Chapter 15 Callan
CHAPTER 15
CALLAN
“ Y ou are sure you are ready for this?” Callan asked, glancing sidelong at Tava.
She sat beside him in a carriage as it made its way to the castle. They had decided this would be the best way to arrive and make their story look convincing. He would tell his father and the others that he simply hadn’t been able to wait to see her as soon as he arrived back in Baylorin, and she had accompanied him to the castle to see her father.
“I do not think it matters much if I am ready or not, your Highness,” Tava replied, her hands folded and resting in her lap, ever the Lady.
Callan drummed his ?ngers against his thigh, his knee bouncing with nerves. “If it is to be believed we are courting, you really do need to call me Callan instead of your Highness.”
“Noted.”
“And we should probably establish some … boundaries or something,” he added.
“Boundaries?” she asked, turning to face him in confusion.
“Yes, boundaries. What is acceptable to you? What makes you uncomfortable? If we are courting, it will be expected that we are at least somewhat affectionate with each other, I suppose,” he answered, his ?ngers drumming on his ?dgeting leg once more. He turned to look out the window. They were only a few blocks from the castle now.
“Hmm,” she mused. “I suppose hand-holding, whispering sweet nothings, and soft kisses to the hand and cheek would be accept able, but perhaps we keep the more passionate displays for when we are alone?”
Callan’s head whipped back around, his eyes wide. But when they landed on Tava, he found a small smile gracing her lips and a teasing glimmer in her eyes. Her hand landed gently on his knee, ceasing the incessant bouncing. “Relax, Callan. I was raised in this society, just as you were. I know what will be expected of us. I know how to play a part.”
“I know,” he murmured back, his eyes ?xed on her hand still resting on his knee. “This is just … dangerous. I do not feel right letting you risk your safety for me.”
“I have been at risk since the moment I helped Drake and Cassius bring Scarlett into our home over a year ago, Callan,” she said softly. “I am at risk each time I sneak away to that warehouse to care for children or bring you news.” She pulled her ?ngers from his knee, and he instantly felt the loss of heat from her hand. She grasped the spirit amulet at her neck, sliding the three interlocked circles back and forth along the chain, her eyes going to the window.
Callan ran a hand through his hair. “I know you can handle this, Tava,” he said. “I watched you with Veda at that dinner.” She slowly brought her eyes back to him as he spoke. “But I would feel better about this whole situation if we have some sort of signal or sign that you use if you are uncomfortable or feeling unsafe.”
“All right, Callan,” she answered with a small nod of her head. “If that will ease your nerves.”
“It will,” he con?rmed, forcing his knee to still once more when he realized he’d started bouncing it again.
“If I am uncomfortable or would like to end our arrangement, I will make a comment about how much I love hot summer days.”
“How is that a signal?” he asked in confusion.
“Because I hate summer,” she answered with a note of disgust, and an unexpected chuckle burst from Callan at just how passionately she felt about a season. “The only person who would ?nd my comment out of character for me is Drake. He will understand the signal without needing to be told.”
“So you prefer the winter months, then?” Callan asked, as the carriage began its trek up the long drive from the castle gates.
“Very much so,” she con?rmed, still ?ddling with the amulet at her neck. It was the only sign she was showing of her own nerves.
He brought his hand to her elbow, and she stilled at his touch, meeting his eyes once more. “Thank you for this, Tava,” he said softly. “You did not have to do this.”
“Yes, I did,” she answered, her voice quiet, almost a whisper. “I love Windonelle, and if my father is part of something that is jeopardizing our kingdom, hurting innocent children …” She trailed off, her lips pressing into a thin line.
Callan waited for her to go on, but she never did, and a moment later, they were pulling to a stop in front of the castle. The carriage door opened, Finn’s face appearing. “Are you ready for this?”
“As ready as we can be,” Callan answered, moving to step out of the coach. His boots crunched on the cobblestones, and he looked up the steps to ?nd Mikale Lairwood himself waiting for him. He had a wide smile on his face that, up until now, Callan had always thought was sincere. I guess we’d see how well he maintained that farce when Tava stood beside him.
Tearing his eyes from Mikale, he turned back to the door, holding up his hand to help Tava out of the carriage. Delicate ?ngers landed in his palm, and his own wrapped around them, squeezing gently as she descended the two small steps to the ground. She gave him a shy smile, already playing the part, and maneuvered her ?ngers so they intertwined with his.
