Aiva’s cheeks flushed a deep crimson. She couldn’t keep silent. It was too uncomfortable for her to bear any longer. “It was no violation, Edric,” she cut in. “I approached him. It was my decision.”
“Sweet Sarid, Aiva! Do not tell me this,” Edric groaned. Burying his face in his hands he grumbled in frustration. “I don’t want to picture the two of you together. No offense, but it sickens me to a degree. I view you both the same as I always have, and in my mind you will always be too young.”
“If it does anything to ease your conscience, Edric – would you prefer the raiders to have gotten her first?”
The room fell eerily silent at the statement. There was no hint of color to Edric’s face, eyes locked on Callum, somber. Mouth agape in unspoken horror. All at once the memories of the attack along the road flooded into Aiva’s mind. She was mortified to think of Edric knowing what almost happened. Nothing happened. Tears filled her eyes. Callum had no way of knowing the truth. She had hidden it from him through her own humiliation and unwillingness to admit that she’d even allowed herself to be placed at risk for such a terrible, unspeakable fate. His mention of it now was no coincidence. He baited her. Forcing her to reveal the truth. “Callum, don’t,” she whispered. “Please, leave it be.”
Edric ignored her quiet pleas. He was quickly working himself into a rage, the white of his skin gradually transforming into a rich scarlet hue. “Callum, did those men touch her?” Angrily he leaned across the bed, fingers tangled in the tattered fabric of Callum’s shirt, a hard jerk of his arm pulling Callum forward and off balance, nearly knocking him from his feet. “Tell me!” he shouted. “What did those men do to my sister?”
“She refuses to tell me!” Callum yelled in defense. He lowered his arms to place his palms on the bed, supporting his weight to avoid falling on Aiva. “My heart has been in pieces since the moment I found her in the woods underneath that man. I would have torn every limb from his body had he not already been a corpse upon my arrival.”
“Callum, you are mistaken!” Aiva cried out.
“Mistaken?” he exclaimed. “What would you have me believe, Aiva? Your clothes were ripped practically from your body! Given the appearance of you both, I know exactly what it looked like. You are the only one who can ease my mind if you can tell me that he met Sytlea before he caused you harm. Why have you not granted me that peace – unless it’s not something you can offer?”
Racked with sobs, Aiva drew her knees into her chest. At her distress Edric released his hold on Callum, both of them kneeling on the bed at her sides, arms wrapped around her in attempts to console her tears. She didn’t understand why it was so difficult for her to answer. Her body suffered minimal trauma from the incident yet her mind remained petrified at the mere thought. All the things which might have happened but never did. I should be grateful. Why can I not simply appreciate the fortuitousness of having escaped unharmed?
“I can offer that peace,” she sniffled. Desperately she clung to both boys, not wanting to let them go. “My dagger found its mark before he could accomplish his wicked intent.”
“Why did you not tell me, then? Why have you remained silent?”
“Because I was afraid, Callum. I cannot recall ever having felt that much fear. Not even when faced with the tiger in Tunir did I feel so helpless. Death somehow holds less fear than the thought of the utter ruination that man was capable of causing. The thought of living with that humiliation. And it was all my fault!” Aiva felt her body shaken by another wave of sobs. “While I was lying there, I kept thinking how much of a fool I was for not listening to you.”
Overcome with relief Callum tightened his arms around Aiva, showering soft kisses over her tear-streaked face. “It is not your fault,” he breathed. “You were coming back for me. I knew you would do it. I tried to regain my horse fast enough to prevent you losing much ground but I was too slow.”
“I couldn’t leave you. I was afraid they would kill you.” Gently Aiva placed her hands against Callum’s cheeks to pull him toward her. Their lips met in a tender kiss. Everything else in the room faded away around them. Aiva could think of nothing but him. The feel of his arms. His mouth. She found herself forgetting her brother’s presence until she heard him clear his throat, reaching between them to separate their passionate embrace.
