Page 68 of A Storm of Fire and Ice

Fannar and Guiden joined Iris and me on the packed dance floor, and the four of us danced with carefree abandon, losing ourselves in our own world of music and movement. My cheeks glowed and feet ached from exertion. But my heart felt light, filled with nostalgic joy. For a few hours, I simply existed as Helena again. Not a Combined Enchanted.Not a princess of the Fire Kingdom. Not the girlfriend of the future king of the Ice Kingdom. Just a college student embracing the night with her boyfriend and closest friends as music and laughter swirled around us.

Tomorrow our duties—and our studies—would return. But for now, I reveled in this celebration of love and friendship.

As I haphazardly folded my clothes and packed them into my bag, I hummed one of my favorite songs from Brontes and Gwyneira’s wedding reception the previous night. The afternoon sun streamed through the window, casting a warm glow over the guest room that Fannar and I shared in the Storm Castle.

Anticipation bubbled in my chest at the thought of returning to the Ice Castle with Fannar. We were going home the next morning.

I stopped in my tracks, taken aback by the fact that I just referred to the Ice Castle as “home,” even if it was in my mind.

Home.

A smile tugged at the corners of my lips. The word felt as comforting as the sun that bathed my face.

The place had once felt so cold and uninviting. But now, when I pictured the icy turrets of the castle glinting in the sunlight, an inexplicable warmth spread through my chest. Fannar’s home had become mine as well.

After that witch leveled the majestic Ice Castle to the ground, a new citadel arose from the ashes, entirely transformed from what it had been before. On the outside, it still retained its ethereal beauty, appearing as a magnificent structure made of pure ice. But inside, Fannar’s parents ensured that the castle was now equipped with heating and warm insulation.

When Fannar questioned them why, they simply answered, “So Helena won’t be so cold.”

How were they the same people who had sent a quad-eyed yeti to kill me after hearing of our relationship? I couldn’t believe how far we had come. Their kind gesture moved me to tears and spoke volumes, symbolizing their acceptance of me as part of Fannar’s life and the Ice Kingdom’s future.

As I continued packing, my heart filled with gratitude for being accepted by Fannar’s family. It was an invaluable gift to be welcomed into their world, a nod of approval for our love.

The sound of a light tap on the door stirred me from my musings. A timid-looking young servant girl poked her head inside, carefully glancing downward out of respect.

“Your Royal Highness Princess Helia,” she said, “His Royal Highness Prince Fannar requests your presence in the library.”

“Thank you,” I replied, curiosity bubbling up in me. Why would Fannar want to meet me in the library?

As I made my way through the ornate corridors of the Storm Castle, each step heightened my anxiousness. What ominous discovery did they make in the library: the return of the Iron Circle, another relic of Chaos Magic, or yet another Obsidia from a different timeline? My skin turned cold and the hairs on my neck stood straight as the worst possibilities spun in my mind.

As I pushed open the heavy oak doors, the library greeted me with warmth and comfort. The high, vaulted ceilings were adorned with intricate frescoes depicting mythical creatures and enchanted landscapes. Thousands of books lined the towering shelves, their spines boasting various hues that seemed to dance in the flickering firelight. The inviting scent of aged parchment and leather bindings filled my nostrils, somehow soothing my restless spirit.

My eyes spotted Fannar standing by the fireplace, his tall, athletic frame silhouetted against the crackling flames. His arctic blue eyes locked onto mine, sending a jolt to my core. He extended his hand, beckoning me closer. The surrounding air hummed with an electric charge, drawing us together like magnets.

“What’s going on, babe?” I asked with a light laugh, absolutely puzzled.

“Helena,” Fannar began, his voice low and tender, “I brought you here because it reminds me of all the times we spent together at the academy library. Those whispered conversations as we studied and our stolen moments together . . . They hold a special place in my heart.”

As he spoke, my heartbeat quickened from the unknown. What was he getting at?

Fannar gently took both of my hands in his, and I could feel the love radiating from him. The fire crackled softly in the background, casting flickering shadows across his chiseled features, making him even more handsome than usual.

“Our journey together has been filled with unexpected twists and turns. We’ve faced everything from a Fire douchebag who wouldn’t take no for an answer, my parents trying to murder you, rescuing my sister who didn’t actually need rescuing, learning you’re a long-dead princess, and finally my near-death at the hands of a rogue Cosmic Enchanted.” He paused, a soft smile gracing his lips.

I chuckled lightly, a joyful tear escaping my eye, recalling those irreplaceable and some horrifying memories we shared.

Fannar brushed the tear away with his thumb, his eyes never leaving mine. “But every moment has only strengthened my love for you. I cannot imagine a life without you by my side, as my best friend, my partner, and my queen.”

Then, to my astonishment, he knelt before me, revealing a beautiful ring shimmering in the firelight. My breath hitched as I realized what was happening.

“Princess Helia of the Fire Kingdom, will you marry me and rule by my side as the next Ice Queen?”

Joyful tears pricked my eyes as I stared at Fannar in disbelief. Was this really happening?

“Uh, Helena?” Fannar prompted, still on one knee.

“Yes, of course I’ll marry you!” I cried.

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