AN: I am very nervous writing this novel. I anticipate it being racier as time goes on, but I haven't gotten there yet. Character development people. Please give me any notes you can think of. I love reading comments or messages to me about my work. I want to improve. Thank-you for giving me your time to read it!

Corrin

Elise, Xander, and I were riding in the carriage to the capital. It was decided last night by King Garon that we would go on ahead to the capital while Camilla, Garon, and Leo went to handle some business in Cheve. Xander wouldn't go into details with me on what was going on in Cheve and I was a little frustrated. Elise even seemed to know, but she wouldn't say anything. Any time it seemed like it might slip, Xander sent a glare in her direction and she immediately changed subjects. Elise was a balm to the tension between my husband and myself. She was chatty and energetic, smiling all the time and asking for me to do activities with her. She almost reminded me a little of Sakura.

I laid my head back against the carriage and closed my eyes, my mind wandering to last night when Xander and I went to our tent.

We stepped into our tent and Xander faced me. He looked like he was about to say something, but he just turned his back to me and started to fiddle with the light that was burning away in our tent.

"Why don't you go ahead and get changed for bed? I will sleep outside tonight," He said gruffly. I felt a little grateful for him giving me privacy but Camilla and Azura's words from earlier still rang in my ears. This wasn't how he was raised.

"Just… Give me a moment to change… I don't want you sleeping outside…" I said softly. Xander turned to look at me in surprise and nodded his head. "Just… turn around so I can get changed."

He gave me his back and I quickly and deftly changed into my night clothing. It was a simple chemise that was white. Nohr had provided all my clothing after we had left Hoshido. I wasn't used to such… revealing night clothing. The chemise was thin, very thin. It was practically see through and the straps were flimsy. I blushed and pulled back the covers on the bedroll and laid inside of it. I pulled he covers up and turned back to Xander.

"I'm finished," I said.

He turned around and proceeded to take off his armor and clothing. He took off his circlet on his head and then his cape. He laid it in the corner of the tent we were in and he then proceeded to take off his armor. He was now just in his black and purple clothing. He removed his shirt and I got a sight of that… extremely muscular chest. My eyes widened. He had scars on his body, I'm assuming from battle. They were white and some tan colored like his body. He moved his neck around and I heard a cracking noise, my eyes rapt on his chest that was rippling with motion. My mouth suddenly felt dry. Xander must have noticed my attention on his body because he smiled.

"See something you like?" he asked sarcastically.

"Uh! Uhm…" I stuttered. I turned away from him to face he opposite side of the tent so he wouldn't see my blush. I heard his laughter and I felt my blush creeping up my neck.

Soon, I felt the covers pulled back from he bedroll and he slipped inside. The bed roll was sizeable, the maids and footmen made it bigger than a normal one, considering there were to be two people in it. I noticed Xander was facing my back and I felt a finger grab the strap of the chemise that was on my shoulder. He toyed with it for a moment, seeming thoughtful.

"This doesn't seem your style," he said with a laugh. I blushed more, sinking lower into the covers. I wanted to flinch away from his touch, but I had to keep reminding myself that this man was either going to make me or break me in my time in Nohr. And this was forever. Better get used to it now.

"It isn't. Your father had Nohr provide all of my clothing," I answered. Xander got quiet and I felt his breath on my shoulder as he spoke his next words.

"Well, I like it," he said grudgingly. I stiffened, not entirely sure what to do. Xander must have felt my stiffness and he pulled his hand away and our bodies weren't touching anymore. The place on my shoulder where his fingers graze felt like it was scorching.

It wasn't long after that that we both fell asleep, and that spot on my shoulder was still tingling as I drifted off.

"We should stop soon and eat some lunch!" Elise said cheerfully. It jerked me out of my thoughts, and I smiled at her. I was beginning to like the Nohrian royal women.

"We will probably stop soon, Laslow, is there anywhere safe we can stop?" Xander called out. Laslow was driving the carriage with Peri, whom I learned was Xander's second retainer. Kaze was on he back of the carriage on the bench on the back with Lenore and another maid there.

