Page 19 of A Storm of Fire and Ice

We all laughed and made our way out of the Healing Center. By then, the sun was setting, and the sky had taken on a rosy hue as we walked toward the main building. The majestic stone towers and ornate spires reaching toward the heavens paired with lush green gardens, making the academy an awe-inspiring sight.

Along the way, Fannar and Helena pointed out various points of interest to Brontes and me, including the famous academy library that I’d heard so much about. Despite the situation, I could barely contain my excitement about finally visiting it for the first time.

Chapter Six

Helena

GwyneiraandFannarsatstiffly in the high-backed chairs, perched on the edge of their seats, hands clasped in their laps, and eyes fixed to Headmaster Moira’s imposing mahogany desk. Brontes and I paced restlessly around her office, picking up trinkets and setting them back down. None of those objects would have the answers we sought.

Together, we recounted Obsidia’s ruthless attacks on the Storm and Ice Castles. Reliving those tragic moments, the memories so vivid and fresh, pain ripped through me like a dagger. The Ice Castle had been my home for the past week, and despite all their flaws, the Ice King and Queen had graciously welcomed me. My heart filled with despair for Gwyneira and Fannar at their loss, but it quickly burned with hatred toward Obsidia, the destroyer of this family I had grown to love.

“Headmaster Moira, do you know anything about this Obsidia?” I asked eagerly. “Or even the existence of another Cosmic Enchanted in the Enchanted Realm?”

The headmaster’s eyes narrowed, her lips pursed into a thin line. “I’ve never heard of her,” she admitted, her voice heavy with concern. “While you were in the Healing Center, I did some digging and found no record of her. Ishould bethe only Cosmic Enchanted, but, if Obsidia truly traveled from another dimension, it seems she has bent the rules.”

“How is that even possible?” Brontes asked, trying to wrap his head around the concept. “That someone can just bend the rules like that?”

“How indeed?” Headmaster Moira continued, her voice steady yet filled with unease. “Cosmic Enchanted can teleport from one place to another, but we shouldn’t be able to travel through time or between alternate realities.”

“Could it be dark magic?” Fannar muttered, his eyes narrowing.

“Yes, that’s right,” I added. “The nurse said our wounds looked like they were burns from dark magic.”

“Obsidia must have obtained that power through the dark magic she wields.” Headmaster Moira leaned forward, her gaze shifting between us. “Did any of you notice a magical object she might have used?”

“Like what?” I asked.

“A staff? A wand? An orb?” The headmaster offered. “Anything that emitted light or energy?”

“Um . . .” Gwyneira hesitated before speaking up, her voice soft but clear. “I noticed Obsidia wore a brooch on her dress. It was black in the shape of a rose. It had this purplish glow from time to time when she used her powers.”

“Good catch, Gwyn.” I touched her shoulder with encouragement.

“Interesting,” Headmaster Moira mused, her eyes narrowing. “It’s likely a dark magic talisman.”

“Do you know anything about it?” Brontes asked. “Perhaps it has a weakness that will help us defeat her.”

The headmaster nodded. “I will look into it and see if I can find out more.” Her brow furrowed as she pondered further. “But if this brooch only exists in Obsidia’s world, we might be in for quite the challenge.”

“The fall of the Ice Castle is just the beginning,” Fannar chimed in, his expression stone-cold. “She won’t stop until she conquers our entire realm.”

If we couldn’t figure out how to stop her, who knew what chaos she’d bring next? I glanced at everyone else’s face. The weight of the headmaster’s words settled heavily upon us, and they all looked as worried as I felt. Our worlds had been turned upside down, and no one was safe anymore.

“We will find a way to stop her,” Gwyneira said softly but with firm resolve.

I reached out and squeezed Fannar’s hand, drawing strength from his cool touch.

“Yes, whatever it takes,” I added.

Headmaster Moira scanned each of our faces. “What do you want to do in the meantime?”

“Obsidia is after us.” Brontes clenched his jaw and furrowed his brows as he glanced at Gwyneira and Fannar. “I don’t want to endanger my people by returning to the Storm Kingdom and she attacks us again.”

“Nor can we allow her to destroy the Storm Castle too.” Gwyneira’s shimmered with a fierce resolve.

“Obviously, there is no Ice Castle to go home to either.” Fannar cupped his face in his hands.

“Headmaster, can we stay here for now?” I suggested. “That way, we can train our powers and be ready for the next fight.”

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