The Myatheira Chronicles: The Vor'shai: From the Ashes (Volume 1)

by Melissa Collins

  “If I insisted, I am certain he would agree to dance with you. Whatever it is you have done, he seems unable to speak of anything but you unless directed toward a different topic. Though inevitably, he finds a way to turn it back to you.”

  “I find that difficult to believe,” Leyna shook her head, unwilling to accept what she was hearing. “Perhaps he would dance with you. I would love to see you perform one of the dances from your court.”

  Chlora chuckled quietly, casting her gaze over to Thade, almost wistfully. “Sadly, I am not Vor’shai. He would never give me a second look. Quite an extraordinary catch though. My parents tried to arrange a marriage between he and I, but were politely declined due to heritage.”

  “Really?” Leyna couldn’t hide the surprise in her voice. Marriage? Thade had never spoken of any arrangements or possible matches for marriage. And to a princess? His family must hold a much higher status than she thought. Though he was the right hand of the Queen. It was fitting he would marry into royalty. She had to wonder if he would have been betrothed to one of Vorsila’s daughters, if they were still alive.

  “He would have been a much better match than the man I am engaged to presently. But such is life, I suppose,” Chlora shrugged.

  Leyna felt her heart wrench with jealousy at the mere thought of another woman winning Thade’s hand in marriage. It was foolish, she knew, but it was out of her control. None of these women were even close to being good enough for him. They were all fake and shallow with their expensive jewelry and low-cut dresses, flaunting their bodies like a party favor. She couldn’t bear the thought of him ending up with someone who only cared about his title and money. He would be nothing more than a trophy to dangle off their arm at court. They couldn’t possibly love him the way she did.

  She fell silent at the sight of a younger lady approaching Thade. Her long brown hair was tightly done up in the back with a clip fashioned of gold and diamonds. She looked cheap, her make-up darker than seemed acceptable next to her light skin and burgundy dress with the bodice cinched awkwardly around her chest. She looked almost desperate to catch his attention. Leyna smiled in spite of herself at the lack of interest she could see on Thade’s face.

  “Would you do me the honor of demonstrating a dance for us? Please?”

  “Hmm?” Leyna mumbled. The sound of Chlora’s voice had brought her back from her reverie. “Oh,” she stammered. “Right – well. That depends on if you can convince the Consul to be my partner. As you said, the other men here likely do not know the steps, and I would look rather foolish trying to dance alone.”

  Chlora’s face brightened, her hand reaching out to clasp Leyna’s. “It may take a bit of work. He is stubborn, but we can trick him.”

  They moved across the floor at a brisk pace, pausing occasionally to accept the greetings of other courtiers along the way. Accompanying the Princess only added to the curious stares, watching Leyna as if they should know who she was but couldn’t recognize her face. She felt powerful next to Chlora. Her friendship was a status symbol in and of itself. Many longed to be in the confidence of royalty, but few ever managed to achieve such trust. Leyna knew the only reason Chlora even gave her a second glance was due to Thade’s praises.

  “The Consul tells me that you lived in Mialan some years back,” Chlora chimed in suddenly. Their pace slowed. Her words sounded deliberate. Leyna inhaled a breath, realizing the true reason why the Princess had approached her.

  “Really? He told you that?” she said stiffly. “I suppose it is true. But it was over twenty five years ago. Much has changed since then.”

  “If what he says is true, then I will be sure that you receive a gift before you leave for the mainland. Something for your birthday. It seems fitting.”

  Leyna opened her mouth to inquire of what Chlora was referring to, the words lost to her. They were already within sight of Thade, his eyes brightening at their approach.

  “Ah, Your Highness. Lady Evantine. To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?”

  “Your Grace, this lovely young woman has agreed to demonstrate one of the Tanispan court dances for us in honor of her special day,” Chlora smiled. Her voice was charming. She was making a great effort to sweet-talk him into submission. “It only seems right that you would be her partner. You are the only Vor’shai here and the dance would be far more graceful and impressive if done by those who created it.”

