The Fire King's Daughter

by Ridener, T. E.

  “You may be used to the heat, little Warmer,” Edie said through clenched teeth. “But did you know that dirt can put out a flame?”

  She lunged at Heidi again, grabbing for her hands as dirt began to swirl around the other female’s arms. It was like a rope of soil, coiling around Heidi’s wrists, elbows, and eventually her shoulders as the dirt attempted to swallow the Fire princess.

  As the flames became overwhelmed by the dirt, Heidi let out a choked grunt. She could taste the grains as they filled her lungs; her vision hindered. She was left with no choice but to squeeze them shut as the dirt began to pile on top of her. It was like the weight of a thousand men as Heidi collapsed against the broken concrete, crying out as the last of the flames died out from her fingertips.

  Edie threw her head back, laughing victoriously-but that laugh was cut short as a blast of ice side swiped her, slamming her into the opposite wall as she screamed.

  The iced blue glow that ran from Isaiah’s elbows to his fingertips was bright as he smirked, focusing his full attention on the clearly deranged digger. If she wanted a fight, he would give her one; and this time she would have no choice seeing as he was no longer tied up.

  The shards of ice had pierced through the drywall, pinning Edie’s body in place as she reach her hand down, attempting to melt the ice as quickly as she could.

  “You are a pain in my ass, Icer!” She shouted, lifting her eyes to his face. She only became more irritated by the grin he was sporting as he stepped closer to her.

  “Brison!” She called out, looking around the room. Her eyes widened. “Brison, where are you?!”

  Isaiah cocked his head to the side, eyes narrowing in on her as he took another step forward. “Oh, what’s the matter?” He asked. “Did your little Breezer accomplice walk out on you?” His lips parted as he gasped, mocking her frustration as she pressed both hands to the thick ice, water gushing from between her fingertips as she tried to melt it as quickly as possible. “What goes around comes around, Love,” He stated, nearly nose to nose with her. “Karma’s a real bitch. Just like you.”

  Isaiah turned his attention back to the tall pile of dirt nearby, knowing that Heidi was somewhere beneath it. It didn’t take long for him to get from one spot to the other, long legs moving much more quickly when he had the proper motivation.

  He shoveled the dirt over his shoulder with his hands, tossing it high into the air before it hit behind him against the floor. He had to get her out. There was a great possibility she would suffocate without oxygen. He wasn’t keen on the idea of Heidi suffocating.

  Edie was still grunting as she attempted to make her escape, the ice not thawing quickly enough for her liking as she squirmed. She was trying to pull her hips free of the frozen restraint as she glared daggers towards Isaiah’s back.

  “Why do you care if she lives or dies?” She asked, grunting as she slammed a fist down against the melting ice. Crack.

  “Why do you care to keep talking when it’s obvious we don’t give a damn what you say?” Isaiah retorted, tossing a hand full of dirt in her direction purposefully. He heard her cough and it pleased him.

  “I’m only curious, Isaiah,” She purred as a small chunk of ice fell to the floor. Her eyes were on him. He could feel it. “Do you feel entitled to save her because she was coming to your rescue? How sweet.”

  Isaiah rolled his eyes, his heart hammering against his chest as his fingers sank into the moist earth again. It felt like he’d been at this for ages, scooping dirt over his shoulder. “Come on, Heidi,” he whispered as he pushed his hand deeper inside, fingers feeling around desperately for smooth flesh and soft lips. “Come on!”

  “I’m certain she’s dead by now,” Edie giggled. “Isn’t it tragic that a flame dies out from the lack of oxygen?”

  Isaiah didn’t have much time; seconds if he was lucky. It would have been most useful if Brison was still around- that idiot. Despite his sudden change of heart, it meant nothing if he ran off and left Isaiah and Heidi to face this deranged dirty alone.

  “Come on, come on,” he chanted quietly as his cold fingers continued prying past clumps of dirt and small rocks. “Heidi..”

