“Listen to our guides,” Callum commanded the others, his voice stern. “Keep vigilant. With any luck, our ship will be at the port when we arrive.”
The sound of water breaking against the shore came as a welcome relief to Aiva’s aching, exhausted body. The sun was beginning to set along the horizon, marking the end of the second day since leaving the Feh Noq city of Lemahic, having traveled without sleep. Joy was short-lived in the hearts of the unit. The Tanispan navy was nowhere to be found. Aiva feared the worst as to what might have kept Edric from arriving by now. If his journey had been as arduous as her own, the possibilities were endless.
No one spoke a word, too disheartened by the realization that they were stranded at the furthest reaches of Palinon. Lorand acted as a distraction to their weary minds, tending his wounds. Checking for signs of life. He was fading. Aiva couldn’t bring herself to hold onto false hope of his survival. They would lose another man. It was only a matter of time.
Though Lorand’s death would be a tragedy amongst the others, Aiva couldn’t help but feel somewhat grateful. The Syet had been aiming for Callum. Lorand was merely an obstacle in their way. It was frightening to think how close to disaster they had come. Without Callum, she would be lost. Even with the support of Kaemin and Gadiel, she doubted her ability to cope if anything happened to Callum. They were only just beginning to mend things between them. The gods couldn’t take him. Not yet. Not like this. There was still so much left unsaid.
“Are you alright, Aiva?”
Startled by Kaemin’s voice, she straightened her posture. There was no good way to answer his question. She wasn’t alright. It was difficult to know what that meant anymore. “I can’t say,” she frowned, letting her gaze drift out over the sea. It was a beautiful sight. Water as far as the eye could see. Several islands dotted the otherwise blue horizon, the burning orange hue of sunset making the clouds look as if they were aflame.
“You can’t say, or you don’t want to say?” he urged, coming to stand by her side. “Are you still having trouble with Callum? Gadiel mentioned things were going better.”
“I thought they were,” Aiva sighed, forlorn. “I don’t know what to think anymore. Sometimes we get along as if we are the best of friends – and other times I feel like he hates me more than anything. I dislike the resentment. This time, I’m not even sure what sparked it. While with Phaezut, we made so much progress. We talked and laughed… Can you believe that?”
Kaemin chuckled quietly to himself. “Yes, I can believe that. To this point I’ve yet to witness it, but I can see it. There’s a long history between you both. It’s only natural you should enjoy each other’s company. Was anything said which might have caused hard feelings?”
“No, that’s just it. Everything was fine. But then… when we were preparing to leave the city… Lorand asked to speak with Callum. I don’t know what was said between them. Callum has avoided me ever since. He seems so angry but for once, I haven’t done anything wrong. There is no good reason for him to be this way. None at all.”
“He does have a lot on his mind. If you think about it, he has lost half of the unit.” His confident expression faded, forcing a reassuring nod. “I know I shouldn’t count Lorand among the dead quite yet, but I think it’s safe to say that no one here is under any delusions he will survive his wounds. Even if we managed to cleanse the toxins, the arrow alone created enough damage to take his life. I’m sure Callum is just distracted. This isn’t exactly the best circumstance for the two of you to do any soul searching.”
“I didn’t tag along to soul search,” she frowned. It was comforting to consider Callum’s change of heart had nothing to do with her. That it might be spurred by the situation they found themselves in. But she wasn’t so sure. His words haunted her from the previous afternoon. Go see to the men. You’re good at that. What did he mean? When questioned, he made no attempt to give an answer. She could only speculate his thoughts. And anything that came to mind leant little solace. “So much has changed since we left Escovul,” she said, wistful at the memories. “When I first crawled into that supply wagon to stow away, I was convinced Callum was a traitor. My intent was to expose him. Instead I was forced to accept his company for Shaelyn’s sake and now… his company is all I can think of.”
A smile became visible on Kaemin’s lips, his hand reaching to clasp Aiva’s gently in his own. “You warm my heart to hear you say that. Are you no longer under the belief that he is against us? Do you still intend to pursue an annulment?”
