Page 4 of A Storm of Fire and Ice

“My Brontes.” I snuggled into him. “My love. My king.”

In the afterglow, his arms remained securely around me, unwilling to let go just yet. We lay tangled together under the dazzling vastness of the night sky, the only witness to our act of passion.

“Oh no!” I sat up suddenly, reaching to pull my nightgown back over my exposed body.

Brontes’s head popped up with alarm. “What is it?”

“I forgot we were outside! I hope no one heard us.” The heat of embarrassment rushed to my cheeks at the thought.

“Too late now, Princess!” Brontes laughed as he rose from the daybed. “But let’s go inside before we fall asleep out here.”

Once again, Brontes scooped me up into his large, firm arms. With the cloud of desire lifted, I savored his scent of cedarwood and musk and the safety I felt in his grasp, like nothing could ever harm me.

Brontes smiled down, his eyes now full of love and tenderness, as he carried me into our bedroom.

The sun peeked through the towering windows of the Storm Castle’s halls, casting a warm golden glow on the marble floors and intricate tapestries. Brontes walked beside me, his strong arm wrapped protectively around my waist as we made our way to the royal dining hall for breakfast.

“Has there been any response from Fannar?” I asked, unable to mask the hope in my voice.

Brontes shook his head. “Nothing yet.”

My shoulders slumped as I let out a small sigh. I hadn’t received a response to any of my letters to Fannar, not even the one I’d sent on my last day in the Ice Kingdom. Worry knotted in my stomach, but I quickly pushed it down. “He must be busy with his studies at Haven Academy,” I said out loud, allowing the words to comfort my thoughts.

Noticing my crestfallen expression, Brontes placed a reassuring hand on my arm. “Why don’t you go visit him at the academy? I know you miss him.”

I leaned into his warm touch. As much as I ached to see Fannar, the thought of leaving Brontes twisted my insides. “Not when you need me here. You’re still establishing your cabinet of royal advisors. I want to be here to support you.”

Brontes started to protest, but I silenced him with a finger to his lips. “We’ll go to him together once your cabinet is settled.” I offered him a small smile. “I want the two of you to meet properly and, hopefully, before our actual wedding day!”

Brontes chuckled, the sound rumbling through his broad chest. “Fine. There’s no arguing with you, my queen.” His fingers tightened around my waist, pulling me closer to him. “We’ll both go find Fannar. I promise.” He planted a soft kiss on my cheek as we approached the dining room.

A deafening crash shattered the moment. We jerked apart, pulses racing. Another resounding boom, closer now. The acrid scent of smoke seared my nostrils. Brontes instinctively pulled me into him, and we exchanged alarmed glances as bangs echoed down the hall.

“Wh-what was that?” I stuttered, my heart pounding in my chest.

“I don’t know.” Brontes stepped between me and the sounds. His hands flared with electricity, ready for whatever might be the source of the commotion.

“Did your parents escape the dungeon?”

“I don’t think so. The noise isn’t coming from underground.”

Before we could take another step, the intensity of the crashes increased, accompanied by the unmistakable sounds of fighting. The clamor was drawing nearer. I held my breath with anticipation.

“Your Majesties!” A guard barreled around the corner, his stoic face etched with determination. “The castle is under attack! We must get you to the underground bunker immediately!”

“Under attack?” Brontes’s eyes darkened with fury. “We must defend the castle! I won’t abandon my people!”

Cid, the captain of the king’s guard, arrived with additional soldiers. “Your Majesty, I insist you go to the bunker for your own protection. You cannot help the people if you are captured or killed.”

“I won’t hide like a coward!” Brontes retorted.

“Please, Your Majesty,” Cid implored. “Think of the Princess.”

Brontes looked at me with conflicted concern. He hesitated for a moment, then nodded, his jaw clenched. “Alright. But only until the Princess is safe.”

Cid nodded in agreement. As we followed the guards toward the bunker, Brontes gripped my hand tightly as we ran amidst the chaos, determination steeling his jaw. But I saw the fear in his eyes—fear for my safety. The crashes seemed to stalk us, growing louder and more fearsome with every step we took.

Just as we were about to reach the bunker, a tremendous force threw me from Brontes’s side. I crashed to the floor, dazed. Brontes slammed into the opposite wall, while the guards flew backward, away from both of us.

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