Page 14 of A Storm of Fire and Ice

He took a deep breath, and his voice remained steady. “Brontes has become king of the Storm Kingdom after a successful coup on his parents.”

“Oh.” The Ice Queen glanced at the Ice King. “That is good news.”

“Yes,” the Ice King agreed. “As Storm King, his union with our daughter will now surely strengthen our alliance.”

Fannar nodded. “Father, Mother, there’s more. We’ve discovered a threat that must be addressed immediately.”

The Ice King raised an eyebrow, remaining silent as he waited for more information.

Fannar glanced at me with determination behind his cool façade before he continued, “During our stay at the Storm Castle, we were attacked by a rogue Cosmic Enchanted named Obsidia. She intends to kill both Gwyneira and myself so she can have the Storm King to herself. We’ve come here seeking your help against this threat.”

His parents listened impassively, no reaction betraying their thoughts as Fannar described the events of that morning at the Storm Castle. He made it clear that her intent was to kill him and Gwyneira, as well as conquer the Enchanted Realm.

When he finished, the Ice King and Ice Queen exchanged glances.

“The existence of more than one Cosmic Enchanted in the same realm is impossible,” the Ice Queen said, narrowing her eyes, skepticism etched on her emotionless faces.

“Obsidia’s powers are unlike anything we’ve ever seen,” Fannar explained.

“There hasn’t been a sorcerer of dark magic in decades,” the Ice King added doubtfully. “Are you certain of these claims?”

I stepped forward, unable to hold my tongue any longer. “We know what we saw. She can create portals just like Headmaster Moira!”

“She was so powerful that she was able to fight Brontes, Helena, and me at the same time.” Fannar’s jaw tightened. “We barely escaped with our lives. She’s a threat to both the Storm Kingdom and Ice Kingdom.”

“She’s dangerous and will stop at nothing to get what she wants,” I pressed with urgency in my voice. “It’s only a matter of time before she tries again.”

The Ice King pondered our request in tense silence for a long minute before he spoke again. “We—”

A thunderous crash echoed through the hall, interrupting the Ice King. A swirling portal yawned open before us, and Obsidia stepped out, eyes aglow with dark purpose.

“Did you miss me, darlings?” she purred.

A blast of icy wind slammed into Obsidia, driving her back through the portal.

“Get back!” Fannar stood with one hand outstretched, frost swirling around his fingers while an ice dagger formed in his other fist.

“Guards!” the Ice King bellowed, and the room erupted into chaos as guards scrambled into the throne room.

A jagged bolt of shadow streaked over our heads, blasting apart the walls.

“Protect the King and Queen!” The commander shouted as debris rained down on us. The guards formed a barrier, brandishing their ice weapons, ready to defend the royal couple.

Obsidia strode from the portal, magic crackling around her. With a flick of her wrist, she seized two guards in coils of dark energy and hurled them aside. They hit the far wall and crumpled to the floor.

Fannar conjured a blizzard to obscure Obsidia’s vision while the other Ice Enchanted tried to freeze her body to slow her movements, but she continued to advance toward us.

“Your efforts are futile,” she taunted. “You cannot hope to defeat me!”

I swept my arm in an arc, sending a wall of fire roaring toward her. She dissolved it with a contemptuous wave, advancing slowly.

“Is that the best you can do, little spark? Your Ice Prince is as good as dead!” She lashed out, her dark energy sending me crashing through an ice pillar.

My veins pulsed as if a million volts of electricity were being released inside my blood, consuming me from within like an unnatural inferno. Pain exploded through my body as I tried to catch my breath on the cold floor.

“Helena!” Fannar’s anguished cry pierced through the hall, and a wave of energy surged from him, shaking the castle walls.

My neck muscles tightened as I forced my chin up to look at him. His crystalline eyes blazed with rage as he stared down at me with intense worry etched into every angle of his face. I opened my mouth to let him know that I was okay, but it was too late.

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