The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Two: Beyond the Veil by Melissa Collins Page A

than take up space in the royal palace. “If the heir is so important, then why did grandmother not arrange your marriage? Or your brother’s?”
    Thade raised his hand to silence her at the topic of his late brother being raised. “Have some respect for the deceased. There is no need to shout.”
    “The volume which I speak does not change my question.”
    “Then think over your inquiry for a moment and use some sense,” Thade sighed. “You know the customs of our people well enough to know that the marriage of a son is far more complicated than that of a daughter. I do not speak of this to upset you, Aiva. But you need to keep it in mind. Your mother and I have been trying to allow you the choice but you show no interest in the men at court. All I ask is to see you try. There is no harm in speaking with the boys your age. Anything which will show progress toward a decision.”
    Shoulders bowed forward in dejection, she nodded her head, understanding what her father was trying to say. She felt guilty for having brought up the death of her uncle. At times she wondered if her mouth and her brain were against one another. “I am sorry, Father,” she whispered, shaking her head, embarrassed by her behavior. “I promise – I am trying. It is not easy. You must know that.”
    “Love is never easy. And marriage is less so.” Thade glanced over to the throne where Leyna was seated, his eyes brightening somewhat at the sight of his wife, their gazes meeting, smiling at each other as if in silent communication. “Your mother and I were lucky, but it took a great deal to reach our current happiness. My hope is that you will require less hardship to discover someone who makes you feel the way I do whenever I see her.”
    “Then I should not waste time which could be spent meeting the young men in attendance this evening.” Aiva tried to smile but it was more difficult than she remembered. Her confidence was slipping. There was more riding on her little game of revenge against Callum than she’d realized before. If her parents saw her mingling with the men, it would give them hope. The only downside was her guilt. She’d promised her father that she was trying to find a husband, though in truth she’d given it very little thought. Maybe tonight was the time to start. To make her promise to the King less empty. Besides, how difficult could it be to talk to the men? With any luck, she could be surprised to discover one of them to be tolerable.
    Thade gave a slight nod, stepping away to place distance between them again. “Have fun, Aiva,” he added with a smile.
    Fun. Yes, that was what she wanted. The ballroom was her playground. Turning away from her father, she tried to regain her composure, pushing aside the disheartening conversation. There was no need for her to be self-conscious. She was the Crown Princess. None of the men in the room would dare decline an invitation to talk or dance. Several had already caught her attention. Perhaps one of them would be capable of retaining her interest up close.
    The shoulder-length brown hair and soft green eyes of Calie’s beloved Kaemin were among them. He wore the formal jacket of his military uniform, black and gold suiting his fair skin and well-built physique. At his side was another gentleman in similar attire, unfamiliar to Aiva, though intriguing. A bright flash of his rich maroon eyes drew Aiva in, catching his gaze from across the crowded room. His black hair was long and pulled back away from his face, the strong features of his nose and chin prominent. Gracefully she made her way over to Kaemin’s side, determined to acquire an introduction.
    “Your Highness,” Kaemin bowed, taking her hand to kiss the back of it with a more ostentatious display than that of Edric and Onuric. “My friend here was just telling me of the misfortune he’s suffered of never making your acquaintance. How serendipitous your arrival is.”
    “And who might this friend of yours