The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Three: Crown of Ice

by Melissa Collins

  When they finally reached the foyer he thought he would scream from frustration. His first large social gathering since their return and already he was reminded of why he’d been so adamant about leaving Tanispa in the first place. These people were the reason the thought of sacrificing himself had been so tempting. And it wasn’t going to get any easier. Nothing had changed while they were away. Now that he was home, they would fall back into the same routine. His only hope at maintaining sanity was that Callum and Aiva would spend more time at the palace. Discussions had begun over whether they would return to Escovul now that the baby was born. Their parents preferred the thought of moving them back home to Sivaeria so Sarai could be looked after and protected with more caution and care than could be provided in Escovul. Edric couldn’t help but agree with their logic, though he was fully willing to admit that his reasons were more selfish than those of his parents.

  “General! There you are.”

  Instinctively Edric and Callum glanced over their shoulders in search of Cadell, laughing at one another at the realization that the voice was calling for Callum. “Captain Taeth,” he smiled, bowing to their friend in greeting. “Starting your duties a little early, don’t you think? I thought you would be entertaining the ladies on the dance floor.”

  Gadiel chuckled, straightening the stiff fabric of the Captain’s uniform he wore, attempting to make himself look more presentable. It was a change to see him in such formal attire. The black and gold shone brightly in the lights of the chandeliers, accented by the perfect polished shine of his boots. His black hair was parted to the left, combed with meticulous care to rest neatly atop his head. “I was thinking to ask the young Lady Diah to dance but I was intercepted with a message from the doorman. It seems we have a guest who is requesting to speak with you.”

  “A guest?” Callum peered at him, clearly curious. “Could they not have found me in the ballroom? I’ve been available all evening.”

  “I believe this guest is here on business instead of pleasure. They refuse to speak with anyone or even set foot inside the palace until they have been acknowledged by you personally.”

  Aiva’s arm tightened around Edric’s, looking up at him in concern. “I do not like the sounds of this. Gadiel,” she looked over to him nervously. “Do you know who this person is?”

  The uncomfortable shift in his stance told Edric that Gadiel was more informed than he was letting on. His demeanor had been too relaxed when he approached for it to be someone with whom to be worried about. The question was why he would withhold the detail of the guest’s identity. “I think it best the General see to their request. We shouldn’t risk a scene in front of everyone at court.”

  “I will not be long, darling,” Callum turned swiftly to Aiva, gently placing a kiss on her forehead. He looked tensed. Poised for whatever their mystery guest might desire. It was an abrupt shift from their relaxed conversation only moments ago, Callum’s posture rigid as he moved away from them toward the entrance of the palace, his long strides exuding confidence in his newly acquired position. It came as no surprise that he would fall so easily into the role of General. Edric was more concerned about who would be asking for him so soon. Everyone of note should have already been in attendance at the party. He couldn’t think of anyone who would be so bold as to pull Callum away from his own celebration.

  They watched in nervous anticipation, their eyes locked on the door where Callum disappeared out into the night. Edric wasn’t comfortable letting him go out there alone. Callum was a strong and able fighter but there was no way to know what sort of ambush could be waiting for him.

  He paid little attention to the sparse crowd wandering around them as he started a slow shuffle toward the door, unaware that he’d even begun moving until he felt Gadiel’s hand reach across his chest, blocking him from going any further. “Your Highness, it is fine. You know I never would have allowed him to go out there alone if I thought there was a chance he was in danger. It isn’t my goal to fail in my duties on my first night as Captain.”

  “Then why the secrecy?” Edric demanded, turning a stern gaze on his friend. “Aiva and I have a right to know who intrudes on our home uninvited.”

  “Oh, they were invited. It seems they simply had other business which they felt was more important than mere socialization.”

  Edric’s heart came to a painful halt in his chest. There were very few people he could think of who would present themselves in this fashion. The guest list had been long but he was aware of the names which were on it. Only a single man came to mind who had not yet arrived that had reason to request a private audience with anyone within the palace.