“Mikale is waiting for us,” Callan murmured, his tone tense.
“I am well aware, Callan,” she answered, not a trace of nerves or unease to be found in her voice. “Take a breath, tuck my hair behind my ear, and when you are ready, lead me up the steps.”
Callan studied her for a moment, taking in her fierce determination, before he did just what she said. He took a deep breath, bracing himself to play this role, before he reached up and tucked a piece of golden hair behind her ear, letting his fingers brush along her jaw slightly. Her smile softened a touch, and he turned to face what was waiting for them.
Mikale watched them the entire way, his smile never faltering. When they were at the last few steps, he bowed as he said, “-Welcome home, your Highness. We are very glad to have you back.”
“It is good to be home,” Callan answered, pulling Tava forward gently.
“Lady Tava,” Mikale said with a small nod of his head. “What an unexpected surprise this evening.”
“It seems the night is full of those,” Tava replied. “Callan surprised me at my home. I did not know he was returning today.” She glanced up at Callan from beneath her lashes.
“Callan,” Mikale repeated slowly, his smile seeming more forced as he noted Tava using his name so casually. “You stopped at the Tyndell manor before returning home?”
“I did,” Callan con?rmed, moving forward and brushing past Mikale. The doors were opened for them, and he breathed a deep sigh at being home. Everything might be going to hell here, but he was still happy to be home, back where he belonged. Where ?re magic and shadows didn’t lurk around every damn corner. He was fairly certain he’d rather face Mikale and whatever magic a Maraan Lord possessed, than have to live amongst Scarlett, Sorin, and the Fire Court another day.
“Everyone is gathered in the dining hall,” Mikale was saying. “A small feast has been prepared to dine over while you tell everyone what you have been up to.”
The implication was subtle, but there. His father would be demanding an explanation for his prolonged absence. Finn and Sloan’s footsteps sounded behind them as they rounded a corner. He could hear talking, and he heard Eva’s laughter. The doors were opened, and he had taken all of two steps into the hall when Eva squealed, damn near tripping over her skirts as she ran to Callan, leaping into his arms.
“Hello, Eva,” he said warmly into her light brown hair.
“I missed you so much, Callan,” she replied, her small arms wrapping around his neck.
“I missed you, too,” he answered, lowering her back to her feet. His mother was standing there, waiting for him, and he stepped forward, pressing a kiss to her cheek. “Hello, Mother.”
Queen Meredith pushed up on to her toes to wrap Callan in a hug. “Thank the gods you are ?nally home,” she said, smoothing her hand down the arms of his tunic as she pulled back. “Although you look dreadful. Where have you been sleeping? Shacks along the road?” She laughed at her own joke, and Callan forced a chuckle. If she only knew he’d been sleeping in a rundown warehouse for the last few weeks.
“The downfall of traveling on horseback for days on end, I am afraid,” he answered, glancing around the room at the rest of those present. His father was sitting at the head of the table. He hadn’t bothered to rise to greet him. He had a gold chalice in his hand, his eyes narrowed slightly at Callan. Lord Tyndell was here, along with Drake. Lord Lairwood stood next to his father, watching everything with interest.
“Your Highness, how lovely to have you home once more.”
Her voice made the hair on the back of his neck stand on end, and he turned to ?nd Lady Veda a few feet away. She wore a deep blue gown cinched so tightly around her waist he truly wondered how she could breathe. Her brown hair was woven into an intricate coronet atop her head.
“Lady Veda, it is nice to see you,” he said, trying to keep his tone neutral. He glanced over his shoulder to ?nd Tava murmuring something to Drake, whose eyes kept bouncing to him, then back to his sister.
“Come and sit, Callan,” his father called from the table, his deep tone commanding. “We have much to discuss.”
“Of course, Father,” Callan said, turning and extending a hand to Tava. She somehow made her cheeks ?ush slightly as she stepped to his side, and he placed a hand on her lower back to guide her towards the seats. He rounded the table, stopping at his chair directly to his father’s right. Lord Lairwood usually sat on the other side of Callan, but he was already a seat farther down the table, leaving a chair between them. He pulled the chair out, motioning for Tava to sit.
