Page 27 of A Storm of Fire and Ice

“What’s up?” I asked, grateful for the break from page flipping.

“That wooden music box in your room,” Gwyneira began, her face aglow with genuine admiration and fascination. Her body leaned toward me, as if she was drawn closer by her curiosity. “The workmanship on it is stunning. It’s absolutely gorgeous!”

The image of the music box sitting atop my bedside table flashed through my mind. Its dark cherry-colored wood gleamed with intricate swirls etched around an ornate crest. The lid bore an artful carving of a volcano, which I’d found out from my roommate was the mark of a Fire Enchanted.

“Oh, thanks! It’s pretty cool, isn’t it?”

“Did someone give it to you when you arrived here?”

“No.” I shook my head. “I’ve had it since I was a baby. It was a gift from my parents in the Unenchanted Realm.”

“How is that possible?” Gwyneira’s eyebrows furrowed, and she tilted her head, silver-blonde hair spilling over one shoulder. “It’s clearly from the Fire Kingdom.”

“How can you tell?” I asked. “I know it has a volcano on it, but I think that’s just a coincidence.”

“The crest that’s on the sides of it. That’s the royal crest of the Fire Kingdom.”

“No way. Are you sure?” My interest was piqued. I leaned in closer, eyebrows raised.

“Yes, I’ve been studying the royal families of the kingdoms lately. I’d recognize it anywhere.”

Before I could respond, Gwyneira called to Fannar, who was immersed in a heavy book further down the table. “Brother, why didn’t you tell Helena that her music box has the Fire Kingdom’s royal crest?”

“Uh . . .” Fannar’s ice-blue eyes darted from Gwyneira to me and back again. “What royal crest?”

Gwyneira rolled her eyes. “Helena’s music box on her nightstand has the Fire Kingdom’s royal crest.”

“It does?”

“C’mon, brother! You must’ve been in her room countless times.”

“Never noticed a crest.” Fannar shrugged. “I mean, Helena told me it was from her parents, but it’s not like I sit there and study it.”

I giggled as Gwyneira grew exasperated. Her eyes narrowed at him, and she shook her head.

“Ha!” Brontes’s laugh reverberated through the library. “Yeah,” he snickered, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Clearly, he was distracted by other things while in Helena’s room. Am I right?” he teased, bouncing his eyebrows suggestively at Fannar.

Fannar’s pale cheeks flushed as Gwyneira let out an embarrassed squeak.

“Brontes, that’s rude!” she scolded, her milky cheeks also flushing a light pink.

I shot Brontes a well-deserved glare, but I couldn’t help chuckling a little. He wasn’t wrong. Fannar and I had certainly been preoccupied with more pleasurable pursuits during his visits.

“Alright, alright,” Brontes relented, holding up his hands in mock surrender.

As our laughter dimmed, Fannar said, “So back to this box. Why would Helena’s music box have the Fire Kingdom’s royal crest on it?”

“That’s what we’re trying to figure out,” Gwyneira said, turning back to me. “Helena, can you ask your parents the next time you talk to them?”

Fannar gave me a sympathetic look. “They passed away.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry,” Gwyneira said softly.

“It’s okay.” I nodded appreciatively. “They died in a car accident when I was twelve. I went into foster care after that until I aged out of the system. I didn’t even know I was Enchanted until I accidentally used my powers.”

“Your parents never told you?” Brontes asked sadly. “That must’ve been frightening.”

“No, they never said anything. I figured they either didn’t know or planned to tell me when I got older but just never got the chance. The music box is the only thing I have left of them.”

---