  Thade chuckled to himself. He looked at home in the presence of royalty, blending in perfectly, his countenance regal and commanding. He was stunning in his deep blue doublet lined with silver chains and trim to match his eyes. It was secured up the front with silver sapphire-inset buttons which brought out the rich hue of the velvet. Standing next to him, Leyna smiled at their complimenting wardrobes. If she hadn’t known any better, she might have thought they’d arranged it intentionally.

  “Your Highness. You know as well as I that there is little difference between the dances you enjoy here in Mialan and the ones we do back home.” He took a casual sip from his wine goblet. “Surely you have others here who would be willing to put on a show for you.”

  “The only show I desire to see is that of this young lady dancing. If the dances are so similar, then I will just have to recruit another dashing young man to join her. There are plenty around who would not be so rude as to turn her away like you.”

  Thade looked taken aback by her remark, lowering his goblet from his lips. “It is not a matter of rudeness. I simply am not much of a dancer.”

  “I do say, Leyna. I believe you may be right in your assumptions that he does not know how to dance,” Chlora smirked, linking her arm through Leyna’s. “There are plenty of others more suitable for you.” Turning, Chlora gestured toward a group of men lingering a few feet away, ignoring Thade’s protests from behind. “What say you of the gentleman in the green?”

  “He certainly is handsome,” Leyna nodded in agreement. “Does he dance well? I cannot have someone stepping all over my feet.”

  “That is Lord Felton. He is known for having a way with the ladies. A splendid performer, but I would not accept an invitation from him beyond the dance.”

  “I will not be shown up by Lord Felton,” Thade interjected, tipping his head back to drink the last of his wine. “You intentionally threw her to that wolf just to get me.”

  “And it worked,” Chlora smiled. Nonchalantly, she turned back to Thade, offering Leyna’s arm to him. “Your family might not have allowed us to marry, but I still know exactly how to get what I want from you.”

  Straightening his doublet proudly, Thade took Leyna’s hand in his, tossing a final glance over his shoulder at Chlora as he led Leyna out to the center of the floor. “That woman is absolutely spoiled rotten. I sympathize for her husband-to-be.”

  “You did not have to dance with me if you did not want to.” She felt guilty for having forced him into it. The wine was affecting her thought processes. Without it, she knew she never would have tried to convince him to do anything. Especially not something which required him to be so close to her. The situation was awkward enough, even without her fluttering heart.

  Thade spun her around in front of him. With a nod to the musicians, he placed his right hand at her waist, positioning her with perfect carriage in his arms. “Do not be ridiculous. I wanted to dance with you. I merely did not want to do so with so many eyes upon us. However, I could not very well let her pawn you off on Lord Felton. That man is the Teagan of the Mialan court.”

  “Sounds pleasant,” she grinned.

  When the music started, she let herself be swept away by the melody. Thade’s frame was flawless. He moved her easily around the floor, leading in and out of the intricate steps of a dance Leyna hadn’t done since her time with Lady Faustine. It was a miracle she even remembered the pattern. Her feet stumbled only once, but Thade caught her, hiding the fumble effortlessly.

  While pulling her into him again, Thade leaned forward, his voice barely audible over the thr
um of the music. “Has anyone ever told you that you are a remarkable dancer?”

  “Once,” Leyna smiled to herself. It was silly of her, really. Although she’d been put-off by the whole situation at the masque in Tanispa, she had always thought fondly of the dance she’d shared with the young Prince. His compliment remained with her. Most times she thought back on that night in a poor light, though it meant a great deal to receive such praise from a man of his standing.

  “Ah, then I am not the first,” Thade chortled. “It does not make it any less true, however. You have the grace of a noblewoman without the pretentiousness which tends to accompany it.”

  “When you have that kind of wealth and power, pretentiousness only seems natural.”