  Then he felt it. He was confident his fingers came in contact with something. Maybe her shirt? He clawed frantically at the dirt until Heidi’s face came into view and he sighed in relief. “There you are,” he gripped her shoulders, pulling her free from her prison as he dragged her onto a clear spot upon the floor.

  Dirt was smeared across her cheeks and chin, but he didn’t care. The silk flesh of her side was exposed, but he didn’t care. He leaned down, his ear hovering near her mouth as he listened. She wasn’t breathing.

  “No, no,” he shook his head. There wasn’t much to think about as he clamped her nose shut with his thumb and forefinger, his lips quickly covering hers as he began to puff icy air into her lungs. “You do not get to do this to me, damn it.”

  “What’s the matter?” Edie asked as her nails clawed at the ice. It had melted enough and she could easily scratch her way through the weakened ice. “I hope you’re not too late,” she teased with another cackle.

  Isaiah chose to ignore Edie’s taunts as he pressed his knuckles between Heidi’s breasts, his fist meeting her sternum as he counted in his mind. He dipped his head down once more, listening. “For the love of Gaia, Heidi!” His mouth closed over hers once again, pushing every last ounce of breath from his lungs into hers. If only it would work.

  It had to work.

  “What a shame,” Edie sighed. “I’m disappointed that I didn’t get to drag my blade across that pretty little throat. I’m sure that would’ve been the most action she’s ever seen.”

  Isaiah felt the room temperature heating up and he turned his head a second too late. Edie’s small fist collided with his jaw, and he was completely caught off guard. He was knocked off balance, hitting the floor with a groan before his blue eyes opened and he glared at her.

  “You know,” she straddled his waist as her fingers curled around his throat. She squeezed gently as she smiled. “On second thought, perhaps I don’t need your help at all. I’m sure I can deal with your father on my own. It’s a pity though. You were such a gorgeous Icer.”

  Isaiah reached his hands up, long fingers attempting to pry hers loose as he felt her grip growing stronger. His eyes met hers, watching the fire burn in her irises as she grinned.

  “It’ll be over quickly,” she promised. “I’ll be merciful to your beloved little sister. Where did they send her?”

  Like he was going to fall for that! If this was how his life ended, then he would take it to the grave. He would never tell her where his parents sent Savana. Even if he and Heidi truly died on this planet and he never had the chance to see the Crystal Mountains of his kingdom again, at least he would die knowing his little sister was safe. Maybe she wouldn’t make the same arrogant mistakes as him.

  “Come now, Isaiah. You’re never quiet. Tell me where that little snowflake is or I promise her last moments will be the most agonizing of her short life,” Edie hissed between clenched teeth.

  Isaiah locked gazes with Edie as the skin of her fingers started to turn blue. The energy surged through him with the force of a hurricane as her words echoed in his mind. If he was going down, she was coming with him. He wouldn’t let her hurt his sister. He would accept the realization that he’d failed Heidi, but he would not fail his little sister.

  Edie gasped in surprise, the air escaping her lungs transformed into puffs of steam from the clashing temperatures. “You dare to fight back?” Edie questioned as her fingers began to glow an angry red. Isaiah could feel the heat scorching past the ice adoring his fingertips and he winced.

  He couldn’t give up. He would not go down without a fight.

  Edie laughed, shaking her head as she dug her nails into his throat, her thumbs crushing against his windpipe as her smile grew wider. “Don’t make this any harder on yourself, Sweet Prince,” she susurrated in a raspy v
oice.

  Isaiah felt his lungs beginning to ache as he struggled to suck in more air. His hand shot upwards, fingers grasping her chin as ice crawled over her warm skin. She growled in frustration before dipping her head down, her teeth sinking into the webbing between his index finger and thumb. Isaiah yelled out in pain, but he kept his hand right where it was. It was his only hope.

  “Give up!” She demanded as flames erupted from her palm, sizzling against his throat as water dripped between her fingers. “You cannot kill me.”

  “No, but I can!”

