Through the maze of flowers and vines, she ducked around one of the trellises, pressing her back against it, afraid to move in fear of making any noise which would give away her location. She was concealed on all sides by the dense green foliage. It was the perfect place to hide. Callum was sure to pass her by and then she could find an escape into the palace and to the room before he could catch her.
Listening intently, she could hear the sound of footsteps slowly moving along the path. It was all she could do to keep from bursting into a fit of giggles. If her mother could see her now! She would be so displeased. Her parents had likely never completed a business meeting and then run amok through the gardens of their ally. But no one had to know. A single game wouldn’t hurt anyone. As the footsteps came closer, she found herself holding her breath. Stiffened against the surface of the trellis, careful not to damage the flowers clinging to it.
In a rustle of leaves Callum appeared at Aiva’s side, covering her mouth as she jumped in surprise, her shocked scream muffled under his palm. He had gotten better at searching for her. Either that or the wine was making her less skilled at stealth. Both options were perfectly plausible. Holding her in his arms, they both started to laugh quietly at their own foolishness, heads leaned in as if sharing some inside joke that no one else could possibly understand. Something about being so close to him was making her feel giddy. No doubt heightened by the effects of the wine. A sensation almost tangible, like electricity pulsing between them, only added to the trembling she felt beginning in her knees, her heart fluttering. She wondered if he felt it as well, though if he did, he showed no sign of it.
“We shouldn’t linger here. Someone might find us and think we have lost our minds,” he grinned, taking Aiva’s hand to guide her out from behind the trellis. Removed from the seclusion of their hiding place, she felt the unnatural thud of her heart start to slow, easing back into a normal rhythm.
She gave no hesitation as Callum led her through the winding pathways toward the palace where they had met with Phaezut only a short while ago. It felt hours since he left them, the empty glasses from their wine still littering the table near the game board. Lost in their nervous, playful laughter, they made their way along the corridors, searching for the hall where Aiva’s room was located. When it came into view, she couldn’t deny the sadness that filled her heart at the thought of parting ways with Callum. She wasn’t ready for the night to end. If he would just stay with her a little longer.
“This is where I must leave you,” he announced, motioning toward the door with a smile. “I have to say, the evening was far more enjoyable than I anticipated. You were stunning. That old wizard had no chance at escaping your charms.”
“Oh, I thought we were done for when we first arrived to dinner. Nothing I did could get the image out of my head of Edric sitting there in some ridiculous mask.”
“Me too!” Callum exclaimed, their laughter ringing through the empty hall, both of them desperately trying to hush the other, only making everything feel that much funnier, though Aiva wasn’t entirely sure why. They were being absurd, but she didn’t mind. There was a comfort in having her Callum back. The way he’d been as a boy, unrestrained by the stern behavior instilled upon him through military training. In that instant there were no hard feelings between them. No lingering doubts the way there had been throughout their journey. She didn’t want the night to end. Not yet.
Without turning away from Callum, Aiva fumbled with her hand behind her back, turning the knob on the door. “You can come in for a while, if you like,” she smiled, tugging his hand gently as she started to back into the room. He hesitated, moving forward a step before pausing, glancing up and down the hall, suddenly nervous.
“I… probably should not. Gadiel and Kaemin will be waiting for me. They likely were expecting me to seek them hours ago.”
At Callum’s resistance, Aiva ceased her entrance into the room, stepping forward to cover the gap between them, stumbling over her feet, nearly falling against his chest. He caught her in his arms, holding her in place until she was able to regain her balance. “There would be nothing wrong with you staying. We should begin our plans for what to do once we reach the coast.”
“Neither of us are in any condition to plan tactics against the pirates,” he chortled, clearing his throat as he released his hold on Aiva. “We can work on our strategy once the wine has worn off.”