  “It is your modesty that makes these men drawn to you.” Thade’s voice cut off as they broke apart. Leyna twirled by him gracefully, catching his hand on the other side. “But they assume it to be false. A means of gaining their affection. They do not realize you really are genuine – and if they find out, they will eat you alive.”

  Leyna held his gaze steady, challenging him playfully. “And are you going to protect me from the circling vultures?”

  “I would, if I thought you would let me.”

  What an odd statement for him to make. He would protect her. She knew that to be true. He had told her many times in the past. But what made him think she wouldn’t let him? Had she come across so independent that he believed she would push him away? Deny him?

  But how many times had she done so already? Numerous. She couldn’t even begin to count them. He’d tried so desperately to help her from the moment she returned to Siscal after the masque. He wanted to protect her from Mikel and Oksuva, knowing what they were like, and what being around them would do to her. The risk she was taking. Time and time again he had attempted to save her from the terrible things that were happening around them. The lies, the deceit, the betrayal. Over and over she had denied him. Left him feeling helpless while he watched her continue to fall deeper into it all.

  Maybe it was the wine, but the guilt inside her was growing at the mere thought of what she had done to him. After all this time! How could she ever make it right?

  She could enjoy this night the way he wished for her to. To enjoy life in a way she never had in the entire time she’d known him. And she was. The night had been magnificent, so far. She felt like a princess, dancing the dances of the Tanispan court. Every man in the room was watching her, wanting to be her partner, and she had no intentions of choosing any of them. She was like one of the maidens in her mother’s fairy tales. It would all end when she returned to her room that night. Taking off the lipstick and the jewels which shone brilliantly against her skin. She would go back to being plain old Leyna Evantine. The orphan grandchild of a narcissistic nobleman.

  Although the music had ended, the room continued to spin in Leyna’s vision. She was approaching drunkenness from the never-ending glasses of wine provided to her throughout the night. There had been a reason why she swore off alcohol the night of her eighteenth birthday. It clouded her judgment and her vision, making it impossible to think clearly. She needed air.

  The music could not end soon enough for her. Giving a final graceful curtsy to Thade, she couldn’t think about the applause that filled the room. For the first time that night, she was reminded of just how uncomfortable the corset strapped unnaturally tight around her body was. It was a sadistic sort of fashion the wealthy reveled in. They would give up air for the sake of appearing more slender and appealing to the masses. How that made sense, she would never understand.

  “Leyna, are you alright?”

  “I cannot breathe,” she whispered, becoming aware of Thade’s presence still at her side. “I need fresh air.”

  “There is a veranda adjoining the back courtyard which has an entrance through this room,” he nodded. “I doubt they would miss us if we stepped out there for a few moments.”

  Emphatically she bobbed her head in agreement, letting him lead her through the crowd lining the wall, the voices of courtiers greeting them as they passed. All Leyna could think about was getting to that door.

  Her gait was unsteady by the time they reached the arch. Somehow her head was getting foggier with every passing moment. How much wine had she drunk? The amount had far exceeded that which she’d consumed at Malic’s the last time she willingly consumed alcohol. It baffled her to think anyone could possibly enjoy the feeling.

  The courtyard was a welcome change of scenery. A gentle breeze wafted through the well-trimmed hedges, bringing with it a scent of pine and some heavenly floral fragrance. Coming to a stop, she inhaled deeply, staring morosely off into the distance. “How do these people do it?” she asked. “I could not handle the constant parties and socializing, everyone always aware of your personal business. I would go absolutely mad.”

  “There is a reason why I choose to keep my home outside the main palace of Siscal,” Thade chuckled, urging her forward again with a slow and casual pace over the cobblestone path leading through the garden.

  Leyna sighed miserably. She couldn’t imagine what it must be like. For a single night it was fun to dress in such extravagant clothing and behave like she was on top of the world, but it could grow tiresome. It was an empty existence, without purpose or meaning. How could it be that the peasants likely experienced a far more fulfilling life than those of the courtiers? There was only so much comfort money could bring when all of your friends were just waiting for you to misstep so they could plunge a knife into your back and take it all away.