"There should be a clearing up ahead soon, milord, maybe ten minutes away. We will stop there," Laslow's voice carried back into the carriage. Elise laughed and clapped her hands, ecstatic at the thought of eating soon.

Fifteen minutes later, we were all out of the carriage and the maid, that I soon learned to be Elise's, was serving us food. It was just some bread and cheese, but it should be enough to hold us over till we stopped for dinner. As we ate, Elise was chattering away about how wonderful Nohr was, and how the dresses that would be made for me would be beautiful. I conversed politely with her and laughed at certain times that she was laughing. She truly was a joy to be around, it was hard to feel any resentment towards someone that had the look out of a child. Our retainers were standing guard, though Elise had offered them some of her own food, they refused, deciding to wait till night time to eat.

Suddenly, I was thrown backwards, Xander had pushed me down onto the grass and his body laid on top of mine. I cried out from the impact of Xander on top of me and felt the full gravity of his weight, this man was heavy, especially with his armor digging into my skin. My hands were splayed across his chest as he came at me in a full-frontal attack. My food was scattered onto the ground and my heart sank at my lost dinner. This wasn't good. What the hell is Xander doing?

"Oh, by the Dragon! Xander!" I heard Elise call out. Xander? She's worried about him? I was the one he was on top of.

Xander pulled himself off me and sat up, then he turned to look around and that's when I saw it. It was an arrow, sticking out of his left shoulder from the back. Someone had aimed for me, and Xander had taken the shot. My heart sank and I felt sick. Someone had tried to kill me. That arrow would have hit me in the heart if it wasn't for Xander pushing me out of the way. Xander helped me to stand up and his eyes searched my face.

"Are you hurt?" He asked gently. It was the softest I had heard him speak to me since I had met him. Something pulled in my chest.

"Yes, I'm fine," I answered back.

"Good. Laslow, come help me get this arrow out, Peri, search the area with… blast what's your name again?" He asked looking at Kaze.

"Kaze," I said softly.

"Yes, Kaze go with Peri and split up and find whoever did this, I want names and I want them captured and questioned. Am I clear?" Peri nodded and Kaze looked to me for instructions, I was his liege after all, not Xander.

"Do what he says, Kaze," I ordered, reinforcing Xander's words. Kaze nodded and disappeared in flash, Peri also ran off into the forest.

Laslow came up to Xander and examined the wound, looking for the best way to pull it out. Xander removed some of his clothing and I was presented with his bare muscled back and chest. My eyes looked down and my cheeks felt flushed, I had no idea why. I heard Laslow muttering something to Xander and I saw Laslow cutting the end with the fliers, careful to not move the arrow anymore. Once the fliers were cut, he began to pull on the end that the arrow head was on. Xander was quiet through the whole ordeal and I knew he had to be in agony. I bit my lip during the process.

Once the arrow was pulled out, Laslow began to sew up the wound. I watched as I saw some blood start to drip out and I went to Xander's side. I knew he had to be hurting, but his face showed no signs of pain, no sign of it doing anything. As soon as Laslow finished sewing up both sides of his wound, he started to bandage him. Elise had begged Xander the whole time to let her heal him with her staff and he refused, telling her she might need it later and to not worry about it. She pouted the whole time, and Xander just smiled indulgently at her.

My husband stood up and looked at me, I gave him a small smile, and then he just dropped to the ground. I cried out and I heard Laslow curse. I went to him and pulled his hand into mine, what had just happened? Why did he drop? It was then I smelled it, it smelled of rotting flesh and it made my nose crinkle in response.

"The arrow, it was poisoned," Came Laslow's voice. I looked at the bandage and noticed it was starting to blacken, and I bit my lip. No, this couldn't be happening. Someone who was trying to kill me, hit Xander instead, and now he was dying. "Elise, get over here, try to heal him with your staff."

Elise quickly went to grab her staff from the carriage and when she came back, Xander's face was starting to pale. She held the staff over his wound, and I could see a light glow coming from the staff. Her face held a look of concentration as she focused and I put my spare hand on Xander's forehead, running my fingers through his blond hair. He was so pale… And he took an arrow for me. My heart wrenched at the thought. This man had just saved my life. But why? What reason would he have to save my life? I shook my head and tried to focus on the scene going on in front of me.

