Moving out from behind the wheel Varik bowed low to Aiva, smiling at her, seemingly relieved to see her there. His long black hair was tied back behind his shoulders, the yellow flecks within the deep green glow of his eyes a welcome sight. While Aiva trusted Callum and Gadiel to be skilled soldiers, she’d had her doubts about the others. It was reassuring to know that some of the army’s more seasoned fighters were now at their aid. “My Princess,” Varik chuckled in greeting. “While I prefer horses and solid ground, I was trained in nautical tactics for years before my promotion to commander. I am honored to have been chosen to assist Prince Edric in seeing the troops safely to Luquarr.”
“That is a polite way of saying our father knew I have no knowledge of how the ship works and sent Commander Varik to watch over me,” Edric grinned, taking his place at Aiva’s side once again. “Varik gives the orders. I simply call them out to make myself sound useful.”
Aiva chortled at the thought, leaning her head lightly against Edric’s shoulder. “Regardless of who is giving the orders, you both have no idea how happy I am to see you. For a good while on our journey, I was certain we would never see each other again.” She smiled to feel Edric’s hand upon her back, rubbing it gently in consolation. “But here we are. What is left of us.”
“Well, as far as orders are concerned, I believe we are relinquishing command to Captain Levadis,” Varik nodded. “He has more years of experience, and far more recent than my own when it comes to the waters. To be honest, I am anxious to see him in action. This will be my first time serving under the new Captain.”
Aiva felt an uncomfortable sting to hear Varik say the name which had caused Callum to falter upon Edric’s arrival. Captain Levadis. Callum had denied the name. Without hesitation. For him to have so willingly mentioned the request for an annulment in Edric’s company – and to ask for his assistance in obtaining it – the pain in her heart intensified. He no longer seemed tentative toward the idea. It was as if he now supported the separation wholeheartedly. The tables had turned horribly against her. When the agreement was first made, it was she who desired it. Now that the intention had become known to others, setting the possibility into motion, she realized in dismay that it was the last thing she wanted. She wanted Callum to proudly answer to the name Levadis. If she could only find a chance to speak with him…
It took Aiva several moments to become aware that Edric and Varik were still talking, discussing their trip excitedly, although it sounded far less eventful than her own. She tried to clear her thoughts, smiling absently at Varik while listening to him tell a story of a storm they came across while rounding the borders of Vaeduec. It explained the extent of their delay beyond the few days lost in Tanispa over her disappearance. All that mattered was that they made it. She no longer cared about the wait.
“My my, Princess. You appear distracted.”
Lifting her head from Edric’s shoulder she stared at Varik, caught off guard by the sudden break in his story, eyes settled on her, curious. She laughed nervously, shaking her head to dismiss the observation. “I have a great deal on my mind as of late. The fact that I have not slept in several days has much to do with it.”
Edric gawked. “Why have you not slept? I thought you said you’ve been at the shore for some time.”
“We gave no pause in the last few days of travel and upon reaching the coast, I couldn’t manage to close my eyes,” Aiva frowned, heaving a dejected sigh. “Not more than a day after leaving the Feh Noq city, we were attacked by a small band of Syet off the western coast near the Ryseu River. It seemed unwise to risk stopping while so close to their territory; and with the pirates ambushing us upon our arrival…”
Varik shifted uncomfortably. “Syet?” he inquired curiously. “I was not aware they ventured out of Vaeduec.”
“To the north, I don’t believe they do. However, from what Phaezut said, they have been creating some problems in the desert along the river. He advised to keep as far from the western border as possible, but somehow we still crossed paths with them.” Aiva nibbled her lip thoughtfully.
At her side Edric chuckled, lowering his head to gaze down at her. He looked proud. Pleased with something she’d said. “You sound like a regular diplomat. As if you were familiar with the people in this area. Who is Phaezut? Is this the leader Callum says you struck an alliance with?”