“Callan, I couldn’t possibly,” she said softly, shaking her head slightly, her eyes going to the ?oor.
“Yes, Veda had requested to sit next to you tonight,” Mikale cut in. “She is eager to hear tales of your travels.”
“And I will be delighted to share them,” Callan replied. “But she will be able to hear them just as well from another seat. Lady Tava will sit next to me.”
“Why did my daughter arrive at the castle with you, your Highness?” Lord Tyndell asked, taking a seat down the table between Eva and Drake. Tava glanced at Callan demurely again while she lowered herself into the seat, and Callan sank into his own chair. He gave her a soft smile, his eyes ?xed on hers when he answered, “I simply could not wait to see her when I arrived home.”
“You could not wait to see her ?” Veda demanded harshly, and heads turned in her direction. The look of disdain was quickly wiped from her face, and a pinched sort of smile appeared on her lips. “I mean, I did not realize you and Lady Tava were … close.”
Callan reached for Tava’s hand, bringing it up and pressing his lips to the back of it. “There is something to be said for exchanging letters and getting to know each other via ink and paper rather than monitored conversations and touches.”
Tava’s cheeks darkened further, and he had to wonder if that was all a complete farce. He kept her hand in his when he brought his gaze back to Veda. Her mouth was slightly agape in obvious shock as she stood frozen in place.
Mikale cleared his throat from down the table. “When did all of this … develop?”
Callan released Tava’s hand to pour her a glass of wine as he said, “Interestingly enough, the evening of your engagement dinner to Miss Monrhoe. Where is she, by the way? I thought she would be with you.”
Tava stiffened beside him. They had discussed how to spin their relationship, but bringing Scarlett into the conversation had never been brought up. She glanced at her brother across the table, taking the wine glass when Callan extended it to her.
“Our wedding was unfortunately delayed,” Mikale said smoothly. “Her illness took a turn for the worse, and she is away seeking a treatment that will hopefully cure her of having to rely on that dreadful tonic.”
“That would be wonderful,” Tava cut in, taking a sip of her wine. “I do hope she ?nds what she’s looking for on her travels.”
Mikale’s gaze slid to her, and the look he gave her had Callan tensing. He shot a look at Drake, who was glaring at Mikale from across the table.
“Do you mean to tell me that you have ?nally found someone, Callan?” his mother asked, her voice ?lled with hope. His mother had been trying to set him up with court Ladies for the last three years, constantly giving him lists of potential brides that would make for suitable partners. Before he could respond, she had turned to his father. “Isn’t this wonderful, Theo?”
King Theodore was studying Callan closely, his chalice still in his hand, swirling the contents. “It will be wonderful news if he tells me they are betrothed,” he ?nally answered.
“What?” Callan balked, his eyes going wide. Drake’s glass landed on the table a little harder than necessary, causing a slight thunking sound, and Tava had inhaled sharply.
“There was an agreement made,” Mikale interjected, his ?st slamming onto the table.
“Calm yourself, Mikale,” Lord Tyndell chided from across the table. “I am going to assume they are not betrothed considering Tava is my daughter , and I was not asked for her hand.”
“How could he when he has been off doing the gods-know-what all over the damn continent?” his father said tightly.
“I know you have questions about where I was and what I have been doing,” Callan started, “but perhaps this can be discussed tomorrow, and not the moment I have returned.”
“This will be discussed tonight, Callan,” his father said, his deep voice rising, and his chalice banging down onto the table, wine sloshing over the side. “You have been gone for months, neglecting your responsibilities. I received correspondence once a week if I was lucky, and I still have no godsdamn idea what the fuck you were off doing!”
“Theodore!” his mother exclaimed. “Mind your tongue at the dinner table.”
“Perhaps the women should take their leave so this can be discussed without your sensitivity then,” the king snapped.
“Not until after we have eaten, Theo,” his mother replied curtly, reaching for her own alcohol. “I have not seen my son in months. I will certainly be eating dinner with him and the Lady he is courting.”
Silence wrought with thick tension settled in the room as servants entered with the ?rst course of the evening. While plates were being placed in front of them, Callan felt a soft touch on his arm, and he turned to ?nd Tava looking up at him. Her poise was perfect, but he could see the smallest glimmer of concern in her eyes. He gave her a tight smile, trying to reassure her, but he didn’t know how this was going to play out. He’d thought his father would be paci?ed to simply know he was courting someone, but as he glanced at him from the corner of his eye, he knew that was not going to be the case. The king was livid.
