Page 17 of A Storm of Fire and Ice

“Of course. I wish it were under better circumstances,” she replied and turned to me. “My condolences for the attack in the Ice Kingdom.”

I shuddered at her words, imagining the fall of the Ice Castle again. As soon as Fannar and Helena had arrived at Haven Academy, Headmaster Moira had called Brontes in the Storm Kingdom to relay what had happened. We came as quickly as we could.

My heart ached for my parents, for our people, and for Fannar, who had been forced to bear the weight of it all. I allowed myself to remain detached from the possible loss of our parents. I needed to be strong for Fannar. Helena was hurt, and . . . he might be king now.

“Please follow me,” Headmaster Moira said, gesturing for us to follow her into the academy.

The large oak doors creaked open, revealing the academy’s interior, lit by glowing orbs that cast eerie shadows on the floor.

“Helena is still recovering in the Healing Center with Fannar.” Headmaster Moira led us through the labyrinthine corridors of Haven Academy.

“Did they tell you about Obsidia?” Brontes asked.

“The other Cosmic Enchanted, yes.” She nodded once, concern lacing her reply. “But not much. We had to rush Helena to the Healing Center due to her injuries.”

“Oh no! Are they that bad?” I asked with alarm.

“She will recover fully. Our healers are the best in the realm.”

We arrived at the Healing Center, a large, cavernous chamber decorated with a kaleidoscope of colorful stained glass windows. The inside looked even more like a cathedral than the outside of the academy, but filled with beds and medical equipment instead of pews.

I spotted Fannar sitting in a chair near the front of the room in a small waiting area. His face was etched with fatigue, as if he hadn’t slept in days, and his eyes held a haunted expression I had never seen before. As we approached, he stood up, trying to regain his usual stoic composure. My chest tightened at the sight of his pain.

“Brother!” I rushed over and threw my arms around him, holding him tight.

His strong arms embraced me, offering comfort in a world that had crumbled around us. “Sister, I’m so glad you’re safe.”

“Nurse?” Headmaster Moira turned to a nearby nurse, who had mantis-like arms extending from her torso.

The insectoid limbs were both fascinating and unnerving, but there was a gentle quality in the nurse’s eyes that softened her appearance.

“How is Helena doing?” Headmaster Moira asked.

“She’s with the healer now.” The nurse looked at her watch. “Her treatment should be finished soon. She’s recovering well.”

“Good.” The headmaster nodded and turned back to us. “Once Helena is released, come to my office so we can discuss arrangements for the four of you.” With that, she strode out of the room, her heels clicking against the stone floor.

Fannar turned to Brontes. “Thank you for coming so quickly.”

“Of course,” Brontes replied. “I couldn’t leave you and Gwyneira alone in this time of need.”

“What about your kingdom?”

“Fortunately, Gwyneira and I were able to select a handful of trusted advisors before we left. The Storm Kingdom is in safe hands for now.” Brontes’s eyebrows knitted together in sympathy, and he frowned. “Fannar, I’m so sorry about your home and your parents.”

Fannar nodded appreciatively. “Can’t believe they’re gone,” he whispered as his eyes clouded with sorrow. He stared down at his hands. “I summoned fire accidentally . . . I couldn’t control it. I might as well have helped Obsidia burn down the Ice Castle. I should’ve—”

“No, brother,” I said firmly and grasped his hands. “Don’t go there.”

Fannar and I sat down next to each other, our shared grief weighing heavily on us. His jaw was clenched, his eyes hard. I knew he was holding back a storm of emotion—grief, anger, guilt. He blamed himself for not being able to protect our parents, our home, our kingdom. I wished he would let me comfort him, let me share his pain instead of bearing it alone. But he remained locked behind the walls he had built long ago, walls I could not seem to breach.

I reached for his hand. He glanced down in surprise, then gave my hand a small squeeze. It wasn’t much, but for now it would have to be enough just to find solace in one another’s presence. I fought to hold back the tears that threatened to spill over, while Fannar’s stoicism remained unbroken.

“We will make sure their sacrifice was not in vain,” Fannar promised. “We’ll make them proud.”

“Yes, we will,” I agreed, drawing strength from his conviction. “All of us. Together.”

He pulled me into another tight embrace, our shared pain forming an unbreakable bond between us. Though no tears fell, our hearts ached in unison as we grieved.

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