“Could you try not to do that in front of me? We had an agreement…”
Aiva blushed, a smile spreading over her lips. “I am sorry, Edric,” she apologized. “Perhaps you could turn away? Then it wouldn’t be so bad.”
Callum laughed, pulling Aiva to him again. “Yes, Edric. You could simply turn your back. Then you wouldn’t have to see anything.”
The sound of a key turning in the lock sent them all into a panicked silence. In perfect synchronization Callum and Edric rose to their feet, taking a few steps away from the bed to create a gap between them and Aiva, trying to appear nonchalant at the sight of Thade pushing open the door. At their awkward stance Thade glanced between the two boys, eyeing them, suspicious. “Why do you look as though you have been caught doing something you are not supposed to?”
“We were not doing anything, Father,” Edric coughed. He and Callum looked at one another, giving a confused shrug, feigning innocence.
“Yes,” Thade frowned. “That is exactly what you have always said when caught up to no good, which only serves to worry me more.” His eyes moved to settle on Aiva, immediately noticing the redness of her eyes. “If you are in fact not doing anything, then why is my daughter crying?”
“She is worried about Shae. I’m sure you can sympathize with her concerns,” Edric lied. Although she hated to be dishonest with her father, Aiva was grateful to Edric for not telling him the truth. His statement was not entirely false. She was worried about her sister. She simply had no desire for her father to become aware of the events which transpired on the road to Targas. He would be less willing to let it go than Edric and Callum. She wiped at her face with the blankets to rid the final tears, forcing a smile to assure her father that she was alright.
Callum’s body grew taut to see General Cadell appear over Thade’s shoulder in the hall. At his arrival, Thade moved further into the room, allowing Cadell to make his way through the door, motioning for Edric and Callum to leave. “I do not have time to sit and attempt deciphering what you are up to, Edric. For now, I need you and Callum to step outside. Do not wander far. You may be called for again.”
Taking a step closer to the bed, Callum appeared hesitant to leave Aiva’s side. Aiva took his hand in hers, squeezing it tightly, afraid to let him go. Footsteps approached outside the door to reveal Commander Varik, her father beckoning him to join them. What was going on? It didn’t make sense why they would send Edric and Callum away while surrounding her with the most prominent men of the Tanispan military. The thought made her uneasy. Were they coming to take Callum away? She couldn’t let that happen.
“Boys, please,” Thade urged them toward the door once again. “This is not a request. Let us not add further crimes upon those already committed.”
At the affirmation of the command Edric moved to Callum’s side, gently tugging at his arm to direct him to follow. “Come, Callum,” he said quietly. “It is best not to create a scene.”
His hand was pulled from Aiva’s, begrudged, eyes gazing upon her in solemnity. Edric cast an apologetic glance toward his sister. She understood his reasons for taking Callum away. If they wanted to have a chance at defending him, he would need to obey every order given without hesitation so as to not create question of his loyalty. An argument of a direct command by the King would injure his cause, possibly beyond repair.
She watched him and her brother leave the room, Varik closing the door behind them. In all her years, Aiva couldn’t remember a time she’d felt so intimidated by her own father. He was stern and commanding, a simple gesture of his hand indicating Cadell to take up a position at the back of the room, Varik standing watch near the door to preve
nt interruptions. Thade took a step forward, hands clasped firmly in front of him. “Let me explain a few things,” he stated calmly. “This is an investigation. You know interrogations involving military members are, under normal circumstances, conducted by the General. Given the sensitive nature of this particular accusation and the close relation of the one on trial, it has fallen in my hands to conduct the interviews.” Thade nodded to the General. Cadell bowed his head slightly, shamed, yet understanding of Thade’s decision. “Now, Aiva. I will give you a choice,” he continued. “Your statement will most likely be of high importance to our verdict. After all, the accusation stemmed from your very lips. I leave it to your discretion whether this interview proceeds in private, or if you prefer Callum be present and aware of all that is disclosed within these walls.”
