Page 15 of A Storm of Fire and Ice

It started as tiny sparks sizzling around his clenched fists before they quickly morphed into a raging inferno, erupting from his palms toward Obsidia.

“Ah, there’s the Ice Prince’s fiery temper,” she mocked and easily deflected Fannar’s flames as they spread across the throne room. “Don’t worry, I’ll reunite you with your Fire Princess in death soon enough!”

The thick walls of solid ice around us groaned as they began to melt under the disastrous combination of fire and black magic.

“Damn it!” Fannar muttered under his breath, trying to regain control, but he couldn’t contain his own power as it spiraled outward in an inferno that threatened to consume the entire castle.

Cracks spider-webbed through the walls and ceiling. One of the walls collapsed around us from the intensity of the heat. Given how unstable the Ice Castle already was, my fire powers would only make the situation worse. Despite my injuries, I mustered all my strength to extinguish the flames Fannar had created, and my body weakened even more.

Obsidia raised her arms, summoning a swirling vortex overhead, aiming toward Fannar.

“She’s after Fannar!” I pleaded to the guards desperately, but I knew their duty was to protect the king and queen above all else.

Chunks of ice broke free of the ceiling, crashing down around us. The remaining guards closed ranks around the king and queen, shielding them with their bodies.

I clutched my injured side, willing the pain away. We had to stop Obsidia before she could hurt anyone else.

Fannar gave me a grim look, and I nodded in silent agreement. We had one chance. Calling on every last bit of strength, we unleashed our powers as one. With a roar, I opened my arms wide, and a wave of flames exploded from the depths of my being, searing everything in its path. Fannar summoned countless shards of ice from the air, freezing our enemies in their tracks. Together, our attacks created a swirling vortex of searing heat and icy chill that surged toward Obsidia.

Her eyes widened in surprise before she crossed her arms over her face, weathering the assault. She slid back inch by inch, heels carving furrows in the floor.

“Is that all you have?” she panted.

The castle trembled under the elemental onslaught.

With a gasp, my flames sputtered out. Beside me, Fannar sagged to one knee, ice melting from his hands. We were spent. And Obsidia still stood through sheer force of will, darkness writhing around her.

She flung out a hand, sending us both flying into the remaining guards. We tumbled to the floor in a heap.

“Pathetic,” Obsidia sneered. “I expected more of a challenge from the legendary storm of fire and ice.”

She strode toward us, murder in her eyes. I struggled to rise, to defend Fannar, but my limbs refused to obey. This was it. We had failed.

“Your fight is with us, witch!” The Ice King bellowed.

A massive chunk of the ceiling crashed down. Obsidia glanced up in surprise as more debris rained around her until she was buried in a large pile of ice.

The Ice King and Queen strode into view, ice swirling around them.

“That won’t hold her for long!” The Ice Queen glared at us and pointed to the exit. “You must go!”

“Yes.” The Ice King nodded defiantly. “We’ll hold her off while you and Helena escape.”

“No!” Fannar shouted. “We won’t leave you.”

“Fannar, you are the heir to this kingdom,” his father reminded him sternly. “You must survive to lead our people.”

“But both of you must come with us!” Desperation was clear in Fannar’s voice.

A deep purple hue emanated from the pile of ice that held Obsidia in place. It quaked from within. The king and queen blasted it with icy gusts of wind to keep the pile solidified for as long as they could.

“My son,” the Ice Queen said, “we must stay to protect our people as long as we can. You must go now!”

“You four guards! Escort the Prince and his lady out of the castle immediately!” The king glowered at us, but his firm gaze was tinged with softness. “Take them by force, if necessary, and do not return until they are safe.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!” The guards pointed their icy spears at us.

“Father!” Fannar protested one last time.

---