  The thought came to him just as the entry door opened, Callum’s stoic figure appearing once again, followed by a man whose face Edric could never forget. His long snowy white hair hung long, framing his pale features, the roiling blue energy within his eyes burning into Edric’s as they drew nearer. Edric swallowed hard, suddenly afraid of what business Okivra would have in Tanispa if he wasn’t there for the celebration. The sternness of his gaze said little. He was absolutely impossible to decipher. Edric couldn’t deny the heightened intensity in his gaze, the way he stared Edric down, as if sizing him up for battle, searching for some weakness he could exploit.

  His unease was made worse by the two figures who stood at either side of the Chief, their stone-like expressions revealing no hint of pleasure at being there. Onuric’s posture was stiff, jaw set, paying little attention to Aiva’s presence, focused only on Edric. Arms folded across his chest he gave a haughty lift of his chin, staring down his nose at them. It was Neomi’s silent gaze which left Edric confused. She looked beautiful. More so than he remembered her having looked before. Her hunting attire had been traded for a more formal garment, resembling that which he had seen Moinie wear for their first meeting with Okivra upon returning from Isavo. The length of her shirt hung low over her hips, silken cording cinched at the waist to dangle elegantly from one side. A pair of white leather boots adorned her legs up to the thigh, nearly concealing the pants she wore underneath, the design of the garment giving the illusion of a dress while offering the comfort to maneuver in battle if it became necessary.

  At the sight of Edric she brought her right hand up, hesitant, trembling with uncertainty as her fingers splayed in an awkward wave, seeming suddenly nervous. He was reminded of the first time he’d greeted her in Nahedu with a similar gesture. The display of greeting was retaliated against by the use of their archers’ arrows. It was strange to see her now attempting to utilize the Vor’shai customs.

  “Captain,” Callum announced, standing proudly before Okivra and his children. “I ask that you return to the ballroom and seek the Queen and King. Inform them that Chief Okivra of the Ovatai is here and requests a private audience with them. He will not be turned away, nor do I recommend they do so. I will escort him to the meeting chamber.”

  Snapping to attention Gadiel nodded, obedient, casting Edric a curious glance before hurrying toward the ballroom. He was barely more than a few steps away when Callum set his attention on Okivra once again, motioning for him to follow. Okivra took a single long stride, pausing to throw a commanding look over his shoulder at Onuric. “Keep an eye on them,” he stated loudly, narrowing his eyes as he returned his gaze to Edric. He said nothing more, breezing past Edric and Aiva with an air of authority and grace, oblivious to the insult his words would have given if spoken by anyone else at court. He didn’t trust Edric. And he was making no attempt to conceal that fact.

  Edric didn’t know what to say. For weeks he’d gone over in his mind what he would say to Neomi if he saw her again and now none of it seemed right. He couldn’t be open with her in front of Onuric. It was obvious that Okivra and his son remained bitter about the details of his relationship with Neomi but he found it curious why they would come here if they held it against him. Unless Okivra decided to lodge a formal complaint with the King and Queen in regards to Edric’s conduct. He knew
his parents would support him. They saw the good in what Edric accomplished while in Ethrysta and would argue his sacrifices to outweigh whatever insult Okivra might feel was inflicted upon him. His only fear was in the possibility that the audience would turn sour if they couldn’t see eye-to-eye. He would never forgive himself if his actions cost them the alliance with the Ovatai.

  Neomi fidgeted uncomfortably, clearing her throat to break the awkward silence between them. “You look… well. I was worried…”

  “Yes. The physicians say I am recovering. It has been slow but… I am simply happy to have the use of my legs back.” Small talk. It felt somewhat strained while he was thankful for the ease in the tension hovering on the air. Onuric’s ears twitched at the sound of their voices, listening to monitor what was said.

  “Callum – he is General now?” she looked toward the ballroom where Gadiel had gone, catching a glimpse of her brother’s disapproving glare in her peripheral vision. With a disgruntled sigh she averted her eyes, staring down at her trembling hands. There on her finger Edric caught the glint of diamonds from the ring she wore, recognizing it instantly to be the one he presented to her, his heart fluttering to see that her father hadn’t removed it from her hand.