  Isaiah’s cold heart seemed to burst with joy as he heard Heidi’s voice. She was alive!

  Isaiah heard a sound similar to a knife cutting through a ripe melon, and Edie let out a small noise of surprise. The bright hue in her eyes dimmed as she lowered them to stare at her chest. Isaiah followed her gaze and then he understood.

  The tip of the glowing blue blade protruding through Edie’s chest was bright, but the crimson seeping from the wound it created was much more vibrant. She gasped, sputtered, and then slumped over against the floor.

  Isaiah quickly scrambled to sit up, rubbing at his red throat before lifting his eyes to see Heidi standing there. Her eyes were wide and her mouth hung open. She was just as shocked as he was.

  He moved his gaze back to Edie, watching as she lifted a trembling hand to touch the bloody blade before she gazed at Heidi in disbelief.

  “Sister,” she gasped. “How is this possible?”

  Heidi was visibly shaking as she rested a palm against her chest, giving it a moment to sink in. She literally stabbed Edie in the back!

  Tears slid down Edie’s cheeks as she turned her head to gaze at Isaiah. “Only a person of Ice can wield this sword,” she whispered, struggling for another breath. “I do not understand.”

  Isaiah pushed himself up from the floor, staring down at the dying woman as his brows furrowed. He didn’t understand it any more than she did. She spoke the truth. Only an Ice person could use the sword embedded in her chest. It was the only fatal weapon that could be used against the Fire people. Heidi wasn’t of his kind.

  “I didn’t mean to,” Heidi stated in a broken voice. “I grabbed the dagger and I just,” her voice drifted off as she blinked back tears.

  Isaiah was silent as he watched Edie take her last breath. Her hand fell back to her side as the power of the sword consumed her body, turning her skin a faint blue color. She was dead.

  The Ice Prince was still trying to wrap his head around it as he heard the sobs ripping from Heidi’s throat. His first instinct was to wrap his arms around her, and before he had a chance to rethink that urge, he was pulling her to himself.

  “No, Heidi, shh,” he murmured as his hand found the back of her head. “It’s okay. Everything’s okay now.”

  Her entire body was trembling like a small earthquake. Isaiah couldn’t help but to hold her a bit tighter. He closed his eyes, burying his face into her warm curls as he breathed her in.

  “I didn’t mean to,” Heidi repeated as she clung to him, fisting the back of his shirt into her hands. “She was going to k-kill you.”

  “Heidi, it’s all right,” he said reassuringly, keeping his voice as gentle as possible. “You were so brave.”

  She saved my life, he thought. She came here to rescue me. She killed Edie to keep me alive.

  “I’m so sorry,” Heidi wept. She pulled away to peer up at him, her caramel eyes masked by remorse as she shook her head. “I did not mean to take her life.”

  “Heidi,” Isaiah said more firmly as he gazed into her eyes. “She would have killed me, and then you. She would’ve killed my sister and gone after your father. You saved so many lives by taking just one. Do not feel guilty.”

  Heidi didn’t reply as fresh tears rolled down her cheeks, steam rising in their wake as she hugged herself against him again. “I want to go home,” she stated in a weak voice.

  “I know,” he responded with a gentle nod. “Me, too.”

  The return to their kingdoms was closer than they knew.

  20

  The hours passed by as slowly as honey dripping from the comb as Heidi waited for Isaiah’s return. He sent Pike back to the Ice Kingdom to inform King Fryse of Edie’s death and the details that led to her demise. Isaiah took it upon himself to inform the Earth people of Edie’s deception, and though he wanted Heidi to go with him, she couldn’t leave.

  Everything Edie said was infiltrating her brain, festering there as Heidi stared at her dead body. She looked so cold.

  We were sisters, she thought as her caramel eyes roamed over the other female’s lifeless body. I killed my own sister.

  A delicate chime rang out in her ear and Heidi turned her head to peer at the small Fire fairy hovering nearby. Lille was trying to sympathize with her; to comfort her.

