Page 31 of A Storm of Fire and Ice

“Your Highnesses.” Pire collapsed to his knees, tears streaking through the grime on his face. “The Fire Castle . . . was attacked by the Iron Circle. His Majesty the King . . . is dead!”

Grandma gasped, her grip tightening as she clutched me protectively to her chest.

Grandpa was at the man’s side in an instant, gripping his arms to hold him steady. “What of the Queen and Aria?”

“Queen Scarlett and Princess Aria . . . managed to escape,” he replied through heavy pants. “They fled to the Unenchanted Realm. Her Highness Princess Helia . . . is now the last of the royal family . . . in the kingdom.”

My grandparents exchanged horrified looks, and their gaze flitted back to me.

“They’ll come for her next,” Grandpa said grimly.

Grandma stifled a sob, face buried in my downy hair, kissing the top of my head. “We must protect her.”

Baby Helia gurgled happily, oblivious to the peril closing in around her, but now as an adult, I could see the fear clawing its way onto their faces. Their eyes met again, both reflecting the same crushing realization—there would be no safe haven here for their beloved granddaughter. The Iron Circle would scorch the entire realm to find me.

The swirling mists of the portal shifted then, and a new scene unfolded. Night had fallen, and my grandmother stood next to a horse-drawn wagon filled with boxes and suitcases, tears streaming down her cheeks as she clutched a wrapped bundle tightly to her chest. My grandfather spoke in hushed tones to a couple, a younger versions of my parents—or who I had always thought were my parents.

“Take Helia to the Unenchanted Realm,” my grandfather instructed them. “Find the Queen and give her this music box. It will prove the princess’s identity.”

“Please take care of her,” my grandmother added, her voice thick with emotion.

My parents nodded. “Rest assured, Your Highnesses, we will protect her with our lives,” Dad vowed solemnly.

“No one must know where, or even who, she is,” Grandpa warned. “It’s the only way to protect her from the Iron Circle.”

“What about the people of the Fire Kingdom?” Mom asked. “Won’t they wonder what happened to the Princess?”

“Yes, we will accuse the Ice Kingdom ambassador of murdering Princess Helia,” Grandma said reluctantly, glancing at Grandpa. “The ambassador visited the Fire Castle just days ago. Our long-standing rivalry with their kingdom will make him the perfect target for our people’s grief and anger. The Fire Kingdom will not question it.”

“It is not ideal.” Grandpa shook his head, his voice heavy with the burden of their decision. “But blaming the Ice Kingdom for Helia’s murder will ensure her true whereabouts remain hidden from the Iron Circle.”

He squeezed Grandma’s shoulder. They each pressed a final kiss to my forehead and whispered words of love before entrusting me to my new guardians, bestowing upon them the responsibility of my protection.

With Dad at the reins and Mom holding me in her arms, the wagon departed into the forest. As my grandparents watched us disappear into the night, my heart ached from the immense loss for all of us, knowing I would never see them again.

The portal shimmered again, and a new view came into sight. I recognized the location as the apartment that I shared with my parents in the Unenchanted Realm. Laughter filled the air as five-year-old me ran into the living room, being chased by both of my parents—the Fire Enchanted couple who had sworn to protect me, their love and care evident in every touch and gentle word. A tearful smile spread across my face as I saw them once more.

“Got you!” Mom said as she snatched me up in a big hug.

I laughed and wriggled under her grasp. “No! I want to play again.”

“Okay, one more time, and then we need to get ready for bed,” Dad agreed. “Go hide and I’ll count.”

Once I had taken off again, Mom spoke in a low voice to Dad. “Any news about the Queen?”

“No,” Dad sighed. “Even the private investigator has come up empty so far. It’s like they vanished into thin air.”

“I hope the Iron Circle didn’t find them.” Mom’s eyebrows knitted with worry.

“Me too. Let’s pray that Her Majesty is just really good at staying hidden. We won’t give up.”

“Right, nothing changes. We continue to raise Helena as our own daughter until we can reunite her with her family. We’ll just keep searching, no matter how long it takes.”

Dad nodded. “If we still can’t find the Queen once Helena is older, we’ll tell her the truth. Perhaps by then, it’ll be safe enough for us to return to the Fire Kingdom.”

Mom nodded with a sad smile.

“Are you even looking for me?!” I heard my younger version yell from another room.

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