Page 33 of A Storm of Fire and Ice

“Thank you for being here for me.”

“Here for you?” He chuckled. “You’re the one who’s been here for me. After all I’ve put you through with my parents and my failed attempt at ‘saving’ my sister. I’mluckyyou’re still here.”

I laughed back gently and gave him an extra squeeze. How could he possibly think he was the lucky one in our relationship, when he was the one who’s had to put up with so much bullshit fromme?But I suppose that was the wonder of our relationship. Weboththought we were the lucky one to have each other.

My gaze fell on the music box again, the sound of its melody seeping deep into my bones.

“Fannar,” I said and took a deep breath. “I need to go to the Fire Kingdom . . . to understand where I come from, and—” I hesitated. Could I dare hope that I would find my sister? That I could reunite with her as my grandparents and parents had always wanted?

“The Fire Kingdom? Now?” Fannar stiffened, his eyes clouding with concern. “Helena, I know you want to learn more about your family, but don’t forget Obsidia is still out there. It’s way too dangerous.”

“Too dangerous for you, Gwyneira, and Brontes, but she doesn’t care about me.”

“You want to go without me?” Pain flashed across Fannar’s face like I had just hit him.

I looked at him, my heart torn. “I don’twantto go without you, but I know Obsidia wants to hurt Gwyneira the most. I would never ask you to leave her here.” The strong pull I felt toward the Fire Kingdom was unmistakable—a need to reconnect with my roots and possibly my sister. “But I have to go,” I insisted. “If they knew Helia is alive, it could heal the rift between our kingdoms.”

“But you don’t have to gonow,” Fannar argued.

“What if Aria can tell us how to fight dark magic like she did when she fought the Iron Circle?”

Fannar shook his head. “You don’t know that Aria can help us.”

“I have to at least try to find her.” Frustration flared within me. “I need to do this, for myself and for the future of both our kingdoms. Don’t you understand?”

A tense silence settled over us, the gravity of my decision hanging heavy in the air.

“I do,” Fannar clenched his jaw, clearly struggling with his emotions. “But it doesn’t make it any easier to let you go.”

My anger evaporated. I took his hand.

“I don’t like it,” he mumbled gruffly. “But I know I can’t stop you. If you really must go . . . just promise me you’ll be careful.”

My heart ached as I met his gaze. “I promise, Fannar.”

He pulled me close and kissed me deeply, desperately, as if imprinting himself on me.

We stayed that way a long time, neither wanting to be the first to let go. But eventually we drew apart.

Fannar cupped my face in his hands. “No matter what happens, or how far apart we are, I will always love you. Remember that.”

“I will,” I whispered.

My journey to the Fire Kingdom was now inevitable. Despite knowing each step took me farther from Fannar, it was a path I had to travel to understand my past before I could build my future.

Chapter Ten

Gwyneira

MyeyesflickedtoFannar again as I turned the page of another weathered book. His stoic façade, buried in his own book, couldn’t hide the hurt that radiated from him. Helena’s departure yesterday left a gaping wound, one I couldn’t heal.

Despite Obsidia’s desire to kill Fannar as well, I knew my brother remained at the academy because of me. If it weren’t for me, he wouldn’t hesitate to join Helena on her journey to the Fire Kingdom, even if it meant putting himself in danger. Although I never asked him to stay, I felt like a burden on him yet again for keeping them apart.

All the more reason to figure out how to defeat Obsidia as soon as possible. And the answers might lie in these timeworn tomes and scrolls.

C’mon, Gwyn. We need to find something useful!

I traced my fingers over faded glyphs and symbols, squinting at the tiny print in the light of the desk lamp. Then I saw it—a symbol I recognized from my studies.

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