  Unable to contain a smile he nodded in affirmation of her inquiry. “Yes. His father finally decided to step down from the military. The title of Captain has been relinquished to Gadiel… though I’m sure you were already aware of that.” Stupid. Why did he have to sound so foolish? Neomi had heard Callum address Gadiel with his title. She was observant enough to have noticed.

  Courtiers bustled in and out of the ballroom, their interest drawn in the direction of Onuric and Neomi, hushed whispers passed from person to person, spreading like wildfire until a crowd had begun to form near the door, curious eyes peering out to get a glimpse of the unexpected visitors. Edric did his best to ignore the watchful eyes, wishing that everyone would go away and leave him in peace with Neomi. But that would never happen. Even if he ordered the men and women to disperse, he could do nothing about Onuric’s statuesque form perched at Neomi’s side.

  “Who is the young lady in your company, Prince?” Neomi fumbled over the title. It had been so long since he’d heard her refer to him that way. Their friendship long since evolved away from such formalities. She no doubt reverted to his title for the sake of the crowd.

  Embarrassed by his lack of manners he motioned toward Aiva, gently guiding her forward to close the gap between them and Neomi, presenting an opportunity to converse without the impersonal distance they maintained out of their hesitation to be near one another. “I apologize. My head is not entirely clear. This is Aiva. You heard Callum and I speak of her frequently.”

  “Your sister,” Neomi nodded, looking Aiva over, intrigued. “She is… pretty.” Her words were spoken as if Aiva was unable to hear the compliment. After a moment she paused, thinking over what to say next, directing her attention to Aiva. “You are the Captain’s – the General’s wife?”

  Dipping into a formal curtsy Aiva smiled politely at Neomi, unfazed by her strange social habits. “I am. You must be Neomi. The boys spoke so highly of you upon their return. I feel as though I have known you for years from the stories they told.”

  “I… you are not as I pictured. The men said you were ill…”

  “Having my brother and my husband home again has been rather beneficial to my recovery process. You, on the other hand, are exactly as I imagined.” Aiva’s head tilted forward, her smile widening. “That is a lovely ring,” she complimented, motioning to Neomi’s hand with a slight flick of her wrist. Her eyes shifted to Onuric’s, reading the irritation in his expression at the mention of Edric’s ring, though she gave no indication that she cared if he was made uncomfortable by the conversation. “Our parents were pleased when they heard he had bestowed our crest upon you. It is quite an accomplishment to pry it from my brother’s finger.”

  Neomi appeared taken aback by Aiva’s lighthearted comment, her eyes opened wide in barely concealed shock. “They were pleased?” she gasped. “I… They were not disappointed in his decision?”

  He wanted to reach out to her. To take Neomi in his arms and tell her of his father’s promise to support their union. Raising his arms he thought to act on his impulse, halted quickly by Onuric’s sturdy figure stepping between them. “You are not to touch her until the Chief has concluded his meeting with the Queen.”

  Something about Onuric’s words struck him as odd. There was a stipulation on when he could touch her? He was prepared for a more decisive response. The current implications lead Edric to believe that his touching her might eventually be permitted. It was too much to hope for.

  “Your Highness –” Gadiel’s voice caused them all to jump. Edric wasn’t prepared for his return so soon. He expected they would be tortured for hours, waiting to hear word of what transpired during the meeting between his parents and the Chief.

  “Yes? What news do you bring?”

  “The Queen summons you and the Lady It’aryn to the throne room. If you will both follow me.”

  “Neomi is not to go anywhere without my accompaniment,” Onuric stated firmly. In a display of authority he positioned himself in front of Gadiel, his stature impressive, intimidating, though it failed to rattle Gadiel’s nerve. He stared up at Onuric’s towering figure, unflinching, following the example Callum had set for the soldiers on so many occasions. Noticing Gadiel’s confident stance he suddenly looked unsettled, slowly taking a step back. “Has the Chief requested my presence? I was told I would be called upon to hear the decision of the negotiation.”

  Gadiel nodded politely, motioning for Onuric and Aiva to join him. “The Queen suspected you would insist as much. Come. I promised Her Majesty I would not keep her waiting.”