She felt somewhat offended to hear him laugh at her success. Why was it so hard for him to believe that she could successfully negotiate an agreement with the Feh Noq? Did he think so poorly of her abilities to conduct business? Opening her mouth she thought to scold him for the insult, quickly thinking better of it. Deep down she knew the truth. The people were concerned about her reign as Queen. Her behavior over the years left everyone uneasy. Afraid she wouldn’t be able to handle the responsibilities. It was her own fault. She only hoped in time she could prove to them that she was changing. “Phaezut is the Feh Noq leader, yes,” she nodded, her voice quiet. Still lost in thought. “I learned a great deal while in his company. Without his assistance, the final days of travel to the shore would have been far more arduous. I cannot even say with any certainty that we would have made it at all.”
“I owe this Phaezut a debt of gratitude then,” Edric smiled, running his hand through Aiva’s tangled hair. As if only just taking notice of the shortened length he stepped back, gazing at her in surprise. “Your hair…”
Hesitantly Aiva laughed, glancing uncomfortably around the ship in hopes of finding a way to avoid further discussion. She didn’t want to talk about the pirates. Especially not Ireni. She would deal with that woman soon enough… “Did you not notice it immediately upon seeing me?” she asked, straightening her shoulders. “It’s not hard to miss.”
“I guess I wasn’t looking closely enough. I assumed it was merely pulled back to keep it out of your face due to the heat,” Edric frowned. “Now that I look at you, I am seeing more and more that you’re not yourself at all. You appear sick. Your lack of sleep is evident and you are nothing but skin and bones.” A half-smile crossed his lips, pressing his index finger against the fabric of Aiva’s shirt. “You have soaked my shirt with blood, it seems. I’m not happy with this, Aiva.”
“About your shirt?”
“No,” Edric couldn’t help but smile, shaking his head to force the expression from his face. “About your condition. Callum should have kept a closer watch on you.”
“Goodness no, Edric,” Aiva gasped, appalled at the thought of Callum being blamed for her misfortunes. Callum had done everything he could to protect her. Had it not been for him, she wouldn’t be standing there now. “He nearly died saving my life before we even passed into Palinon. I am here because of Callum. There is no way I could ever repay him for everything he has done for me throughout our journey. Please, place no blame on him for the way I look now.”
Lightly Edric placed his thumb over Aiva’s right eye, a twinge of pain at his touch causing Aiva to flinch reflexively. “This wound looks fresh, Aiva,” he said calmly. “Can you tell me what inflicted it upon you which the others were unable to prevent?”
A casual chuckle came from somewhere behind them, footsteps announcing the arrival of Gadiel and Callum at the helm. “There’s a somewhat humorous story behind that, Your Highness,” Gadiel grinned.
“How is an injury to my sister considered humorous?”
“Well, you didn’t see how she attained it.” Gadiel elbowed Callum gently in the ribs. “I think even the Captain can agree it gave us all quite a shock. The pirates thought they had her secured. I’m not sure what that wench said to her, but the next thing I saw was Aiva’s head striking Ireni’s and it was all I could do to keep from cheering. I meant to commend the Princess, honestly.”
Edric gave a puzzled look, glancing at Callum as if for confirmation. “She used her head to strike one of the pirates?”
A hint of a smile passed Callum’s lips, his umber eyes sparkling somewhat at the memory. “Yes, I must say I was i
mpressed by that as well. It certainly was unexpected, but quite pleasurable to watch. It seems she hasn’t lost that feistiness I remember her possessing as a child… Though yes, I’m curious what was said to spark such a reaction.” Callum’s eyes rested on Aiva, peering into hers as if in hopes of drawing the answer from them. Bashfully, Aiva averted her gaze, embarrassed at the thought of him discovering the truth.
This was not the company to be discussing the private turmoil she suffered. They would laugh at her if she told them her reasons for striking Ireni. The reaction of a jealous woman. She couldn’t possibly admit that her anger came from the thought of Ireni in Callum’s bed. With a grimace she turned her face further to avoid the men seeing the torment in her eyes. Her head was filled with the image of Ireni’s lips pressed against his. Unable to contain her rising anger she tore away from Edric’s arm to storm off deeper into the ship. She didn’t want to talk about it. And in her current frame of mind, she no longer had any desire to face their questioning stares.
