The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Two: Beyond the Veil Read Free Page A

since the lich Arcastus and his men were defeated. Every year on that date the military put on a display of sport for the royal family, followed by one of the most prestigious balls in the world. The King and Queen of the neighboring island of Mialan were always in attendance, while occasionally the event would be graced with the presence of the Ovatai Chief Okivra, though he was not a very sociable man.
    The only part of the event which Aiva looked forward to was the arrival of several friends whom she only had the pleasure of seeing a few times throughout the year. Her cousin, the Royal Consul’s daughter, Jaslyn Diah, was one of her dearest friends and confidants, next to General Cadell’s youngest daughter Calie. Aiva feared the Consul might not be in attendance at the celebration this evening due to his wife’s delicate condition, expecting another child in the next few months. It wouldn’t be the same without Jaslyn there. She could only hope the Consul’s wife would feel up to the visit.
    “Prince Edric will be at the festivities, I hope?”
    Aiva closed the door, making sure the lock was secured, a soft laugh escaping her lips at the question. “Calie, you should not worry about my brother so much. I thought Kaemin Strethil was courting you currently. Has something changed that I am not aware of?”
    “No, but Lord Kaemin is not the prince. A girl cannot help but dream,” Calie blushed, pressing her palms against her cheeks to hide their pink tint. “What about you, Aiva? Do you have anyone for your hand at the ball this evening? Herryk Tercsin, perhaps? He is usually quite dashing.”
    “He is also very much infatuated with my sister,” Aiva rolled her eyes at the thought. Her sister Shaelyn had only just recently turned twenty-five and since then had become quite a favorite of the men at court. Most specifically, she had caught the attention of a young man, Herryk, the son of General Cadell’s Commander, Zander Tercsin. Herryk was a handsome man, Aiva didn’t argue the fact, but he was also a bit of a romantic; and Shaelyn was almost as obsessed with him as he was with her. Whenever she heard the name Herryk she would swoon in one of the worst displays Aiva had ever witnessed. It disgusted her to even think about it.
    Romance was something better left to her younger siblings. As the eldest daughter, Aiva had more responsibilities now that she was out amongst society. There was hardly time for games with boys and flirting. She was constantly in training for the day she would take over the throne and since her mother had given birth to the twins, their care had also been a part of her daily routine. The duties were time-consuming enough without adding frivolous notions of love to her already strained mind. Most times she didn’t take issue with the busy schedule. Tonight, however, she was pleased to think that the twins would be in the care of Lady Faustine, not yet old enough to participate in the celebration.
    Calie watched her curiously, trying to read the expression on her face. “There must be someone you hope to dance with tonight. Those boys we passed in the hall looked very interested.”
    “I am the Crown Princess of the Levadis family. Of course they are interested. That does not mean they liked anything other than my title,” she sighed, flopping down on the sofa in the sitting room with a significant lack of grace. “Honestly, Calie. Men are frustrating. I am beginning to think I may never marry.”
    “You are only thirty-one. There is plenty of time to find the right man.”
    “Not for me. Do you have any idea the pressure I deal with in finding a suitable match? My grandmother,” Aiva turned her gaze heavenward. The thought of her alone was enough to make Aiva want to scream. “She is constantly reminding me of what happened to her daughters and how I should already be married and providing children to secure the Levadis line. I think she suffers from paranoia that she will die and