“I’m still waiting for an opportunity to speak with him on the matter,” she nibbled her lip thoughtfully. It felt strange and yet somehow helpful to speak the words out loud. With Gadiel it had been humiliating. Standing there with Kaemin – it felt natural. He was engaged to Calie. In a sense, it was like having her friend there with her again. “He doesn’t know I’ve had a change of heart. Gadiel approached me about it before we left the Feh Noq city. I didn’t realize how obvious my feelings had become, but even he noticed it.”
“Gadiel approached you? I wasn’t aware the two of you were so close.”
“He is a good man,” Aiva nodded. “We had occasion to speak after my tumble into the ravine. He is the only other man here who is aware of the precarious state of my marriage. The only difference between his advice and yours is that he is more aggressive. Gadiel has this way of saying things that slap me in the face without raising a hand.”
“When did he approach you?” Kaemin looked thoughtful. Aiva could feel his eyes on her, watching her closely. “You said it was the day we left the city?”
“Yes. Gadiel knew of a very… awkward situation which occurred between Callum and I the night before. He counseled Callum against coming to escort me from my room the morning of our departure. Gadiel took that moment of privacy between us to inform me of his feelings on things. Regrettably, we were never able to finish our conversation. Lorand interrupted and there has been no time since.”
Something flashed in Kaemin’s eyes at the explanation. Tightening his hold on her hand, he led her closer to the water’s edge, scanning the beach to make sure no one was near enough to eavesdrop on their conversation. “Lorand came upon the two of you?” he asked sternly. “Where were you at the time he discovered you together?”
Aiva peered at him, unsure of what he was getting at. “We were coming out of my room. Why does it matter?”
“Do you know what that might have looked like to an unsuspecting soldier? To see the wife of his commanding officer exit a private bedchamber with another man?”
Her jaw dropped in disbelief. It couldn’t be. Lorand wouldn’t have dared assume something so improper of her and Gadiel. “I can’t believe it,” she shook her head, vehement in her disagreement. “Not only is it offensive that anyone might consider me so promiscuous, it is absolutely ridiculous that he would confront Callum with a mere suspicion. He had no proof. Nothing to base his assumptions – ”
“Other than witnessing the two of you walking out of your bedchambers? Was the door closed? Did you say anything to Gadiel once in view of the hall?”
“The door was closed but only for the sake of no one overhearing the directness of Gadiel’s tone when addressing me. I am his Princess. Not to mention it would have been inconvenient if the other men were to become aware of the intentions for an annulment. Gadiel said it himself that the men might take it upon themselves to seek my hand if the information became public knowledge.” Frantic in her hope that what Kaemin suggested was false, she strained her memory to think back on their conversation. What was said within Lorand’s possible sight? Gadiel was leaving. Angry with her stubbornness. She had grabbed him to prevent his departure without hearing her final pleas… “Oh gods…” she breathed. “Kaemin, what do I do? Callum cannot be allowed to think I would do such a thing! We have had our troubles, but he is my husband. Annulment or not, I would never do anything like that. The mere thought is adulterous.”
Glancing around the ar
ea Kaemin tried to calm her, hushing her desperate exclamations. They were beginning to draw attention. “Aiva, be quiet,” he warned. “If your intention is to keep the other men from discovering the troubles under the surface, then you have to maintain your composure. We’ll figure something out. We don’t even know if that was what Lorand spoke of with Callum. It would be foolish of us to presume.”
“But he won’t speak to me. How am I supposed to find out?” Details were beginning to fall into place that only added to the panic in Aiva’s heart. It made sense. Lorand had looked uncomfortable in the presence of Aiva and Gadiel before they proceeded to Phaezut’s throne room. And again in the desert – Kaemin had offered Aiva to take his place behind Gadiel on the aneakt. Callum’s response was quick to decline the offer. And with good reason. If he believed intimacy between the two of them, the last thing he would desire was to see them pressed together on the back of some animal.
He gazed at Aiva, sympathetic. Reaching out, he wrapped her in a gentle embrace, rubbing her back in attempts to soothe her. “Do not fret, Aiva,” he whispered. “I can attempt to speak with him. There is no guarantee he will open up to me, but as his future brother, perhaps I could get him to tell me something.”
