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

Okivra’s side was another man, tall, hovering over Aiva by more than a foot. He was dressed in much the same fashion as the Chief, though he wore it in a far different way. While their clothing was the same, he carried himself with a different pride, almost haughty. Overconfident. The youth in his icy eyes burned into Aiva at their approach.
    “Chief Okivra. I hope we are not intruding, but it seems my daughter decided to grace the party with her presence after all,” Thade announced. In a sweeping motion he gestured to Aiva, her heart pounding hard against her chest to be placed on display in front of these two men. “If I may introduce you to my daughter, Aiva Levadis, and my son, Edric.”
    Coming to Aiva’s rescue, Edric stepped to her other side, hand resting gently on her back to lightly bend her forward, reminding her to curtsy while he bowed deeply to both men in turn. She took his direction, realizing in horror that she had been staring at them in her usual open-mouthed gaze.
    The younger male at Okivra’s side returned Edric’s bow, stepping forward to take Aiva’s hand in his. Surprised by the sudden closeness, she lifted her eyes to him, confused and frightened. “Your Highness,” he stated calmly. Deep. His voice didn’t sound real to Aiva’s ears. Detached in the flow of his words over the Vor’shai language. She was surprised to feel warmth coming from his fingers. The Ovatai always seemed so cold. She’d expected their skin to be just as frozen as their homeland.
    “My son, Onuric It’aryn,” Okivra replied, giving no extravagance to the introduction. “Does the greeting suit the Princess? I attempt to teach him the strange ways of your people in the offering of hands.”
    “It suits well, yes,” Aiva stammered, averting her eyes to the floor once again. She prayed desperately that her father might aid her in an explanation. All she wanted was for Onuric to release her hand so she could quietly slip away. Instead, to her dismay, he maintained his hold, watching her with intense curiosity, scrutinizing her every move.
    Edric shared her confusion at first before seeming to understand what the Chief was asking. Moving around to Onuric’s side, he gave a polite nod, a slight hesitance in his motions as he reached for Aiva’s hand. “If I may?” he asked. Onuric complied, giving Aiva’s hand to her brother, watching Edric’s movements with the same scrutiny as he’d given her. Bending at the waist Edric bowed, lifting Aiva’s hand to his lips to gently kiss the back of it, barely brushing the skin. Once finished, he offered her hand back to Onuric, nodding to him in encouragement. “It is a gentleman’s greeting to a lady.”
    Stiff and awkward, Onuric attempted to mimic Edric’s demonstration, giving a deep bow while bringing Aiva’s hand to his lips. It was less than graceful in comparison to the number of other men who had bestowed the same greeting upon her over the years, but it was a valiant try. She had to give him credit for making an effort at their customs. From her lessons Aiva knew the Ovatai to regard greetings in a drastically different way than any other culture. Hands were not generally shown to one another upon initial contact, and if the wrong one was raised in a hasty manner, it could be misunderstood as a threat. Aiva’s knowledge of their practices stretched little beyond the basics. She feared ever having need to travel to their lands. In her ignorance, she could only imagine that her first visit would be her last, ending up in pieces at the feet of some random warrior.
    Becoming aware once again of her rigidness, Aiva tried to relax, smiling her most charming smile at Onuric, silently applauding him with her eyes for his successful efforts. At her approval, he released his hold on her, immediately stepping back to stand at his father’s side.
    “Our thanks. Your daughter is lovely, Your Majesty,” Okivra nodded to Thade. “Does she fight like her