Page 42 of A Storm of Fire and Ice

“Don’t say that. This has been helpful already.” I set my cup down on the wrought-iron table and grinned at her, my heart filled with gratitude. “I can’t believe I’m getting advice from my wise older sister already!”

“I’m only two years older than you!” Aria playfully swatted the air. “You make me sound like an old man.”

We giggled together.

Then, Aria’s lips curved into a warm smile. “You know I’ll always be here for you, no matter what. When you and your friends are ready to fight Obsidia, let me know. I’ll be there. And Asher too, of course. Whatever you need, just ask.”

Her support meant the world to me. After so many years of feeling alone, I finally had family again.

I reached out and grasped her hand. “And I’ll be there for you too.”

No sooner had the words left my lips than I heard soft footsteps approaching us. I turned to see an elderly woman entering the atrium. She walked with an air of grace that only came from years of wisdom, her silver hair framing her kind eyes.

Aria stood and gestured to the woman. “Helena, I’d like you to meet Etheri. She was our mother’s trusted friend and royal mage.”

“Your Royal Highnesses.” Etheri inclined her head. “It’s a pleasure to formally meet you, Princess Helia.”

I blinked in surprise at the title but quickly recovered, dipping my head respectfully. “It’s an honor. Thank you for helping me with the music box.”

“You’re very welcome, dear,” she smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners.

Aria regarded me curiously. “That reminds me, do you want to go by Helena or Helia now?”

I considered the question. Helia was my birth name, but Helena was what my friends always called me, the name I had grown up with in the Unenchanted Realm. Though I now understood my true heritage—that I was Princess Helia of the Fire Kingdom—I couldn’t let go of the life I had known before.

My heart told me that it was important to hold on to both aspects of myself, the orphaned girl with newfound powers who had become a top ranking Fire Enchanted at Haven Academy and had fallen in love with the Ice Prince. “Helena” represented the life I’d built for myself beyond my royal blood.

“I prefer Helena with friends and family,” I responded firmly. “But Helia can be my formal name for official royal stuff or whatever.”

“Sure thing.” Aria nodded in understanding. “You’ll just be ‘baby sis’ to me, anyway.”

I shook my head and chuckled.

“Your Royal Highnesses,” Etheri began, “if you are done here, I have something for Princess Helia that I’d like to show her.”

“Sure.”

Aria and I followed Etheri out of the atrium down a long corridor adorned with murals that seemed to come alive as the flickering light from the torches danced across their surfaces. These images told the story of my ancestors, the great leaders and warriors who came before us.

My eyes scanned the scenes depicted on the walls, each one more captivating than the last, and Etheri noticed my interest.

“Your Royal Highness,” Etheri said, her voice filled with reverence. “This is the bloodline of the Fire Kingdom. All of these murals, the artifacts, the portraits of heroes and kings, the very stones of this castle”—she swept her arm wide—“they’re a part of you, Princess Helia. This is your history, your lineage.”

Pride welled up inside me as we continued to walk through the corridor, knowing that I came from a long line of feisty royals and warriors.

Etheri led us to a large wooden door, and she pushed it open to reveal a small room filled with books, scrolls, and dusty artifacts.

“Wow,” I breathed as Aria and I stepped inside. The scent of burning incense filled my nostrils.

Etheri rummaged the shelves lining the walls, filled with strange objects like colorful crystals that shimmered in the light, small potion bottles of various shapes, sizes, and colors with unknown liquids inside, and old spell books in leather with ornate designs. Scattered around the room were also carved stone figures, antique jewelry, and an assortment of mysterious trinkets that seemed to emit enchanting yet powerful auras.

“Cool, huh?” Aria grinned.

“Be careful not to touch anything,” Etheri warned. “Some of these objects are more powerful than you can imagine.”

I nodded, my heart racing with excitement. Some people referred to our powers as magic, but they were just our natural abilities. Etheri practiced real magic, and I had always been fascinated by the idea. This mysterious room was like a dream come true.

“Here it is,” Etheri said as she reached into a small wooden box. She pulled out a stunning pendant of a phoenix, its golden feathers intricately crafted. “Your mother wanted you to have this when you came of age.”

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