Callan had only eaten a few spoonfuls of soup when Veda set her spoon down as she said into the tense quiet, “I am sorry to bring this back up again right now, but what exactly is happening here?”
Her eyes were narrowed on Tava, and Callan had the sudden urge to push Tava behind him and shield her from Veda’s death glare. Tava, however, sat up a little straighter, dabbing at her mouth with her napkin before she said, “I really should be thanking you and Mikale for this actually.”
“What?” Veda asked, her lips pursing.
“If it had not been for that engagement dinner for Mikale and Scarlett, this may have never happened. So really …” She glanced at Callan, giving him a shy smile before turning back to Veda and saying, “This is all because of you.”
Callan had to ?ght the grin at the real meaning of those words, but he saw them hit home as Veda’s features twisted into wrath. She had dark eyes naturally, but they seemed to go completely black as she stared back at Tava.
“I do not understand what you mean,” Mikale ground out, and Tava leaned around Lord Lairwood to square off with Mikale now, too. Lord Lairwood was oddly silent, and Callan didn’t know what to make of that. One would think he would be more upset about his daughter’s chance at the throne being jeopardized, but he was watching his children warily, eating his soup.
“After you had to help Scarlett to her room that night, my brother was called away on some other business. Callan did not want me riding home alone. He insisted I ride with him in his carriage to make sure I arrived home safely. Quite silly of him, really, but who am I to deny a prince?”
She shrugged innocently, picking up her wine glass. “We had pleasant conversation and discovered a common love of books and preferring quiet over the bustle of daily life. Of course, he had to leave unexpectedly the next day, and I did not think anything of our time together, until his ?rst letter arrived a week later. As more and more letters were exchanged, things just … happened.”
She looked back at Callan, another smile gracing her lips. Her story had been so smooth, as if she’d rehearsed it for months, not merely discussed it with him a few hours ago.
“One could almost say it was fate,” he added, picking up his own wine glass.
“One could say destiny is a ?ckle thing,” she said with a small smile, echoing the Shifter’s words from earlier that day. She was witty, this quiet, docile Lady.
“Did you know of this?” Lord Tyndell demanded, his attention ?xed on Drake.
“I had no idea, Father,” Drake answered, pushing his empty soup bowl back from him. “But I trust you are as excited as I am. I think they make a lovely match.”
“Of course he is excited,” Queen Meredith tittered, seemingly oblivious to the obvious tension around her, a servant re?lling her chalice with wine. “His daughter is going to be the queen someday.”
“It is settled then,” the king said from the head of the table. “We can make an announcement ?rst thing tomorrow.”
“What? No,” Callan said, unable to believe they were somehow back on him becoming engaged this very night.
“Enough!” his father barked, his ?st slamming on to the table again. He lifted a ?nger, pointing it at Callan. “You have a responsibility to this kingdom, Callan.”
“I know that!” Callan retorted, his own voice rising.
“Do you? Because the people of Windonelle just saw their Crown Prince disappear for months. We had to make up stories about your extended absence. How am I supposed to entrust you with the throne when you behave this way?”
“I can explain—”
“And you will,” the king sneered. “But you will also start ful?lling your duties to this kingdom, and you will begin by taking a wife.”
“Father, please,” Callan said, gritting his teeth. “Let’s discuss this further.”
“Yes, let’s discuss this further,” Mikale ground out. “There was an agreement made regarding this matter.”
“That was before my son returned with a potential bride,” the king answered, picking up his soup spoon again.
“That voids your word?” Mikale demanded.
“Watch it, young Lord,” the king snarled.
“Forgive me, your Majesty,” Mikale said, his tone tight with restraint. “I am simply trying to understand to be better prepared to serve Callan as his Hand.”
“A marriage will be much smoother if he has a say in the bride, Mikale,” his father replied dismissively, reaching for a piece of bread from the basket before him. “Him returning already courting is far better than forcing him into a union.”
“But you are forcing me into a union,” Callan cut in.
“Would you rather I choose your bride then, Prince?” the king asked, his eyes cutting to him. “Would you rather we give you a princess for political purposes and power plays? Or you would like to continue courting the young woman sitting beside you?”