At her swift shift in demeanor, the laughter of the men ceased, replaced by a quiet murmur of discussion, inaudible to Aiva’s ears as she moved away. They were no doubt confused by her strange reaction to the memory of that night, but she didn’t care. Too many painful images were conjured in her mind when she thought of Ireni. The look on Kaemin’s face when the dagger tore through his abdomen…
Burying her face in her hands she made her way down the steps below deck. She was aware of footsteps following her. She couldn’t be sure who they belonged to and she didn’t care to look. She just wanted out of the watchful eyes of everyone on the ship in case she completely lost control of her emotions. The men couldn’t be allowed to see her lose composure. She was trying to provide a better image of herself. Breaking down into tears would only show weakness, and that was the exact opposite of what she wanted them to think of her.
“Aiva, wait.” It was Edric. She was relieved that Gadiel and Callum chose to stay behind. While Edric would be difficult to speak with after all her foolish claims and accusations toward Callum in Tanispa, he was the only one she was willing to accept the company of. He was the most comforting face she had seen in weeks.
She came to a halt, wiping a stray tear from her cheek. It wouldn’t do any good if he saw her crying. If he was going to ask questions, she wanted to respond with as much grace as possible. To show him that she had matured. That she was capable of handling herself. “If you want to speak with me, I must request we find somewhere to go that is out of the way. Privacy is what I desire at the moment.”
He gave a nod of understanding as he came to her side, motioning her toward a door at the end of the hall. Aiva followed him, grateful to see him lead them into the room, devoid of any other watchful eyes. It was a small cabin. Nothing more than a single bed, more like a cot than anything else, situated at the far left corner of the wall. Edric closed the door behind them, securing the latch as he gestured toward the bed. “You can lie down if you like.”
Hanging her head Aiva made her way to the bed, settling herself on it slowly. She didn’t know what to say. He deserved an apology, at the very least. Something to show her regret for the way she acted the night Shaelyn was taken. She’d been an absolute imbecile. To Edric as well as her father. Convinced that Callum was the ultimate enemy. “Edric, I must beg your forgiveness.”
Edric’s brow rose, peering at her quizzically. “Forgiveness? Have you done something wrong?”
“Only everything,” she sighed, shoulders slumping forward in defeat as she curled her legs under her on the thin mattress. “Can you forgive me for the ridiculous way I behaved the night of the wedding? You and Father had so many pressing matters on your minds with Shaelyn’s abduction and for some reason I thought it was of great importance that I continue my foolish accusations against Callum’s loyalty. I did not conduct myself in the most appropriate manner, and I have regretted it for some time now.”
He made an attempt to smile. The gracefulness of his movements was a comforting sight. After so long of being convinced Edric was dead, just seeing him there, the familiar way he moved, the soothing sound of his voice, it all made everything feel more bearable. Pulling a small wooden stool out from against the wall, he moved it in front of Aiva, positioning himself on it to face her directly. “I don’t question the concerns you spoke of. Not long after you turned up missing, some distressing issues were brought to light, similar to those which you expressed. Lord Feolan approached the General about a possible link between Callum and the pirate Ireni. It seems he took your wild claims more seriously than I did, and it brought quite a bit to our attention which we might have otherwise never known.”
“Feolan spoke of it to the General?” Aiva was surprised by the news. Mortified to think that Callum’s father had somehow become aware of the situation. Had they heard the story in its entirety? What if they knew only the fabricated version told to her by Dacian? “That is terrible, Edric. I was such an absolute fool! If they are angry with him, I can explain the truth the moment we meet them on Luquarr.”
Edric chuckled softly, shaking his head to calm her apparent fear. “I don’t know if Callum ever intended his father to find out, but the truth is known. When it came out, we all understood your strange behavior, though we immediately recognized the flaw in whatever version of the story you were told by Dacian.”