It was a silly question for him to ask. Although she feared the declarations which might be made, Callum had every right to know what was being said about him. Exactly what falsehoods had been laid out. Back straightened against the headboard she brought the blankets in tighter to her chin, knees tucked against her chest. “Please. I wish to have him at my side.”
“Do you understand the difficulties his presence may pose? Are you certain this is your decision?” Thade questioned, his eyes set on her, seeming to search her expression in case she revealed uncertainty at the request. “To have the accused in attendance can make truthful statements more difficult to give. I must warn you – if you withhold information due to his presence, it could be detrimental to you both. Any perjury on your behalf would require severe punishment. Do you swear upon your honor that you will not sully your word if he is brought before us now?”
“I will say nothing without him here to witness.”
“Aiva Levadis, do you swear to maintain the integrity of your word?”
She inhaled sharply. Her entire body was on edge, the attentive eyes of Cadell and Varik locked on her, anxious to hear her response. There was a glimmer of hope visible in the depths of Cadell’s gaze. She was the key to determining his son’s innocence. Aware of this fact, he waited in silent anticipation. “I swear,” Aiva stated, proud and confident.
Satisfied, Thade motioned Varik toward the door. Aiva watched him, eager to see Callum’s face again, her white knuckles clenched over the blankets as if it would somehow protect her from whatever these men might say. Varik returned a moment later, leading Callum into the room while closing the door behind them once again. Callum looked hesitant. Unsure of the reason for his summons. Thade waved him toward a chair situated at Aiva’s bedside, his manner austere. Precise in every movement. “Have a seat, Callum,” he said, the tone directed as an order rather than a request. “You are here strictly to listen. Any rebuttal you might have will be heard once Aiva’s statement has been completed. That is not to say questions will not be asked of you throughout. Speak only when spoken to. Do you understand?”
Posture stiff, Callum lowered onto the chair, his eyes shifting quickly between Aiva and Thade. Chin held high, he nodded in response. “I understand, Your Majesty.”
Aiva stared at Callum, longing to take his hand and assure him that everything would be alright. She didn’t dare display such affection in front of her father. This was a trial. Any show of favor toward Callum would risk a diminishment of credibility in her defenses. With bated breath she waited for the interrogation to begin. This was the moment she’d been dreading.
“We will begin, then. General Cadell will oversee the interview, as is his duty, though all questions will be asked by me. Commander Varik is here as witness to guarantee the inquisition is conducted fairly and without bias. To make the point of this clear, Captain Callum Zerne Levadis – you are under investigation for the charge of treason to the highest degree. Claims have been laid against you which involve associations with enemy leaders and divulging sensitive information at the risk of your own people as well as misconduct in the line of duty for behavior unbecoming of a member within the ranks of the Royal Army. This is the second time your loyalty has been brought to question. The Queen has pardoned you for the first, however, that doesn’t mean it will not hold any bearing on our deliberations.”
It sounded frightening to hear her father lay out the accusations in such a way. In her mind it was less daunting. Easier for her to manipulate an explanation in Callum’s defense. Over the last couple of months she’d forgotten the initial charges which had been laid against Callum before they left Tanispa. Another crime he suffered the consequences of because of her foolishness. His record would have been clear had she not felt compelled to behave in a rash and inappropriate manner that night in the courtyard with Dacian. Callum lied to protect her and he suffered now for his loyalty.
“Aiva, I will start at the beginning,” Thade stated, moving across the floor at a slow, well-controlled pace, his eyes never leaving Aiva’s. “The origin of the current charges was first presented by yourself. Do you deny this?”
“I suppose that depends on what you mean by origin,” Aiva replied softly. “I was the one to request the investigation of the claims, though the charges were relayed to me by another source, whose statement has since been discredited.”
“Whether or not the source is credible will be decided by me, not you. Name the source of your information.”
“Lord Dacian Ellis.”
