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

be?” she asked coyly. Retracting her hand from Kaemin, she offered it to the man at his side, batting her lashes at him playfully. The man accepted, eager yet calm, his kiss lingering a bit longer than she was used to. He looked hypnotized by her. Distracted from everything else in the room.
    “Princess, I am honored to introduce you to Lord Dacian Ellis.”
    The man winked at Aiva, releasing his hold on her hand to deepen his bow. “Ah, no formality is necessary. The Princess may call me Dacian.”
    “Dacian Ellis?” Aiva mused. The name rang no bells. He was unknown to her. Though that held no surprise, given the disinterest she’d had in men of military standing, and his wardrobe gave no question of his choice in profession. “I regret to say I have never heard of you.”
    “Dacian has been stationed on a ship in the Nahpoa Sea off the coast of Siscal for a few years. A member of Commander Zerne’s unit.”
    Aiva tensed at the mention of the name. “Zerne?” she raised her brow, inquisitively glancing over to Kaemin. “Callum Zerne?”
    “What other would there be, other than his father?” Kaemin chuckled.
    She averted her eyes, not wanting to let either of the two men see her discomfort. Commander? Since when had Callum gained any such rank in the military? And without any mention of it from anyone in her family. Surely Edric was informed of the promotion. “Forgive me,” she stated, quickly regaining her steady demeanor. “I assumed you referred to Callum, though I was unaware of his achieving the title. That is a rather prestigious position.”
    Dacian nodded in agreement. “Yes. One he’s held for several years now. Rumor has it that he was called back to Tanispa to be presented with a new title, however. After the bravery he exhibited against the Luquarrian raiders, we expect him to be named Captain before long.”
    “Captain?” Aiva blinked. She didn’t want to believe what she was hearing. “What makes you think that? No one has held that position since the Queen herself during the war against the Ven’shal. It takes more than just a good show to deserve a rank of that degree.”
    “Oh, it wasn’t just a good show.” Kaemin’s smile widened, facing Dacian with a knowing grin. “I wish I could have been there. Dacian might be able to better tell the story.”
    “No, that is quite alright,” she cut them off, her desire for the conversation quickly ebbing away. The idea of her plan was to forget about Callum. So why did it seem like his name was suddenly on everyone’s lips? A cruel joke. “Lord Kaemin, I daresay your arm is quite empty. Where is Calie? I expected her to be at your side.”
    “She is presently in the company of her mother and will be late arriving to the ball. From the sounds of things, Lady Valeska was to attend the celebration this evening, but has since changed her mind. Calie hopes to change it back. Her father was rather disappointed. He has yet to arrive himself.”
    Shaking her head sadly, Aiva felt sorry for General Cadell. She knew how much he loved his wife, though Valeska disliked court to an extreme beyond that which made any sense in Aiva’s mind. For the sake of their children, it seemed rude for her not to attend this evening. Their son had returned after being away for so long and their youngest daughter was on the brink of engagement. “Well, I will have to request the first dance with you, then,” Aiva smiled at Kaemin. Innocently. He was possibly the last man in the room she intended to flirt with, next to Onuric. Even with her devious plan set in motion, there was time to spare in a dance or two with her friend.
    “The first may be all I can spare. Once Calie arrives, she will have every dance of mine thereafter.”
    “I, however, have every one free if the Princess has need of a partner,” Dacian gave a dashing grin. Aiva couldn’t help giggling at his attempts to impress her. He was handsome enough. It was certainly an acceptable thought