  “I had no idea things would be like this. How do you handle it? It is a far cry from the days we spent at war.”

  “Yes, it is tedious, that is certain,” Thade agreed. “Many times I find myself missing the simple duties of a Captain. As long as my men were well-trained and fully equipped for whatever might come our way, that was all I needed. Now it is a daily struggle to maintain the relations between Tanispa and Siscal. And though that may seem an easy task, it is far from it. Constantly there are trivial things which for some reason hold much more weight than they justifiably should – and those could tear apart the entire alliance with a single misspoken statement. Royalty can be fickle in their feelings toward other governments, and the people that serve under them can be even more so.”

  “Have you ever considered returning to the military?” It felt a harmless question to ask. Though there was no war waging currently, there was always need for protection from one thing or another.

  Thade appeared to consider her question before responding, his expression forlorn. “I considered it in the past, but the decision is not mine to make anymore. I do what I am told. I am grateful for the opportunities, but I miss the freedom. The bond of friendship that built over time in working with others, knowing they would always be there. And in some cases, knowing that they would die for you. One does not find such camaraderie in politics.”

  “It is harder to take an arrow for someone when the weapons are words.”

  Thade smiled briefly. He couldn’t argue. It was an accurate assessment of the world he lived in now, after the war. “We do have some great memories from then, however. Somehow we all managed to keep our senses of humor despite the stringent lifestyle.”

  Leyna couldn’t help but smile at the thought of days gone by, reminiscing about the nights spent among friends, laughing, simply enjoying each other’s presence, grateful for their time together. They were constantly aware that it could be taken away in the blink of an eye. No moment was wasted. “Do you remember that tavern we all visited on our way through the mountains?”

  “In Puavi? On our way to Velorum?”

  “Yes, that is the one,” she nodded, chuckling to herself. The memory remained too humorous for her even now to keep from laughing. “I am amazed Teagan still spoke to me after that.”

  “For convincing that poor waitress that he was eyeing the bartender rather than her?” Thade grinned.

  “H
er face was priceless! You cannot deny it,” she laughed. Hearing the sound echoing through the garden, she covered her mouth with her hand, eyes darting around the area in embarrassment. “He would not stop bragging that he was so desirable. And she was absolutely smitten by him. I could not just let him succeed. His ego would have been suffocating.”

  “Honestly, I am not sure he ever discovered who told the girl. I believe he assumed it was Feolan.”

  “Feolan never would have done it,” she shook her head. “He was far too shocked when I did.”

  “You must admit,” Thade mused. “You never really came across as the type to pull such a joke when we first met you. We considered you to be so level-headed and serious. Quick-witted and clever, but never a prankster. Teagan most likely to this day would not believe it was you.”

  “Well, I could not simply be the focal point of everyone else’s jokes. A girl has to develop a sense of humor. I cannot count the number of times Teagan claimed that the only reason I was made lieutenant was because the commanding officers thought I was pretty and would make a good distraction against the enemy.”

  Shaking his head, Thade chuckled quietly to himself. “Teagan had a fear of being inferior. To him, women are objects to be utilized for the pleasures of men. He could never truly see the skill you possessed. But Feolan and I did, as did General Matias and Commander Laoter. Never doubt that your promotion through the ranks was entirely professional and in honor of your hard work, dedication, and skill.”

  She could feel the warmth building in her cheeks at the compliment. Doubt had lingered in her mind over the years, in fear that there may have been an ulterior motive to her promotion. Constantly she’d been plagued with the idea that she was hindering the unit because of her age. Holding them back. As a higher ranking officer it would have been easier for them to monitor her, protect her, or keep her out of the battle with other business matters if they so desired. Never had they exercised that power, but the concern had remained nevertheless.