The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Two: Beyond the Veil by Melissa Collins Read Free Book Online

elbow to her expectantly. “We are already a little more than fashionably late. Mother and Father were announced almost twenty minutes ago. They have been sending inquiries to me every few minutes as to whether or not you are still feeling under the weather.”
    “I am quite well. You may not have experience personally, but you know enough from having three sisters that our clothing is not the easiest to apply.” She accepted his arm, grateful for his company. It would keep her distracted upon her initial entry to the ballroom, though once inside, she would need to part ways with him quickly. He and Callum were friends. If she remained by Edric, there would be no avoiding the one man she had no desire to see or speak with.
    Edric smirked at Aiva, a sparkle in his silver-blue eyes. “Women’s clothing is quite a puzzle, yes. Though one might argue if it is more difficult to remove than it is to put on.”
    “I like to pretend that you have no knowledge of how it is removed.” Aiva raised her brow in Edric’s direction, taking note of the crooked grin on his face. Shaking her head she heaved a sigh, playfully punching him in the arm with her free hand, rolling her eyes. “What is a lady to do when she is surrounded by dogs?”
    “Ah, so cruel! Father taught me better than that. If you want to see a true dog, you should spend an evening listening to some of the soldiers talk. Though, truth be told, I would never allow them anywhere near you, so you will have to simply take my word for it.”
    Aiva felt her stomach wrench at the thought. Soldiers. She’d heard enough stories about some of them to know what Edric referred to, though she had no desire to question him any further. It came as a surprise that he would speak in such a way about them when his best friend was within their ranks. Or did he think Callum a special case? An exception to the rule. She doubted it. Given how easily Callum succumbed to his desire to kiss her so long ago, with the confidence gained by wearing the Tanispan military uniform, he was likely worse. Egotistical. His company was probably more unbearable than some of the most despicable men she’d heard tell of. “I have no interest in wasting my time with a military man. Do not trouble yourself on the thought.”
    Slow and graceful they made their way into the hall from Aiva’s room, finding the corridor leading into the main areas of the palace to be quiet. Calm. The chaos would begin once they reached the foyer where the guests would be arriving. Taking advantage of the silence in the last few steps of the hallway Edric paused, casting Aiva a stern look. “All jesting aside, I hope you do not think so lowly of our soldiers. Some of the most respectable men in Tanispa serve our family and would die without question if our lives depended on it. I suggest you keep in mind that you cannot punish them all for the deeds of some.”
    “Relax, Edric,” she smiled, hoping he wouldn’t notice the effort it took her to force the expression. “I would never turn a man aside simply for his decision to live a military life. If I did, I would have very few friends, given that a good number of men at court these days tend toward that profession.”
    Nodding, Edric resumed their steady pace toward the foyer. In the large entryway, the vaulted ceiling made everything sound hollow to Aiva’s ears, voices mingling together in a jumbled mess of incoherent noise. At their arrival, the crowd fell hushed, a trumpet sounding from the door. Such fanfare! Callum would have no choice but to notice her. Confident in her plan, she pulled her shoulders back, chin out proudly, defiant.
    As a little girl she’d dreamt of what it would be like to walk into a ballroom filled with her subjects. When she was Queen. She imagined it would feel something like this. A swell of pride to know that the entire court was at her feet. And they would be tonight.
    The doors swung open, the crowd inside bowed low at the