“I would like to continue courting her, yes, but that does not mean I am ready to ask for her hand,” Callan countered.
“I am giving you the choice of who, not the choice of when,” the king said. “An announcement will be made tomorrow morning either way. It is time to grow up, Callan. It is time to take your place in this kingdom.”
Servants were silently clearing away dishes, preparing to bring out the next course, but Callan couldn’t eat even if he’d wanted to. Asking Tava to pretend to be courting was one thing, but to ask this of her? They could have come up with a simple enough way to end a courtship, but an engagement?
“Balam, do something,” Veda hissed from down the table, and her father’s eyes snapped to her.
“Mind your manners, Veda,” Lord Lairwood reprimanded. “You were raised better. You know your place.”
“How are you not more upset by this?” Mikale demanded.
“I am sorry to interrupt, but I am failing to understand why Lord Mikale and Lady Veda are so upset by this demand,” Tava cut in, her tone calm and collected, as though this wasn’t turning into a colossal disaster. “It does not affect them nearly as much as it does myself and Prince Callan. Unless I am missing something?”
Callan caught a tiny smirk ?it across Drake’s face across the table before he quickly schooled his features back under control.
“You know damn well why we are upset,” Veda spat, jabbing a ?nger in Tava’s direction.
“Veda,” Lord Lairwood admonished again. “Stop this nonsense at once, or you will be removed from this table.”
“But Father—”
“Victor, are you concerned about the change of plans?” the king asked, as plates of meat and vegetables were placed in front of them. “Is there anything we need to discuss?”
“Of course not, your Majesty,” Lord Lairwood replied, glaring at his daughter across the table. “I think your comments were wise regarding this union going smoother if Prince Callan has a say in the bride. He clearly already has an established relationship with Lady Tava, and her upbringing and bloodline are certainly suitable for the role of queen. A king happy in his marriage is better for the kingdom than one forced to endure the company of a woman he does not want.”
“Father—” Veda tried again, but she was cut off by the king once more. “And you, Balam? Do you have an issue with your daughter becoming betrothed to Callan?”
A pointed smile spread across Lord Tyndell’s face as he lifted his chalice. “It would be an honor,” he said tightly.
Because what else could he say, Callan realized. It was not as if he could show how furious this made him. Why would a Lord be upset by his daughter being set on a path to become a queen? That was what every Lord dreamed of if they had a daughter. Saying he did not agree with this would open him up to more questions, and he clearly needed to regroup.
“Splendid,” the king said tersely. “This matter is settled then, and there will be no more discussion of it this evening.”
“That is it?” Callan demanded, his palms ?attening on the table before him.
“Was I unclear with my wording, boy?” his father asked, his eyes narrowing on him.
Callan forced himself to bite his tongue on everything he wanted to say. Nothing he said right now was going to change his father’s mind. That much was clear.
“No, sir,” he answered tightly, pushing his chair back from the table. “But I do need a moment. Excuse me.” He stood, striding for the doors, Finn and Sloan meeting his gaze with grim expressions.
“Sit back down, Callan,” his father commanded, but another chair scraping sounded in the room. “You, too, Lady Tava.”
“With all due respect, your Majesty, if you are going to force this union on us before we are ready, I am to be his wife, and it will be my duty to comfort him when he is upset. You will not keep me from going to him now, and you can give us a minute to adjust to the sudden demands placed upon us,” Tava replied, strong and con?dent, her footsteps sounding as she made her way to him.
“Tava!” Lord Tyndell reprimanded.
But she didn’t even glance at her father as she came to his side, slipping her arm around his. She pressed up on her tiptoes so she could speak into his ear. “Take me somewhere we can talk without prying ears, Callan.”
Callan nodded, sliding his arm from hers to the small of her back. He led her up a set of stairs and down the hall where his rooms were at the end of it. He glanced at Finn, who nodded once, understanding the silent order that no one was to come near the door.
Pushing the door open, he stepped to the side to let Tava pass, following her in. He crossed to a window, pushing it open to feel the cold, winter air on his face, cooling his skin.
“That entire conversation I was waiting for you to comment about hot summer days,” Callan said grimly, watching the snow fall, ?akes glistening in the moonlight.