"I can slow the poison, but he is going to need an antidote. Whoever shot that arrow knew what they were doing. The closest place to here that would have an antidote would be Cheve," Elise said, looking at me and then Laslow. I saw Laslow's horrified look.

"Milady, we can't take him to Cheve… the re-" Laslow cut off and cast me a sidelong look. I was now utterly confused on what was going on. What was going on in Cheve that the Nohrian royals and retainers didn't want to tell me? Now I was more concerned and seriously getting pissed off that they weren't telling me anything.

"We have to take him there, we have no antidote here and he needs it within two days," She said firmly to Laslow. He nodded in agreement.

"Milady," Came Kaze's voice. I turned and saw my retainer. He was surveying the scene with his ever-watchful gaze. "I found no one in the forest, no clues either. Whoever did it must have been teleported away or they're really good at hiding their tracks."

"Thank-you Kaze. I appreciate that." I turned to Elise and asked, "Where is Cheve?"

"It's to the south west of here. It will take about three days in the carriage," She said, with a worried look on her face. My heart sank, three days… That's too long. "Unless…" She trailed off.

"Yes?" I asked, looking at her eagerly.

"Well, a rider on a horse holding Xander up might help. We have four horses with our carriage… They can take horse and ride with him to Cheve…" She said trailing off. "I am an adept rider, but I'm not strong enough to hold him up…" I glanced at Laslow. He shook his head and held up his hands.

"I am not a horse person, milady," he said swiftly.

"But I am," came a female voice from the woods. Peri walked up and she put a hand on her hip. "I'm sure Kaze told you, but I couldn't find anyone. What happened to Prince Xander?" Elise quickly filled her in on what had transpired, and a worried look came across her face. "I am not sure if I can manage him alone, he is… rather large."

"I'll go," I said softly. "But I can't hold him either." I thought for a minute. There were four horses. Elise was good with horses and so was Peri. If Xander rode with Peri and I with Elise, we could make it earlier than with the carriage. "Leave the carriage, unhook the horses. Here's the plan.

"We will take two horses to Cheve. Elise and I will ride and Peri and Xander will ride. Kaze and Laslow can stay here till we send reinforcements to help them get to Cheve or to the capital. Elise needs to go with Xander to help slow the poison, and she can help me with the horse as I don't yet know how to ride. We will have to be quick." I said with authority. Being raised a Princess of Hoshido had left me with the ability to command people and take no nonsense from them. I didn't like doing it, but I knew in that moment I had to be firm. Laslow and Peri exchanged glances, I saw Kaze nod and turn to the maids to relay the information.

"Corrin, I'm not sure how quickly we will get there," Elise spoke up, looking worried. I knew my face held a scowl and I shook my head.

"It's our best option. If we send a lone rider ahead then it will take longer for the antidote to arrive, and by then it will be too late. We have to go now," I said again with finality. Laslow finally moved to carry out my orders and Peri was watching me warily.

"Milady, I have something to give to you," Peri spoke with a guarded tone. She stepped to the carriage and at the back she unhooked a latch. The inside of the latch held a large storage unit that had a few boxes. She rummaged through the box and came back with a sword. A golden sword. My golden sword. I stared at her. How had she gotten this? I wasn't allowed anything from Hoshido, but she has my sword. "Lord Xander wished for you to keep your sword. He wasn't intending on giving it to you till you arrived in Nohr, but I felt it was prudent to give it to you now, for protection. I can't keep three of you safe by myself and he claims you have some skill with a blade. Please take it and protect Milady Elise from anything."

I took the sword and nodded at Peri in thanks. Xander brought my sword from home. It was my Yato, a blade that had chosen me. Mother said it was a sword of legend and it was supposed to save the world, how much of that I believed was slim, but it still chose me. I felt its familiar weight in my hand and strapped the sword on my side. I was in a dress again. This time a floor length one that was a tan color. I was in brown boots again, but I was getting frustrated with the constant dresses. I ripped two long slits in the dress so that it rose to my thighs. If I were going to ride a horse, the dress would just get in the way.

