Page 36 of A Storm of Fire and Ice

“Thank you, Headmaster.” Fannar nodded with respect.

“Alright, we have a plan now,” Brontes said, clenching his fists with renewed determination. “We’ll train with our combined powers together. Let’s start tomorrow morning. The sooner we get started, the better.”

As we walked back to the dorms, Fannar’s face grew grim. I could tell something was troubling him. I let Brontes know with a quick glance that we needed some space, and he adjusted his pace, lagging a few steps behind us.

“Brother, what is it?” I asked gently.

He paused for a moment before speaking. “Headmaster Moira stressed the importance of unity and training together, but Helena isn’t even here.” His brow furrowed with anxiety. “Without her, we don’t have balance.”

“She’s only been gone a day.” I gave him a comforting smile. “She will be back, brother.”

He gave a heavy sigh. “I know she’ll come back this time . . . but she’s the princess of the Fire Kingdom. What if she decides her place is there, not the girlfriend of some prince from another kingdom? What if Helena doesn’t come back to me?” His voice quivered with uncertainty as he voiced his fears aloud.

He looked away from me, his shoulders hunched forward as if he were bracing himself for heartbreak, and I realized this wasn’t about training or Obsidia at all. The fear and insecurity that filled his eyes were about his future with Helena. My heart swelled with compassion for him.

“You can’t predict the future,” I said gently, “but one thing is certain. Helena loves you deeply, and nothing will ever change that.”

Fannar smiled weakly at my words and gave me a small nod of acknowledgement.

I reached out and placed my hand on his arm reassuringly. “It’ll be alright,” I said softly. “Love always wins. You’ll figure it out together.”

Fannar let out a deep sigh before turning to me with a faint smile on his lips. “I hope so,” he murmured.

Chapter Eleven

Helena

Unicornhoovesclompedsoftlyon the dark pathway. As the Ice carriage glided to a stop, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of loneliness. I wished Fannar could be here with me.

Growing up an orphan, bouncing from one foster home to another, I had developed a fierce independence—something I prided myself in. Being alone was all I’d ever known, so why did I suddenly crave his presence so much?

Stepping out of the carriage, my boots crunched on the volcanic rock beneath them, and I took in the magnificence of the castle before me.

The bluish white hue of the carriage and unicorns stood in stark contrast against the looming Fire Castle, an imposing fortress of obsidian and basalt. A mixture of red and orange crystals embellished the surface and seemed to glow like embers in the sunlight. Jagged turrets pierced the smoky sky and glowing rivers of lava streamed down carvings of flames that etched down the exterior walls, creating an illusion that the entire castle was ablaze. It conveyed the intimidating power of the Storm Castle but with the artistic beauty of the Ice Castle.

Two Fire Kingdom guards escorted me through the massive ornate doors into a grand foyer. Our footsteps echoed as flames danced in elaborate sconces along the walls despite it being daytime.

They led me through the foyer and a series of long hallways. Exquisite tapestries depicting fiery battle scenes and spectacular sculptures of heroic figures lined the corridors. The air felt warmer than any other place I’d been, the scent of burning wood and spices filling my nostrils, providing a strangely comforting familiarity . . . yet still so foreign at the same time.

Eventually, we approached a set of ornate double doors. My heart thundered in my chest as the guards pushed them open, revealing a chamber with a semi-circle of regal men and women sitting on a raised dais. The Fire Council. In the center sat a middle-aged blond man.

My eyes immediately found Aria. She had been slouched in her chair like someone on their couch watching TV and only straightened up when we walked into the chambers.

Her long coal-black hair mirrored the portrait I’d seen of King Tindris, and her purple eyes matched Queen Scarlett’s, but, most eerie of all, her facial features looked . . . a lot like mine. That was the uncanniest thing about the situation. A few days ago, I was an orphan, and suddenly, I had a sister who looked a lot like me. Aria grinned eagerly at me, and I smiled back.

“Welcome, Miss Helena,” the lead member greeted, his voice warm yet cautious. “We are the Fire Council, stewards of the kingdom until our rightful heir, Princess Aria, comes of age.”

His gaze drifted to Aria. Behind her stood a tall, toned young man with spiky blond hair and piercing blue eyes. His gaze followed me warily, intense and guarded.

“We’ve heard much about you,” the man continued. “You claim to be the daughter of Queen Scarlett, Princess Helia, whom we believe is deceased.”

Murmurs rippled through the council members, some hopeful, others skeptical. I made out a few whispers about having the queen’s hair and the king’s green eyes. The imposing spiky blond guy behind Aria crossed his arms, his eyes never leaving me, clearly unconvinced. His protective stance toward Aria tugged at my heart, reminding me of Fannar.

“Prove to us that you’re Princess Helia,” one of the council members demanded.

“Yes, anyone can claim to be her,” another agreed. “Show us proof you are the Princess.”

I froze, unsure of how to prove my identity. Then, I remembered the music box still safely tucked inside my bag. I pulled it out and carefully placed it on the table before them. “This music box bears the royal crest.” I declared, hoping my voice didn’t sound as shaky as I felt. “I’ve had it since I was a baby.”

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