“Why? Those words are to be said when I want out or do not feel safe,” she replied.
“How are you so calm about this?” Callan asked, running his hands through his hair.
“I am terri?ed, Callan,” Tava answered. “You do not get brought into Scarlett’s world of darkness without learning how to face monsters, but I am still not her. I am not as fearless as she is, even if I have learned how to keep my fear from showing.”
“Perhaps if she were less fearless, things would be different. Perhaps if she feared anything, things would be different.”
“She has fears.”
“Do not defend her to me. Not when this is all because of her. Not when she is one of the monsters you speak of. She is what they want.”
“I am not trying to defend her, Callan,” Tava replied. “I am merely saying that, while she may be one of the monsters, she does not hide what she is. Not like they do.”
“She wore so many masks. How could I possibly know what was real and what wasn’t?” Callan retorted.
“She wears masks, yes, but knowing her, I can only assume she also gave you glimpses beyond them a time or two,” Tava said gently.
Callan snorted bitterly. “I guess,” he said, feeling Tava come up beside him. “She told me, over and over, I was not made for her darkness. That I was made to be in the light.” Tava didn’t say anything, letting him gather his thoughts. “If I had listened, perhaps we would not be in this mess.”
“I think you and Scarlett meeting was necessary, even if it was brutal,” Tava said softly. “We will need her.”
“I do not need her ,” Callan snapped. Tava took a step back from him, her hand coming to her spirit amulet, her ?ngers twisting in the chain. “I am sorry,” he said, turning to face the woman risking everything for … what? He didn’t even know any more.
“No need to apologize.”
“I certainly do need to apologize,” he sighed. “I am taking things out on you that are not your fault.”
“You are hurting, Callan,” she said, her arms crossing and hands gripping her upper arms as she stepped towards the window. “Grief makes us say and do uncharacteristic things.”
“I am not grieving anything,” he said, trying to keep the bite from his tone.
Tava gave him a quick glance with a sad smile, but she didn’t try to change his mind. Instead, she said, “My father is worried.”
“That … is not how I gathered he was feeling,” Callan replied, stepping to her side, his hands sliding into his pockets.
“No,” she conceded, her head tilting to the side a little, golden hair slipping over her shoulder. “If you do not know what to look for, you would not know he is concerned.”
“Concerned because of what my father is demanding?” Callan asked curiously.
Her lips pursed before she said, “I think it is more so concern for how their plans are being altered and affected. Not so much concern for me or our apparent engagement.”
“Tava,” Callan said, reaching for her elbow and gently turning her to face him. “If you do not want to do this, if you want an out, I understand. Finn and Sloan can get you out of here discreetly. I can try to talk to my father again …”
Another soft, sad smile lifted on her lips, making him trail off.
“While I was not anticipating this turn of events, our plan is working, Callan,” she said. “My father and Mikale are nervous.”
Nervous? Furious maybe, but he wasn’t sure he’d say they were nervous. If anything, he felt as though they’d given them more of a reason to come after them. The way Veda had glared at Tava …
“I do not know that nervous is the right way to describe how they are feeling, Tava,” he ventured.
“Their tempers may have been on display this evening, but they are shaken, Callan,” she answered, turning back to the window, stretching a hand out over the sill into the night and letting ?akes gather in her palm. They instantly melted against her warm skin.
“Can you explain why you think that?”
“My entire life I have been pushed to the outer edges of my father’s world,” she said with a slight shrug. “You see a lot of things when you are on the fringes of society. You watch people. You learn to read people, especially those you are closest to. When you are seen as quiet and meek, people tend to assume you are nothing to worry about.” She shrugged again, as if everything she had just said was not a big deal.
But she’d just con?rmed his earlier suspicions. The things she knew were more than just things that could ruin a person socially. She knew the small tells that betray when someone was lying. When someone was anxious. She knew their ticks, the little mannerisms, the slight facial expressions.
And that was arguably more dangerous than any secret.
“They want Veda at your side,” she continued, when he didn’t say anything. “For what reason? I do not know. I can only assume it is because she is Mikale’s sister. They must think that if she were queen, she would have more control over the kingdom.”
“What do they want control over Windonelle for? I thought they wanted Scarlett.”
Ocean blue eyes settled back on his. “That is the question, isn’t it?”