I saw Peri looking at me warily, I chose to ignore her at this time. I didn't have time to deal with whatever she was thinking. I had to focus on Xander and getting him an antidote. Elise approached us with two of the horses with reins in her hands. They had no saddles as we came equipped with none. Laslow and Kaze were carrying Xander over to us. Peri mounted a gray horse and the male retainers helped get Xander up on the horse. They put Xander behind Peri and used rope to tie him to her. Elise got up on a black horse with Laslow's help and Kaze came to help me up onto the horse behind her.

I wrapped my arms around Elise's body, she was so tiny that I was almost a head taller than her. Her blond hair brushed against my cheek as I sat behind her. Kaze cleared his throat and the horse nickered at the nose. A calming hushing noise came from the Nohrian Princess while I looked at Kaze.

"Milady, please be safe. It makes me uneasy to see you off without me by you. And…" He looked away before he said his new words. "Watch your back."

I saw Elise cast him an angry glare, but Peri chose to ignore his comments. With a flick of Peri's wrist, they took off in the direction of Cheve. Elise made a noise and our horse surged forwards, following Peri. I yelped out and had to readjust my grip on Elise and we were off to Cheve.

Xander

The first thing I noticed when I remembered anything was that I was sore all over. My whole body hurt, and my head was pounding furiously. My throat was parched, and I felt heaviness on my right side. I groaned, my left hand reaching up to touch my forehead when I heard a moan from my right side. I finally opened my eyes and looked and saw Corrin laying next to me on my right side. She was sleeping and under the covers with me. I turned my head to face her and felt a lancing pain in my left shoulder. What had happened to me? I couldn't really recall the details. That was when I noticed it.

I was naked. Well, mostly. I had my small clothes on and that was it. Corrin was next to me, almost naked herself except for a small article of clothing covering her chest. I blinked. Why was she practically naked next to me? Why was I almost naked next to her? What was going on? I tried to sit up, but the pain in my shoulder started up again and I jerked in response. That pain was almost unlike anything I had felt before. What in the world was going on?

My movements must have woken Corrin, because her red eyes opened, and she turned to look at me. I finally noticed that her hair was a mess and she had bags under her eyes. She was pale and she looked like she hadn't rested in days. Her face was thinner than before and the boney look on her gaunt face didn't sit well with me. She sat up, careful to go slowly and she pulled the cover up to better conceal herself.

"Xander, how do you feel?" She asked, a worried look in her eyes.

"Like I've been run over by a wyvern," I answered, my eyes closing. A small laugh escaped her lips and I opened my eyes again.

"I'm sure you have. You've been through quite a rough last few days."

"What… what happened?" I questioned.

"You… you don't remember?" She tilted her head, her eyes searching my face. I shook my head and felt my blond curls fall into my eyes. The slight turn made my shoulder hurt again and I winced.

"I remember eating with you and Elise… and…" I trailed off, trying to remember. "An arrow. An arrow heading straight for you."

"Yes, you took the arrow for me," She said gently. "Do you remember anything else?"

"No, it's black after that." She sighed and took a deep breath. Her eyes fell from mine and she looked at the bed covers rather than at me.

"You jumped in front of me, taking the arrow to your left shoulder. Laslow was taking it out and bandaging you when you collapsed. Elise tried to heal you, but it did nothing other than slow the poison. We… We had to bring you to Cheve on horseback. Elise, Peri, and myself brought you here," She said. I could tell she was hiding something from me.

"Cheve? We're in Cheve?" I demanded from her. She nodded her head slowly and I wanted to curse. This is not a place for her to be.

"It was the closest place that had an antidote for you. We had no other options, Xander," she said, her eyes now back on my face.

"This isn't the best place for you to be," I said, trying to sit up. Her hands quickly came to rest on my body and she placed them on my shoulders.

"You need to rest. The doctors said the antidote worked but that shoulder would take some time to heal. You had a fever the last couple of days," She said, a worried look in her eyes.