Warmth flooded her eyes, grateful for Kaemin’s support, sinking against his chest. Everything was getting out of control. People were dying around them and still the familiar assuming rumors flew like wildfire, much like they did at court. Was there no escaping it? Would she ever be free of the watchful eyes that constantly awaited her to make a mistake only to poke at it until it became something swollen and out of control? “Thank you,” she said quietly, the words nothing more than a breath to Kaemin’s ear. “I don’t know what I would have done without you on this journey. I am forever in your debt.”
“I haven’t done anything,” he grinned, giving one last hard squeeze before pulling away, his hands remaining lightly against Aiva’s arms. “We are friends. Soon enough family. I’m convinced you would do the same for me. You owe me nothing but to smile. I don’t see you do that nearly enough these days.”
She couldn’t help laughing through the tears threatening to fall. It was funny to think of how far they had come in only a few short weeks since the night of her parents’ celebration. In that time they had somehow become adults. Not only in age, but in life. Everything was so trivial back then. To think what had been so crucial at the time was laughable now in the face of so much danger and hardship. It had brought them closer together. “I’m looking forward to the day I can call you brother, Kaemin,” she smiled, standing on her tiptoes to place a friendly kiss upon his cheek. “Calie is the luckiest woman in Tanispa.”
“Kaemin.” Callum’s voice rang loudly in Aiva’s ears, startling her and Kaemin with the closeness. He had approached silently, the sand having muffled the sound of his feet.
Turning to look at him, Kaemin let his hands fall away from Aiva’s arms, nodding to Callum sharply in acknowledgement of his presence. “Captain?”
Aiva gazed at Callum longingly. She wanted so badly to lead him away. To tell him everything she wanted to say. But something in his eyes told her now wasn’t the time. He looked tired. Drawn. A hint of sadness could still be seen in their dim umber glow, fighting to avoid Aiva’s curious stare. “Ashoec and Kehprit are going to scout ahead along the coast, in case Edric has brought the ship to port further east to avoid coming too close to Vaeduec territory,” he stated, quiet yet stern. “I recommend you both find a place to sleep for the night. If Edric is located, we will be on our way early.”
“Of course, Sir,” Kaemin gave a half-smile, looking to Aiva apologetically. “Rest well, Princess. It will do you some good.”
She tried to return his smile, the expression no longer feeling appropriate, uncomfortable for the muscles in her lips. Her legs moved her forward a step, halted by the sudden realization that Callum was still standing there, eyes locked on her, filled with anguish unlike anything she’d seen before. Her heart wrenched at the sight. Whatever was in his mind, he was miserable. Agonized. His mouth opened, lingering for a moment before he finally brought himself to turn away.
“Callum,” she called out, stepping toward him, unsure of what she would say if he gave her the chance. It came as no surprise that he chose not to pause, ignoring her, his pace quickened to find his way back among the men on the beach.
Head bowed, she felt the weight return, heavy upon her shoulders, bearing down on her. Unforgiving. No matter what she did, it was as if the entire world was against her. Every time things started to go her way, everything shifted drastically, leaving her cold and alone, her heart growing heavier. Tired. How did anyone cope with such a feeling? If love was supposed to be so wonderful, why did it do nothing but hurt? It was as if the Syet had fired an arrow directly into her heart, letting the toxic substance on the tip slowly eat away until eventually there would be nothing left.
You need to sleep. It sounded pleasant to consider. Rest. Yes. That was what she needed. If she just closed her eyes for a little while… shaking her head, she slowly made her way toward the others, dragging her feet through the sand with every step. Sleep would change nothing. Too many times she had comforted herself at the thought of waking to find everything perfect again, though she knew it was false hope. Her eyes would close and upon opening in the morning, everything would still be the same mess it was now. She could only hope that after a night of rest Callum might find himself more amenable to accepting her request for a much-needed conversation. Tomorrow she would tell him everything. Once her thoughts had been spoken, it would be in the hands of the gods to determine their fate.
