Queen of Ice and Ruin

Chapter Eight

Four days later, we received word that the King of Ice was dead. Corrin and Janea immediately began preparing to leave for the funeral and coronation, which were set to happen in only two days. A week later, the Realm of Trees would host a celebration for the new Queen of Ice. Corrin, true to his word, told Janea that I will be joining them in Ebren for this event.

"Absolutely not!" Janea protested.

My heart sank. I was to travel to Ebren in order to meet with the Oracle, in hopes that she would be able to answer some of our questions. According to Corrin, the Oracle would be our best chance of uncovering information about myself and the prophecy.

"I wasn't asking," Corrin responded. "I was letting you know what the plan is."

Janea shook her head furiously, her braid whipping from side to side. "It's too dangerous, Corrin. If she's found out..."

"She won't be," Telos interrupted. "I will take her myself, and ensure that she is kept safe."

"No," Corrin stated. "I need you to stay here and patrol the forest. I will be personally escorting Annalise to Ebren."

Wide-eyed, Janea gaped at Corrin. "You have to be joking! Father wants us both to go to Ebren immediately after the coronation, remember?"

Corrin rolled his eyes. "Just because he wants it doesn't mean I have no choice. I'll make up some excuse to return to Almyst, and bring Annalise with me when I come to Ebren."

"Excuse me," I said. We were having this discussion in the sitting room, and I was sitting off to the side, listening in to the conversation. "Where am I supposed to stay in Ebren where no one will find me? And how am I supposed to meet the Oracle if I have to stay hidden?"

Janea raised her eyebrows at Corrin, as if to say, See? I'm right.

"I have some ideas," Corrin answered, ignoring his sister. "I still have to iron out some details, but I am going to plan to have us stay in my house just outside the city. You too, Janea. I'll bring servants from this house to keep anyone else from finding out about Annalise. As for the Oracle, I will request that she visit us one evening."

"You think the Oracle would come to your house?" I asked.

He nodded his head in response. "We have a good relationship already, and I can pretend to be inviting her to reevaluate my marriage to Viri."

Corrin has a good relationship with the Oracle? Even though she wouldn't bless his marriage? It felt like I would never understand how Corrin thought.

Janea wrinkled her nose. "Is Viri staying with us too?"

"Of course," Corrin replied, as though it was never a question at all. "She is my fiancée, after all."

"I still can't believe you told her about Annalise," Janea muttered in response.

"I don't like this plan," Telos argued. "I should come with Annalise. She needs protecting. I could stay with her at the house while you are at the palace-"

"No," Corrin said strongly. I was taken aback, unaccustomed to hearing Corrin be so forceful. "We still don't know if there are dangers lurking in these woods. As your prince, I am commanding you to stay here and protect Almyst, and to continue investigating the forest to see if you can learn new information about Annalise's appearance."

Telos, glowering, bowed his head. "Yes, your highness." He turned and swiftly exited the room.

Corrin sighed and rubbed his temples. "We have no protocol on how to handle a mortal suddenly appearing in our realm. Excuse me if I have to make some unorthodox decisions to figure this out."