“But Callum – ” bashfully she averted her eyes. He was putting up more of fight than she thought he would. The wine was interfering with her own ability to see all the reasons why it was best for them to say their farewells. Her head was filled with too many memories from the past. Too many feelings that had been dormant inside her heart for so long. She knew the risks of inviting him to stay. And she couldn’t bring herself to care. They wouldn’t let anything happen. It was perfectly innocent. “I’m not ready to be alone. Could you keep me company for just a little while longer?”
With renewed purpose, she stared into his eyes, pleading with him, knowing it was working. Gradually the determination in his gaze started to fade, the tension in his stance easing, allowing her to pull him forward another step. “I… suppose. A few minutes couldn’t hurt…”
“Ah, Captain! There you are,” Gadiel’s voice sounded suddenly from the end of the hall, immediately drawing Aiva’s attention from Callum, embarrassed by the interruption. No longer certain of what she had been doing, she released her hold on Callum’s hands, straightening her back proudly. Blinking his eyes in realization of who spoke, Callum turned to face Gadiel, nodding to him in acknowledgement.
“You were looking for me?”
“Kaemin and I have been watching for your return. We know so little of the Feh Noq, we had no way of knowing if they would poison your food and drag you away somewhere,” Gadiel chuckled to himself. There was a strange glint in his green eyes as he turned to Aiva, placing himself almost protectively between Callum and her. “If Your Highness wouldn’t mind, I need to steal the Captain away. You will want to sleep soon anyway, I’m sure. It has been a stressful couple of days for you, no doubt.”
At a loss for words, Aiva struggled to think of something to say. It was as if he knew. As if Gadiel had been watching them, aware of the electric feeling that she had felt drawing her to Callum. Her cheeks flushed with warmth at the thought. The wine was getting to her. What had she been thinking? To invite Callum into the privacy of her bedchamber could have been disastrous. And Gadiel was well aware of the circumstances which made it dangerous for them both to take such a risk. “Of course. I have had his company for the last few days. The other men will want to hear some encouragement from their Captain. I will… sleep. Callum, you and I can discuss further plans tomorrow, if you like.”
A similar discomfort to Aiva’s was visible in Callum’s eyes, his movements suddenly quick and deliberate, making it a point to put more distance between them. “Yes. I would… like that. Very much. Tomorrow then, Your Highness – Aiva. Rest well.”
Aiva and Callum stared at one another, their gaze lingering even as Gadiel placed his hand on Callum’s back to guide him further down the hall. In a timid gesture, she raised her hand to wave at Callum, her heart aching to see him walk away. She needed to lie down. The wine was disrupting her rational thoughts. Anxious to remove herself from Callum’s sight, she stepped into the room, closing the door behind her to secure the lock in place. Sleep. Everything would make more sense in the morning once the effects of the wine had worn off and she was thinking clearly again.
Chapter Thirteen
It was late into the afternoon by the time Aiva managed to pull herself out of bed, dreading where the day would take her. By nightfall she imagined being out in the treacherous sands of the desert. Back to the torture of dehydration and sleep deprivation. And to make matters worse, her head was pounding, similar to the way she’d felt when waking in the Feh Noq prison. Only this time it wasn’t a blow to the head which caused her discomfort. It w
as the aftermath of her carelessness with the wine. Unlike northern drinks, there was no water diluting the effects of the wine in Palinon. It was strong. Incredibly potent. Her head swam with vague images of what transpired in the early morning hours, conjuring only faint memories of Gadiel showing up at her door to take Callum away.
She took advantage of the bath, knowing it would be the last time one would be accessible for a while. The packs they had been carrying at the time of the Feh Noq ambush had been returned to them, the clothing inside cleaned and ready for wear. Trading in the dress provided by the maids, Aiva slipped on a pair of Edric’s old pants, fastening them at her waist with the belt Callum loaned her at the start of their journey. Securing the buttons on a loose white shirt, she chose to leave her hair long, hanging over her shoulders. There was no need to tie it back. Between here and the coast, there was no reason to masquerade as a man the way she had on the road through Carpaen.