  There was no need to sneak about through the private corridors to reach the throne room. The courtiers were already aware of the Queen’s absence from the celebration, their inquisitive stares directed to Edric and Aiva, whispering questions and speculations as they watched Gadiel lead them down the hall, several onlookers boldly following them until they reached the guards at the private sector of the palace. Free of the watchful eyes Edric was finally able to think. He was prepared for an interrogation. If Okivra came to present a complaint to the Queen, she would require Edric to account for his behavior. The conduct of a Prince was under extreme scrutiny when in the lands of a foreign dignitary. It mattered little if his parents supported him. He was not above a formal trial in the presence of the Chief for the sake of public relations.

  They received no announcement upon their arrival. Callum was positioned outside the entrance when they approached, assisting Gadiel in drawing open the massive gilded doors leading into the throne room. In that moment Edric cursed Callum’s uncanny ability to hide his thoughts. He was stoic as ever, not a crease or twitch to his features which would forewarn Edric of what he was walking into. Reflexively he reached for Neomi’s hand, no longer caring what Onuric had to say. If they were about to face the wrath of the Chief for what transpired in Ethrysta, he was not going to stand there and deny his feelings for Neomi. He wanted to make them known. Undeniable to everyone in the room, whether they approved or not. For a split second he feared Neomi would pull away, afraid to show affection in front of her father. To his surprise she accepted his hand, squeezing it tightly in her own.

  Making their way down the long carpet leading to the thrones, Edric held his chin high, alert, guarded against an unexpected attack from Onuric or Okivra. The King and Queen rose from their seats, the motion perfectly in sync, demanding the attention of everyone in the room. “Edric,” the Queen stated, her gentle voice filling the air with an authoritative ring. “As a member of the Levadis family, you have a responsibility to the people of Tanispa. Your actions in the line of military duty are commendable and are regarded with the highest esteem by both the Vor’shai and the Ovatai alike. But there is another matter which I am unable to ignore and it will be a
ddressed here this evening with those present bearing witness.”

  She was the perfect picture of elegance as she stepped away from the throne, the heavy silver damask fabric of her gown brushing the floor, her body almost seeming to float along the carpet to stand in front of Edric and Neomi. “Lady It’aryn,” she directed a serene smile to Neomi. “You wear upon your finger the crest of the Levadis family. I need only look upon your joined hand with my son’s to know that you do not take this gift lightly. To be presented with the symbol of our ancestors also brings with it a significant responsibility. One I must ask if you are prepared to accept.”

  Edric watched his mother’s hand extend toward Neomi’s, lightly resting over their entwined fingers. Her touch was soft. Gentle. Inviting Neomi to answer her question. Drawing her shoulders back Neomi nodded to the Queen, a flash of her usual confidence sparking in her icy eyes. “I am not afraid of a challenge.”

  The Queen smiled, nodding to her in understanding. “That is good to hear. And I must warn you that it will be a challenge. One which you would not otherwise endure among your own people. Our culture is a stark contrast to yours. It can take time to acclimate yourself with our ways. Your father, however, has made an offer to my husband and I which we are inclined to accept… but there is much that we must consider before coming to a decision.” Carefully she removed her hand, letting her gaze travel slowly between Neomi and Edric, holding their attention with every move of her powerful form. Edric rarely had an opportunity to see his mother in this way. He found her captivating. Almost frightening in her tranquility. “Since the Tanispan throne came into existence, the Levadis family has been seated upon it. Never through the generations has a member of the royal line been permitted to form a union with a partner outside of our own people. The bride or groom chosen for the Levadis children typically herald from the most prominent families of our country. Even those who are not destined for the crown retain certain responsibilities and obligations, both politically and socially, which require a rich knowledge of our culture and what we, as the Vor’shai, stand for. Much the same, our Ovatai neighbors follow a similar custom. It is unprecedented that a Levadis son and an It’aryn daughter would find their paths intertwined the way you two have. Chief Okivra It’aryn has made an offer of marriage between his daughter and my son. So to those who bear witness… I ask you this. Does anyone present here today see any reason why this union should not be granted?”