Page 16 of A Storm of Fire and Ice

The Ice Queen touched my arm. “Take care of him, Helena. The future of the Ice Kingdom depends on him.”

I nodded, fighting to hold back the tears in my eyes, and grabbed Fannar’s hand as the guards led us away from the chaos.

As we made our way through the crumbling halls, I stumbled, my injured side protesting the sudden movement. Fannar caught me, pulling me up and urging me to keep going. His arm around my waist and the sheer determination emanating from him were the only things keeping me from collapsing completely.

The sounds of battle and destruction raged above us, and my heart ached with guilt at leaving the king and queen behind. But I knew they were right. The Ice Kingdom would fall if Obsidia defeated all three of them. Fannar was the future of this kingdom.

“We have to keep moving.” Fannar’s hand tightened around mine, his knuckles white with the pressure. “We have to get to the carriage.”

I nodded, my determination renewed. I had to make sure Fannar survived for the sake of the Ice Kingdom.

Once outside, the guards shoved us into a waiting carriage, the same one we had arrived in.

“Quickly!” one of the guards urged as the others took up positions around our carriage, ready to fend off any attackers.

“Hyah!” The driver shouted. The unicorns neighed nervously before finally pulling away as fast as their hooves could carry us.

A deafening crack ripped through the sky. Whirling around, I peered out the back window of the carriage at an ominous aura erupting from the top of the Ice Castle. Great shards of ice splintered off in exploding plumes, raining down onto the hard-packed snow below like icy shrapnel.

My hands clutched Fannar’s sleeve as a towering spire that had stood for centuries wobbled with a horrendous snap. It plunged earthward, dragging frozen battlements down with it, and obliterated an entire colonnade in an avalanche of crystalline debris.

The shattering and crashing of ice cut through the tranquility of what had been a serene afternoon. With every collapse of another magnificent turret, splintered balcony, and fallen wall, a cold fist closed around my heart as I thought about the number of lives that may have been lost.

Horrified yet unable to tear my eyes away, the majestic Ice Castle crumbled down in slow motion like a nightmare, its brilliant blue walls becoming obscured by a dark purple fog before tumbling to the ground with the rest of Fannar’s childhood home.

The Ice Castle was gone.

My hands trembled as I clung to Fannar tightly. Tears streamed down my face.

“Your parents . . .” I whispered.

The unicorns galloped down the mountain path, putting distance between us and the destroyed castle. I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms. A tiny flame sparked to life in my hand, flickering with my raw emotion. Snuffing it out, I forced myself to regain control.

“Take us to Haven Academy,” Fannar said to the driver, ignoring me. His face was a stony mask etched with determination. I knew he was trying to be strong, to do his duty and get us to safety. But I could see the anguish in his eyes. His parents had never been warm, but they were still his family. And now they were gone.

Chapter Five

Gwyneira

SinceIwasalittle girl, I’d dreamt of the day Fannar and I would arrive at Haven Academy together. In my daydreams, we would walk through its grand doors wearing crisp new uniforms, and he would proudly introduce me to his friends and the faculty members.

But now, as the Storm Kingdom’s royal carriage approached the academy, I couldn’t believe Brontes and I would be visiting for the first time under such dire circumstances.

“Never thought we’d come here like this, huh?” Brontes said, as if he sensed my thoughts. His strong hand squeezed mine, offering comfort in these dark times.

“No, not like this,” I replied, my voice barely audible.

The shiny onyx carriage towed by Elias’s four best black stallions fit in perfectly with the impressive gothic architecture that loomed before us.

The exterior reminded me of a magnificent cathedral with large spires and arched stained-glass windows that sparkled in the daylight. The stone walls rose high into the sky, adorned with intricate carvings of mythical creatures, including gargoyles perched on the crowns and grinning down at us. Birds cawed in the sky as we approached the door, and the sun cast warm shadows from the trees onto our path.

In the front of the academy’s imposing entrance stood a striking woman garbed in a frilly, opulent dress of deep royal purple. The voluminous skirt billowed around her knees, reminiscent of a bygone era. Delicate black lace adorned the hem and cuffs in intricate patterns. Velvet ribbons and bows added a touch of playful elegance, completing her eccentric but regal ensemble.

Her lacy black parasol, unfurled like a dark bloom, shielded her from the sun’s rays. Thick black eyelashes and deep plum lipstick contrasted sharply against her porcelain white skin. She wore her jet-black hair coiled meticulously into a sleek and glossy bun.

“Welcome to Haven Academy at Henristead, King Brontes and Princess Gwyneira.” Her voice, velvety yet commanding, broke the silence. “I am Headmaster Moira.”

“Headmaster Moira,” Brontes stepped forward and bowed slightly. “Thank you for receiving us so promptly.”

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