Outside the open window the sun could still be seen, though low in the sky, heralding the coming evening. Gathering the last of her belongings into a bag, she found her boots, begrudgingly slipping them over her feet and lacing them up to the knee. With a final glance she surveyed the room to make sure nothing was left behind. They needed to be ready when Phaezut gave the order to leave. There was no time left to waste. Even with a guide, the desert remained a dangerous terrain.
Setting her bag on the bed, Aiva found her way to the door. Even without word from Phaezut about their departure, she found no harm in making her way to the lower levels in search of him. He had given his permission for them to roam freely throughout the palace. There was no reason to linger in an empty room.
Upon opening the door she gave a soft cry of surprise to find Gadiel standing there, hand raised, mid-knock. Retracting his arm, he gave a deep bow before her. A formal gesture she hadn’t seen from any of the men since being discovered in the supply wagon in Kaipoi. “Your Highness,” he greeted, rising back up to look her over with concern. “Pardon my intrusion. The Captain requested I accompany you to the throne room.”
“Consider yourself pardoned,” she exhaled, placing her hand on her chest to calm the rapid beat of her heart. “You nearly scared me to death. Why did the Captain not come for me personally?”
“I hope you’re not disappointed, but he heeded my counsel to avoid your personal chambers without supervision.”
Aiva raised her brow quizzically. “You advised him against coming to me? I don’t understand. He and I have business to finish with the Feh Noq. We don’t have time for games.”
“Princess…” Gadiel glanced up and down the hall, stepping forward into the room without hesitation and closing the door behind him. Aiva was startled by the brazenness of the action, stumbling back, unsure of what to do. If it was inappropriate for Callum to be in her private chambers, it was even less so for Gadiel to be there. She was a married woman. “Do you still intend to seek an annulment of your marriage upon returning to Tanispa?”
“I’m not sure this is a topic which concerns you – ”
“I ask as a friend, Aiva. It is not my intention to be out of line.”
Nervously, she glanced over Gadiel’s shoulder at the closed door, inhaling sharply. There was no malice in his eyes. Whatever his reason for shutting her in with him alone, she doubted it to be ill-mannered. Since the start of their journey, she had come to trust him. And he had given his word that he would never take liberties with her. “For now, that remains to be so. But there is no harm in Callum and I being in one another’s company. We are friends, regardless of our marital status. You should know this by now.”
“What I witnessed from the shadows this morning was more than simple friendship,” he shook his head. “Had I not chosen to intercede, I fear what might have transpired. You are – a very beautiful woman, Aiva. And both of you were very much intoxicated. I don’t think you realize the power of seduction you wield. Especially with the Captain. One wrong move on your part, even unwitting, and you will find yourself in a more complicated situation than you are faced with now. He won’t do anything to harm you, but if you want this annulment, you need to maintain a bit more propriety when in his company.”
Bewildered by what Gadiel was saying, Aiva stammered over her words, unsure of how to respond. She didn’t fully understand what he implied. “I don’t know what you think you witnessed this morning, but I assure you there was nothing improper between Callum and myself. We had some wine, I admit, though upon returning to my room, we intended nothing more than to discuss a stratagem for taking down our enemy.”
Gadiel chuckled quietly to himself, clearly amused by something. “You are somewhat naïve, Your Highness. Do you honestly believe, in your inebriated state, that any rational conversation would have been possible while locked away with him, alone, in this room, with that bed right there?” he gestured sternly to emphasize his point. “I could tell by your behavior that allowing him to succumb to your invitation would have proven disastrous for you both. That is why I recommended he not venture back to you quite so soon.”