“General Cadell is not angry?”
“Oh, he is not pleased. But Callum does things differently than his father. While Cadell would never have stooped to the tactics utilized by Callum’s men to bring the spies in, he cannot deny the fact that it worked. My only question is why.”
Clasping her hands in her lap Aiva lowered her eyes, thinking carefully over what she should say. Edric knew some, but not all. There would still be much explaining to do in order for him to understand the entirety of her predicament. And Callum’s. The personal vendetta Ireni held for them both. “Tell me what General Cadell discovered, and I will fill in the gaps as best I can.”
“Well,” Edric pondered. “When Feolan approached Cadell, I don’t think either of them expected to uncover anything on the matter. They both found it a rather odd accusation. As the charge had been laid by a member of the royal family, Cadell immediately chose to investigate, as is his duty, regardless of the fact that the suspect in question was his son. In truth, that is a large part of why we were so late to depart. Cadell sought the men still in Sivaeria who served in Callum’s unit in Siscal. Many knew nothing, but there were a few who were privy to the happenings the night Ireni was apprehended, and under the order of the General, they were left with no choice but to relay the events in their entirety.”
“He did not question Dacian, I hope.”
“No. When I discovered the investigation was taking place, I shared with them the information you claimed to have been given by Lord Dacian. While it coincided to an extent with the stories of the other men, it was warped. Cadell discarded it, considering the past issues between the two of you. I needed only tell Father and Cadell of Dacian’s reputation and it became obvious immediately that his intentions in telling you any of it were to come between you and Callum. I just never believed any of it could be true. When you told me of it, I brushed it off as nonsense.”
She let her thumbs twirl around each other, staring at them as if fascinated by the movement. A part of her felt relief to know that her behavior had been explained, though she couldn’t help but feel her heart would be more at ease if Callum’s father had never become aware of the situation. They would think less of him for his work. She couldn’t let them hold him accountable for the things which were out of his control. It was easy for everyone else to stand by and claim they would not have fallen for Ireni’s wiles, but she had been cunning. Any man aboard Callum’s ship could have become her prey.
“You seem more in control of your thoughts on the matter now,” Edric mused, leaning forward in his seat to clasp Aiva’s hands in his, breaking her concentration from the f
idgeting motion of her fingers. “With that in mind, I will ask you an important question which no one else was able to answer before we left. A plan of seduction, while not an approved military tactic, could not be pulled off unless there was reason to believe the target would easily take the bait. Why did it come on Callum to take that course? The men interviewed knew only that Ireni had some level of attraction toward him. None could say with certainty whether there was anything more between the two. This still places him under some scrutiny as far as loyalty if there is any chance he provided confidential information to her, even if unwittingly. You once told me that he admitted to sharing a bed with this woman. Do you still believe this?”
She gazed at him, somber. Miserable at the thought of the confusion she had caused. “I was wrong,” she whispered, unable to hide the grimace which contorted her features. “While you were guilty of not taking me seriously, I was guilty of being far too presumptuous. I assumed everything in the most literal sense and as you scolded me for doing, I made no attempts to give Callum a chance to explain himself. But that is different now. I can tell you with the utmost certainty that Callum never spoke a word to Ireni which might label him a traitor.”
Edric watched her. Solemnly observing her mannerisms as if trying to determine whether or not he was willing to believe what she said. “This is a strange shift, I must say. It is I who now question his loyalty and you who defend it. Can you really be sure that anything he has told you is truthful? Could he have been merely altering the events in order to save his own reputation?”
“The circumstances under which it was discussed placed Callum and I in a position where lying served no purpose,” she sighed. “He and I were being held captive in the Feh Noq prison. We were resigned to the possibility of death. Once our initial anger subsided, he confessed everything. The sincerity could not be false. In truth, it has haunted me ever since. The past pains him, Edric. And because of me, it has been constantly thrown in his face.”
The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Two: Beyond the Veil Page 41