the root of it, yes,” she nodded.
“And if I could find a way to discharge us from it?”
She held his gaze steadily. A release from the vows? This was unexpected. When she’d first come to him with the request of dissuading their parents, he’d argued their inability to do so. “You have my attention, Callum.”
Callum appeared pensive. At his silence, Aiva took a step forward, anxious. He stared down at her, the pained look in his umber eyes flashing brighter before dimming once again. “If… When you and I rescue Shae, your parents will be overwhelmed with gratitude, far more
likely to hear reason.” Turning his gaze to the sky, Callum nodded in silent affirmation. “With what little of Karana’s eye watches us, let her be witness of my promise to you. I will see to an annulment of our marriage upon returning to Tanispa with your sister, by whatever means necessary.”
Aiva looked up at the crescent moon shining down from the darkened sky. Callum was offering her everything she wanted. Shaelyn’s safety – and her own freedom; if he could be trusted to keep his word. His proposal felt unbalanced in Aiva’s favor. She felt compelled to object solely on principle, but found her desire lacking. “What if our parents argue the annulment?”
“What can they argue?” he asked simply. “Our reception ended abruptly. The marriage was never consummated. If you wish, we can consider ourselves separated from this point on. No longer bound to one another. All I ask in exchange is for you to give me a chance to make up for the years we spent apart.”
“You would really do this for me?”
“I would do whatever you asked of me.”
“Then I accept,” Aiva nodded, reaching out to clasp Callum’s hand in hers, giving it a firm shake. He watched their joined hands, the crease on his forehead deepening. “I will hold you to it,” she continued. “If you seek the annulment immediately upon setting foot in Sivaeria, I will give you a chance to be my friend again.”
“You have my word, then.” He replied. His voice was softer. Quiet. Almost inaudible on the soft desert breeze. “However, if this is to be so, I should not be here alone with you. We cannot do anything which will make the others question the intimacy of our time in each other’s presence.”
“Agreed.” Aiva pulled her hand from Callum’s, stepping back to take in the sight of him there in the shadows. At that moment he looked wretched despite the smile on his lips. In the depths of his eyes there was a sadness beyond anything Aiva had seen within them before, wrenching at her heart to witness it now. But she couldn’t dwell on it. He was going to provide her with the annulment she desired. That was all she wanted to think about. A tiny sliver of hope amidst so many terrible things. “I will return to the camp, then,” she stated, sounding more uncertain than she’d intended. Gathering her discarded clothes from the shore, she gave one last look at Callum before turning away, no longer able to bear the desolate sight of his eyes.
The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Two: Beyond the Veil Page 20