Blood rushed to Aiva’s cheeks to think what Gadiel meant. He was right; though she hated to admit it. Even through her wine-clouded thoughts that morning, she had known. While her intentions were pure, there was no denying the tingling sensation that had coursed over her skin at being so close to Callum. The way her heart leapt in her chest to feel his arms around her while hidden away in the courtyard. Her body had proven untrustworthy in the past when alone with Callum. “I am not naïve,” she whispered. Defeated, her shoulders slouched forward, breath escaping her in a long, drawn out sigh. “There is a difference between naivety and confusion. But you are right. Until I regain my senses, he and I should not be alone together. I suppose I owe you my gratitude for saving us from ourselves.”
“You owe me nothing. I only wanted to make sure you were aware of the fine line you walk.” Gently he reached out to rest his hand under Aiva’s chin, lifting her face to stare into her eyes. She hated the way the unshed tears stung at her lashes. He wasn’t supposed to see them. He wasn’t supposed to know the pain she felt inside. If anyone found out the truth – if they discovered that she was falling for Callum – it would find its way back to him. “Why do you cry, Your Highness?”
“It is nothing,” she lied, trying to blink the tears away. Gadiel was one of Callum’s closest friends. He could never be allowed to know. Not until she had a chance to discuss things with Callum. “We shouldn’t keep the others waiting.”
Gadiel held firm, preventing her from looking away, an expression of understanding slowly softening his hardened features. “You don’t want the annulment, do you?”
“Gadiel, please. I don’t want to talk about it.”
“If you don’t desire it, why do you not tell him? It would ease the man’s heart more than you know – ”
“I cannot tell him!” she exclaimed, tearing her chin from his grasp. Drawing in several deep breaths she struggled to regain her composure, wiping the tears from her cheeks. “This is my mess. It is my responsibility to find a way out of the hole I have dug myself into. Not yours.”
Sympathetic, Gadiel rested his hand on Aiva’s shoulder. He looked uncertain, as if he wanted to hug her but was afraid of overstepping his bounds. “I wish I knew what to tell you. But women – I will never understand. Your minds are a constant mystery. If you love him, why can’t you just tell him?”
“I never said I love him,” she argued, a new wave of warmth flushing her cheeks. “The only thing I admitted was confusion. That is not love.”
“You all but confessed to not wanting the annulment…”
“I said nothing of the sort. Don’t put words in my mouth, Gadiel.” Flustered, she turned away, not wanting to look at him any longer. If she allowed him to see her face, she feared he might read the truth in her eyes. Denial was easier when not speaking to a man of Gadiel’s intelligence. He was reading her like a book, and she hated him for it. “I think it best you leav
e now. I will find my way downstairs on my own.”
Gadiel was quiet. From where she stood with her back to him, Aiva could hear his steady intake of air, slow, precise. His hand was on her shoulder again, turning her around, gently yet firmly, forcing her to look him in the eye. “Don’t be a fool, Aiva. If you let your pride stand between the two of you, it will only serve to break your heart as well as his.”
“This is neither the time nor the place for you to lecture me, Gadiel.”
“You need someone to lecture you. I cannot stand by and watch you make this mistake.”
“Have you been speaking with Kaemin? You’re beginning to sound just like him.”
“Kaemin feels the same, it’s true, but I’m telling you this from my heart. As your friend and Callum’s.” Gadiel sighed, shaking his head in frustration. “When I saw the two of you this morning, there was a happiness in the Captain’s eyes that I have never seen before in all the years I have known him. And it was in yours as well. I won’t hold you here any longer, but at least consider it. Spare yourself this unnecessary drama and accept the gift the gods have presented. Your parents could have chosen someone far less deserving. If you continue down this road, then it is Callum who was wronged in the union. Not you.”
Aiva stiffened at his words. They struck her heart like a dagger being driven through her chest, ripping it to shreds. He gave her no chance to argue, turning on his heel to open the door. Desperate for him to hear her defense, she followed him into the hall, her hand clutching at the back of his doublet to pull him back to her, spinning him around. “He cannot know. Not yet,” she pleaded quietly, gazing into Gadiel’s eyes, forlorn. “He deserves to hear it from me. I owe him that much.”
The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Two: Beyond the Veil Page 35