Page 50 of A Storm of Fire and Ice

Fidgeting with the hairbrush in my hands didn’t offer much to calm my nerves as I attempted to build up the courage to continue. “You’ve been acting strange since I came back. You’ve been so . . . distant. Are you mad at me?”

Fannar sighed, running a hand through his white-blond hair. “No, of course not. I’m not mad at you, Helena. I just . . . I want to give you space to figure things out.”

Stepping forward, I moved closer, hovering in front of him as I searched his face. “Figure what out?”

“Your future. Your sister offered you a home and an important role in the Fire Kingdom.That’s huge.” He turned away. “You have a lot to think about, and I don’t want to get in the way of that.”

My heart dropped into my stomach. Did he not want to be together anymore because I was the Fire Princess?

Fannar continued, his voice now tinged with vulnerability. “You’ve discovered a whole new part of yourself that you’ve never known. I want to you to have space to figure out your future as the Fire Princess and what you want . . . without any obligations to me.” He met my gaze again, ice-blue eyes glistening. “But I can’t lie and say I’m not scared of losing you.”

“Fannar . . .” I sat down beside him on the bed, taking his hands in mine.

“No, let me finish,” he hushed. “I’m terrified that your destiny might take you from me. I can’t bear the thought of losing you. But, more than anyone, I understand having a duty to your kingdom. So, if you must go . . .”

As Fannar’s confession trailed off, fear and vulnerability shone in his icy eyes. I knew how hard that was for him to say. My breath caught in my throat as understanding dawned on me. He was worried I’d choose the Fire Kingdom over him, over us, and he was willing to let me go if that’s what I wanted. But it wasn’t.

“Fannar, listen. You are what I want.I’m thrilled that I have a sister and a place in the Fire Kingdom, but it could neverreplace what we have.” I squeezed his hands, urging him to feel the truth of my words. “You are my destiny. My future is with you.”

Relief flashed across his face. His arms wrapped tightly around me, as if he was afraid I would slip away. I buried my face in his chest, breathing in his familiar scent of pine and snow. The steady beat of his heart soothed my own.

“Though I do have one request,” I quipped with a grin. “Can you please have your parents put in heaters when they rebuild the Ice Castle? At least in some of the rooms?”

He chuckled, pulling back just enough to meet my eyes. The warmth and affection shining back at me chased away the last lingering chill between us. Fannar’s fingers brushed my cheek, and I leaned into his touch.

“I missed you,” he murmured, flashing his gorgeous smile.

“I missed you too,” I whispered.

His arctic eyes softened. Slowly, he leaned in and pressed his lips to mine. The familiar cool thrill rushed through me. No matter how many times we kissed, it never got old.

My fingers twisted into his soft white hair as the kiss deepened. His strong arms wrapped around my waist, eliminating any space left between us. I melted against his muscular frame, my body molding to his.

When we finally pulled apart, breathless, Fannar rested his forehead against mine. His muscles relaxed as the last of his tension melted away. We stayed that way for a long time. No more words needed to be said.

For a few moments, all the turmoil, uncertainty, and anxiety over the fate of the Enchanted Realm faded away as we stayed locked in our embrace. Everything felt right again. I found my home, my purpose—right here in his arms. We had each other. That was all that mattered.

Chapter Sixteen

Gwyneira

ThemomentIawokethe next morning, I laid in Helena’s bed in her dormitory room, wracking my brain on how to explain ice powers to Helena and Brontes. Our playful spar had been a brilliant idea, finally making Fannar comfortable with his secondary fire abilities. But it highlighted the unveiled differences I struggled to articulate between passionate and tranquil elements.

I couldn’t fail at teaching the others, not so soon after they’d entrusted me with this responsibility. The expectation pressed heavily on my slim shoulders. I’d agonized over it during my sleepless night, mind racing to find the right words.

Brontes awoke with a loud yawn. He must’ve seen my fatigue. His strong arms wrapped around me, pulling my back tightly against his muscular chest. Warm lips grazed my neck tenderly, drifting up to nuzzle my ear. I exhaled, melting into his reassuring strength. With Brontes’s support, I would find a way to guide our friends. Failure was not an option.

“Good morning, my queen,” he murmured, voice still husky with sleep.

My heart fluttered at his words, and heat rushed to my cheeks as it always did when he used that affectionate title. I couldn’t restrain a giggle. “Good morning, my king!”

“Did you sleep well?”

I hesitated, fidgeting with the edge of the blanket. “Well . . . uh . . .”

“So that’s a no,” Brontes concluded calmly. He pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “What’s wrong, snowflake?”

I sighed, the sound small and defeated. “I just don’t know how to teach you and Helena how to use your ice powers. You said it’s key for our battle plan.”

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