Sleep evaded Aiva. Lying on her back she let her gaze settle on the stars, admiring their beauty in the open sky. Every wave that crashed upon the shore was a constant reminder of where they were… and where her brother was supposed to be. What was keeping him? The Mialan waterway was one of the safest passages south from Tanispa. Edric should have arrived long before them.
Her stomach churned at the horrible thoughts that floated through her head. Pirates. It was the only thing that made sense. If a rescue attempt was expected, they might have sent another ship along the coastlines to intercept. Edric was a skilled fighter, but he knew little of naval tactics. In the event of an attack, he would be at a disadvantage. Callum should have been on the ships. He and General Cadell were familiar with battling at sea. Edric would have been far more suited to traverse the desert.
But the desert was no less dangerous. Had he been there, it might have been Edric being fired upon by the Syet. It could have been him where Lorand lay spread across the sand, paralyzed from the poison that laced the arrow which penetrated his skin. And what of her father? He was to travel the Nahpoa Sea with General Cadell. Both were seasoned soldiers, familiar with the Namiren troops that might pose a threat on their way to Luquarr, but there was no way to guarantee safe passage south. Her entire family was in jeopardy. And she was trapped in the desert, unable to help them. Unaware of their fate. Watching the other men slowly die around her.
Everyone seemed to find sleep far more successfully than her. Covered in their blankets, Aiva could see them along the beach. There were so few left. They would be worthless in a fight against the pirates. Even when faced with Ireni at the ravine, there was doubt of their ability to fend off the enemy, and their numbers were greater then.
The pressure of the situation was becoming evident in Callum’s expression, though he hid it well from the others. She admired the strength he exhibited, his words positive to encourage the men that they would succeed and find their way to Luquarr, though she knew he had his own doubts. As their leader, he couldn’t let anyone know his true feelings. They relied on him for support. A rock to lean on. And he played the role well. She no longer questioned the reasons why Callum was granted the position of Captain. He deserved it more than anyone.
Closing her eyes she tried to will herself to sleep. Her body ached from the trip, exhausted from the str
ess and exertion of travel. She listened to the waves, their gentle crash against the shore failing to provide the peace Aiva desired to lull herself into unconsciousness.
An odd splash sounded in the distance. Aiva allowed her eyes to open, straining her ears to determine what caused the noise. A fish? It seemed too close to shore. Too large. Arms lowered to her sides, she flattened her palms against the sand, reaching with her internal energy in search of any sign of life beyond the sleeping men. Her efforts were hindered by the lack of anything from which to draw the information she desired. A flicker of something played at the edges of her senses. Something was there. She just couldn’t identify what. The sensation could have been created by anything within the sea.
Her heart pounded, crashing against the inside of her chest. Sitting up, she cried out instinctively at the sight of several shadowy figures surrounding her, their shape outlined by the light from the moon. They appeared human, their limbs not matching those of the Feh Noq or Syet. They closed on her quickly before she could get to her feet, locking her in their grasp. Two of the figures secured her arms behind her back, pinning her tightly between their bodies to prevent her from getting away. “Let me go!” she shouted, throwing her weight forward in attempts to break free. They held firm, tightening their grip, making it more difficult for her to gain the momentum required to continue her struggle.
“I don’t think so, Princess,” a female voice drawled from somewhere in the darkness. Soft. Velvety. Filled with pleasure at seeing Aiva restrained. “Hold her still,” the woman commanded. “I want to get a good look at this one.”
Through the shadows cast around the area in the moonlight, Aiva watched a tall, slender form take shape before her, a pair of dimly glowing brown eyes peering at her from the darkness. With every step, the features became more apparent, coming into focus. The woman’s hair hung low, blonde strands picked up by the sea breeze to flutter about her face. Her pants appeared cut of leather or some strange animal skin, clinging tightly to her long legs. She let her hand rest on the hilt of a sword hanging from the belt wrapped around her petite hips. The shirt she wore was thin. White. Covered in dirt; dampened from the spray of water.
The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Two: Beyond the Veil Page 38