“And what is your relationship with Lord Dacian?”
“He and I have no relationship, Father. I would not even call him a friend.”
“Surely there was something between you both at one time which would merit him to confide sensitive information.” Thade paused in his pace, staring steadily at her. “Keep in mind that Lord Dacian has already been questioned in the past in regards to the two of you. We have only just begun here and your statement is in conflict with his. Now, is it his word we must reconsider, or are you not being forthcoming? Do remember that you have sworn to complete honesty here today.”
Her confidence waned rapidly at her father’s relentless questions. There was no escaping her misdeeds. She had no choice than to explain everything, regardless of how incriminating it was to her own honor. “What Lord Dacian may consider to be some form of a relationship is debatable. I am not proud to admit that I behaved in a less than decorous manner with him on a single occasion and my reasons were misplaced and uncalled for. In my own denial and a foolish attempt at making another gentleman jealous, I accompanied Dacian into the gardener’s shed within the palace courtyard and allowed him to kiss me. It went no further, nor did it mean anything of significance to me.”
For the first time since entering the room Aiva saw her father’s expression falter. He paused, muscles rigid, considering her statement thoughtfully before continuing. “And this is the incident which was witnessed by Callum and later denied to have happened? By both of you?”
“I denied it, yes. Callum denied it out of loyalty to me. I denied it out of selfishness. If anyone was to be punished, it should have been me. His reasons were far more honorable than my own.”
“A lie is still a lie, regardless of the reason for it,” Thade frowned. “This brings another question into light, however. If you claim to have no further relation with Dacian Ellis, when did the accusations first come forward? Did he present the concerns to you the night of your misconduct, or did you continue associations with him beyond that evening?”
“We spoke on one other occasion. He approached me in the gardens the day of the betrothal celebration. I was with Calie when he came forward and informed me that he had troubling news to tell me about the man I was engaged to marry.”
“So this was discussed in front of Miss Zerne?”
“No.” Aiva shifted uncomfortably. “He requested we meet in private.”
Thade’s brow rose at the admission. “Private?” he questioned. “And you granted this request?”
“I do not deny the mistakes of my actions at the time, Father. In my foolish frame of mind, I was actively seeking anything which might be consider
ed incriminating against the Captain. At the hope of finding what I was looking for, I met with Dacian near the back of the courtyard gardens, amongst the thicket of trees, where we would not be seen or disrupted.” She let her gaze turn heavenward. It pained her to think that Callum was hearing her confession. “Lord Dacian relayed to me of his experience aboard the ships in Siscal under the Captain while he still served as Commander.”
“Tell me exactly what Lord Dacian said. What was his claim?”
She had to think hard on that day. It was a blur amongst the events of the past few months. At the time it had been the center of her focus though now it seemed trivial. Nothing more than the pathetic attempts of a miscreant to increase his own status by destroying an innocent man. “He began by insisting I tell no one where I received the intelligence. According to him, the Captain demanded the information be kept secret out of fear for his reputation. I commanded him to tell me what he knew. Dacian then relayed a rather harsh story about the Captain and an Esai woman by the name of Ireni Moura who was aboard the ship as a member of their unit. As it turned out, Ireni was affiliated with the pirates and Dacian adamantly stated that the Captain was blinded to this due to an obsession with her body. He made it clear that the relationship between the two was romantically and physically charged.”
“To clarify, you imply Dacian Ellis claimed the Captain to be unaware of her affiliation with the enemy?”
“At first he stated this, yes,” she nodded. “He continued to tell me how he and a few of the other men happened upon Ireni and the Captain during a moment of – intimacy – one night. He claimed the Captain was unaware of the intrusion. Along with this, Dacian explained a supposed fear among the men that Callum was aware all along of Ireni’s associations and that he was so wrapped up in their affair that he was providing her with sensitive information. I must reiterate that this was all quite exaggerated and misleading – ”
The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Two: Beyond the Veil Page 76