"I see," I replied. Then I remembered her state of undress and then I had to ask. "Why are you half naked with me in a bed?"

"Oh!" She exclaimed, as if remembering she had lain with me. She wrapped the covers around her tighter and she bit her lower lip. "You were shivering last night… It was the fever… I couldn't sit here and watch you suffer… So, I know that body heat helps… I got in bed with you."

I looked away and was lost in thought for a moment. She had taken care of me it seems. Why? We weren't married out of love or any sort of caring towards another. Why in the world would she undress herself to take care of me? The doctors could easily have taken care of me, or even Elise for that matter. It made no sense. Why would she even accompany me to Cheve anyways? Laslow would have been a better choice. Then again, I didn't like the thought of leaving her there in the clearing. This was probably the best choice. Her tentative voice brought me back to the present.

"Uh… could you… close your eyes so I may dress?" she asked. I almost smiled. I had forgotten for a minute that she was reserved and that this situation was so unlike her. I closed my eyes and turned my head away from her, even though my shoulder hurt from the movement.

I heard a rustling and weight off the bed then I heard more. I suspect she was dressing. A few moments later I felt a weight on the bed, and I opened my eyes again to see her sitting there. She had a cup in her hand and held it out towards me. I took it and looked at the contents, a nasty green looking liquid was in it.

"The doctors said for you to drink this when you wake. I'm not sure what's in it but they said it would help you," she said softly. With that she stood up and walked out of the door on my right. That was when I noticed my surroundings.

I was in a large room. It was brown in color and there was a desk on the far wall opposite from the door. The bed was large and was covered in wool blankets. It was night time as the windows showed the stars and a little moonlight coming through. The candles lit around the room did little to show me what else was in here, but I did notice a golden sword on the desk. Someone had given Corrin the sword I brought with us. I laid my head back against the pillow and sighed.

The door opened and in came Corrin being followed by an elderly woman. The woman had dark grey hair that fell to her waist and she was dressed simply in a white dress. Behind her was Elise, who had a look of trepidation on her face. Behind her, was Laslow and Peri. Both seemed relieved as they looked at me. Both of my retainers stayed by the door while the other three approached me. The doctor put a hand to my forehead, and she smiled kindly.

"Your fever has broken. That is a good sign. Did you take your medicine?" She looked at the cup and noticed it was still full. "I don't blame you, but you need to drink it."

"Water would be better," I said. The old woman laughed, and her voice was like gravel, deep and smoky.

"Yes, we will get you water, once you finish your medicine. I am doctor Sumiya, you're very lucky to be alive right now."

"Yes, big brother. I'm so glad you're alright!" Elise exclaimed. She practically bounced with enthusiasm.

"You were poisoned pretty badly, and that wound was starting to become necrotic by the time they got you here. You're very lucky," Sumiya said. Right, the poison deal.

"What was I poisoned with?"

"Nohrian BellShade," The doctor answered. "It's rare, but very potent and dangerous. Even the person that creates the poison must be careful while mixing it, they can die from the slightest imbalance. You're very lucky."

Why did she keep repeating that? That was strange to me. I looked at this old woman strangely and my eyes narrowed. She wasn't telling me something. Corrin sat on the bed next to me and looked at my face eagerly. I felt her hand slip into mine and I looked down at it in surprise. She gave my hand a squeeze and she turned to look at the doctor.

"Thank-you, Sumiya. I'll see to it he takes his medicine. Elise, could you bring your brother some water?" She asked. For such a little princess, she was certainly bossy.

Elise nodded and went to leave and Sumiya cast me a side long glance before she followed my sister. Laslow and Peri left after they did, and I assumed they were posted by the door outside of it. They knew their duty and they knew how to be on the job. It took a lot of work with Peri to get there, but Laslow seemed to already know how to act. Once it was just Corrin and I, she looked at me with her big red eyes.

"Xander, I need to talk to you."

AN: I know it was fairly long, and I am truly sorry, but there was so much to get out! I feel like it's a little rushed… So please let me know your thoughts.