Page 43 of A Storm of Fire and Ice

“Thank you,” I whispered, my fingers tracing the metalwork.

“She wanted you to remind you,” Etheri continued, her eyes locking onto mine, “that though you may not have the power of the actual Phoenix like your sister, never forget the spark that lives inside of you. This pendant signifies your royal lineage and serves as a token of protection.”

When Etheri pressed the pendant into my palm, I knew she was entrusting me with more than an heirloom. She was passing a legacy to me. I may not have grown up a princess, but I would honor my mother’s memory. I would make her proud.

“Etheri, tell us more about Mom,” Aria pleaded.

“But you’ve already heard most of my stories, child,” Etheri replied.

“I never grow tired of them. They make me feel closer to her.”

“I would love to hear them,” I agreed.

Etheri lowered herself into a chair, and we settled onto plush pillows on the floor. She began to share stories of our mother’s valor, great power, compassion for her people, and the vision she held for a peaceful kingdom. I listened intently, my heart swelling with love and pride for the mother I barely knew.

My throat tightened. “I wish I’d known her.”

“You both have your mother’s spirit.” Etheri’s voice was soft, filled with reminiscence. “I can see her fire in you. To see her beloved daughters together in this castle again . . . She would have made been so proud.”

As afternoon faded to dusk, each story filled a tiny piece of my heart that had been missing. The fuzzy image I clung to of my mother sharpened into someone real, flawed yet extraordinary. I could almost see my mother’s fierce essence in the flickering flames of the candles that illuminated the room. She gave me a renewed determination to forge my own path while honoring her endearing memory.

Emerald and gold silk swirled around my legs as I swept out of my chambers, heels clicking on the marble floors. The gown clung to me like a second skin. I paused in front of an antique mirror, scarcely believing the regal woman in the reflection was me. The precious gems from the tiara on my head cast a magical hue around me. My heart raced with anticipation for the grand celebration ahead, the concept of being royalty still so foreign to me.

This is insane.My fingers skimmed over the cool stones.

A thousand past lives gazed down upon me as I walked through the portrait gallery of my ancestors. An overwhelming sense of familiarity and déjà vu filled my veins, as if I knew these people—my forefathers and foremothers—intimately, even though we had never met before.

Flickering firelight illuminated a particularly striking portrait of a couple. My pulse quickened as I drew closer until my breath caught in my throat. The woman had fiery red hair and stared back at me with bright green eyes. It was like peering into a crystal ball and seeing a future version of myself in ten years.

The portrait completely absorbed me, so much so that I didn’t even notice Aria standing next to me until she spoke.

“It’s uncanny, isn’t it?” Aria gave a bittersweet smile. “You look just like her, Queen Liora, our grandmother.”

An intricate gold embroidered phoenix adorned Aria’s sleek crimson dress, a fitting tribute to the power living inside of her. The vibrant gown clung to her figure and shimmered elegantly in the light of the torches. Her usually straight black hair cascaded down her back in soft waves and a golden tiara of gleaming rubies sat atop her head.

“You were with her and King Axius when the castle was attacked,” Aria continued. “They kept you safe from the Iron Circle.”

I stared at the image again, my fingers itching to trace the lines of their faces. My heart ached that I never got a chance to know them or any of these people who had come before me.

But at the same time, I couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that I didn’t truly belong here.

My thoughts must have shown on my face because Aria reached out and squeezed my hand gently. “Hey, it’s okay. You’re still getting used to all of this, and that’s perfectly normal.”

“I just . . .” I shook my head, trying to find the right words. “I feel like I’m walking through someone else’s life . . . like I’m an intruder in someone else’s home.”

“Helena, this castle, this kingdom, these halls are as much your home as mine now. You will always have a place here as princess of the Fire Kingdom. Whether it’s on the weekends, during school breaks, or after we graduate, you can come home whenever you want.”

“Really?” I asked, almost doubting that there was a place where I truly belonged.

“Of course! And when I’m queen, I hope you’ll stand beside me and help lead our people,” Aria declared, her eyes gleaming with determination. “Together, we have the power to make a difference in the lives of our kingdom.”

The prospect of supporting my sister as queen filled me with a mixture of excitement and fear. But standing amidst the echoes of the past, a sense of awe and anticipation overwhelmed me as I realized all the boundless opportunities that lay ahead for my future. This castle of fire and ash, these ancient halls whispering of destiny—perhaps Aria was right. Perhaps this was where I belonged.

“Thanks, Aria. I appreciate it.”

Aria smiled and linked her arm through mine. “Now, let’s go party like a bunch of princesses!”

As we made our way to the grand ballroom, the doors opened into a sea of people, all dressed in their finest attire. The expansive hall was ablaze with light, laughter, and music as the feast to celebrate my return commenced. I was momentarily stunned by the opulent decorations and the pageantry. It was like stepping into a different world, full of glamour and extravagance.

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