38. Queen Ani

As the temple doors closed behind Anis attendants, she embraced Sofringhati. Finally, the day has arrived.

Sofri patted her back. You are cold, my friend. Sofri turned to her scribe. Could you please raise the heat in the braziers, Aria? It is a little chilly in here.

Aria bowed. Of course.

And also move the cushions closer to the heat, Sofri added.

Yes, Supreme Oracle. Aria bowed again and rushed to comply with Sofringhatis commands.

Everywhere else on Anumati, the temperature in the room would have been adjusted automatically, the sensors adjusting the heating or cooling based on its occupants biomarkers, but walking into the Supreme Oracles temple was like stepping hundreds of thousands of years back in time.

The chamber was completely devoid of technology, with the illumination coming from burning sconces attached to the towering columns and the heating from ancient braziers that burned oil and had to be adjusted manually.

Nevertheless, to Ani the temple felt more like home than her own suite of rooms in the palace. Here, amidst the thick, isolating walls and towering columns and carvings of ancient prophecies, Ani could drop the mask of the untouchable monarch for a couple of hours and enjoy the company of her only friend.

Please, sit down, Ani. Sofri pointed to the cushions that Aria had dragged closer to the braziers.

Ani made herself comfortable on the large square pillow and tucked her legs under her. Whenever I am here, I am reminded of our days in the dormitories. We used to sit like this and chat for hours until the headmistress sent us to bed.

Taking a seat on the other cushion, Sofri sighed. I miss those days. Life was simpler when our biggest worry was passing exams. We were so naive.

I miss being that girl. Ani sighed. That being said, I knew even then that I would not be free to choose who I would mate, and that my marriage would be a political alliance. I just did not imagine that I would be chosen by the king. She chuckled. Let alone one day lead a rebellion against him.

You loved him once.

Ani shook her head. I was blinded by his charm, but it did not take me long to realize that what he projected was very different from who he really was. I still admired him for many years, though. He was good for Anumati until he stopped being so.

Sofri canted her head. He was never good to the Kra-ell. Ahn opened your eyes to the injustice done to them.

Tears misted Anis eyes.

Usually, she was very good at masking her emotions, but no one other than Sofri spoke Ahns name anymore, and hearing it said out loud was like a javelin to her heart.

Anis thoughts drifted to Annani, her granddaughter, the living legacy of her lost son, his direct descendant who was hidden away on Earth. The knowledge that Ahns legacy lived on, that his bloodline had not been extinguished, was like an injection of vitality for Ani, an unexpected beacon of light in the darkness.

Would Annani prove to be all that Ani hoped for?

Would she be like Ahn?

Little Ani, Ahn had named his daughter, and according to Aru, Annani bore an uncanny resemblance to Ani. Hopefully, it would not be just skin deep.

So many questions bubbled within her, so many words of guidance she longed to impart.

Ani turned her attention to Aria, the young scribe who was about to become the conduit for a conversation that spanned light years and yet was as instantaneous as a quantum communicator.

I am ready, Aria.

The scribe nodded. I will check with Aru if they are ready as well.

As she waited, Ani allowed her mind to wander through the past, through all the decisions and sacrifices she had made. Her relationship with the Supreme Oracle, Sofringhati, had always been her anchor, providing a safe harbor in the treacherous waters of Anumatis society. But even Sofri, with all her foresight, had been unable to predict the loss of Anis son, not until after the fact.

There was a limit to what an oracle could see, and Ani suspected that the Fates allowed Sofringhati to see only what suited their plans and promoted their agenda.

For now, Annani was alive and well on Earth, but Sofri could not see what the future had in store for her, and that filled Anis heart with fear.

Now that she had found Ahns daughter, the thought of losing her as she had lost Ahn was unbearable, and if she dragged Annani into the rebellion she would be putting her at great risk.

What chance did a goddess with no knowledge of Anumatis intricate politics and power plays have against the Eternal King?

Perhaps it was best to leave her be and not involve her in the resistance. Ani could train her over many years, making sure that Annani knew all there was to know about Anumatis history, social structure, economy, and politics, and bring her home to present to their people only once the Eternal King was eliminated, but not before.

Ani could not bear the thought of losing Annani, and that was even before they had exchanged a single word.