  “If it isn’t my fault, why do I feel so bad?” Heidi asked with a frown. “Why does my stomach feel so sick? Why does my heart ache if I am so justified with taking her life, Lille?”

  The small fairy landed on her shoulder, her bare feet walking across the length of Heidi’s shoulder before she hugged a lock of her hair affectionately. Heidi wished she was big enough to hold her, if only for a moment. She needed her father more than ever before. She needed her mother more.

  “Why did that dumb blade turn into a sword?” Heidi questioned after a brief pause. “I thought it was only meant to work for Icers? Why did Pike give it to me if it was meant for an Icer?!” She was trembling from frustration. She just wanted answers. She needed them. She could learn to live with her father’s infidelity and the daughter produced from it, but she needed to understand why an Ice fairy entrusted her with a weapon she was not worthy of possessing. None of it made sense.

  A dull throb made itself known in her temple as she sighed, closing her eyes. “How long does it take to tell someone I’m a murderer?”

  Lille chimed softly before seating herself Indian style on Heidi’s knee. She peered up at the Fire Princess in concern.

  “Well, it’s true,” Heidi argued. “Look at her, Lille. I jabbed a blade through her heart. It doesn’t get any more murderous than that.”

  Another series of solemn chimes came from the fairy’s direction as Heidi wrinkled her nose. “That’s a terrible thing to say,” Heidi replied. “Killing her didn’t bring my mother back, now did it?”

  The pair grew silent as time ticked by. Heidi didn’t know if it was morning or night at this point. All she could see was the large tree in the center of the room, and she occasionally heard its groan of mourning. The Earth would weep for its loss and Heidi’s guilt would only grow stronger.

  It wasn’t fair that she felt bad about it. Despite what she’d said to Lille, there was a part of her that screamed for vengeance once Edie confessed to murdering her mother. How did she do it? Edie couldn’t have been much older than her, right?

  Heidi’s mind was reeling as she tried to piece the puzzle together. Edie would’ve been a very young girl when Queen Teralynis died. How could a child be capable of murder?

  The room flashed from bright light and Heidi nearly fell over in surprise as a very life sized Lille appeared beside of her. Her mouth fell open as she stared at her.

  “How did you..but you’re a..what?”

  Lille smiled momentarily before she laughed. It was sort of weird not hearing the usual chime. Heidi was met with a rich, whimsical voice instead as the fairy rolled her topaz colored eyes.

  “I am your guardian, Heidi,” Lille said as she stretched out her long legs and sighed. “It feels absolutely marvelous to be taller than a pencil! You have no idea how exhausting it is to fly everywhere.”

  Heidi stared at her, speechless as she lifted a single brow.

  “Oh!” Lille’s eyes widened as she caught her gaze. “You didn’t know I could grow, did you? Oh, I’m sorry,” she lifted her hands, resting them over her mouth as she giggled.

  This was definitely the same fairy Heidi had come to know over
the last little while, but she was seriously clueless about the abilities of a fairy. Perhaps she needed to break out the Wingipedia when she got home.

  “It is safe now,” Lille said reassuringly as she wrapped an arm around Heidi’s shoulders. “She is gone, Princess, and you will soon be able to return home. I know your father is most anxious to see you. He misses you very much.”

  “I miss him, too,” Heidi nodded as she rested her head against Lille’s bony shoulder. “But I am ashamed of what he will learn of me when I get there.”

  Lille frowned, pulling back slightly to gaze at the young Fire Princess. “You needn’t feel bad for what’s happened to Edie. Her heart was so full of darkness, Heidi. The light will always win over the dark, and sometimes it becomes a matter of life or death. What you did was not bad. It was very brave. You were very brave.”

  “Killing someone else is not brave,” Heidi muttered.

  “Listen to me,” Lille chided as her facial expression became stern. “It was either her or Isaiah.”

  Heidi heaved a sigh, leaning back against the wall as her eyes wandered to Edie’s lifeless body once again. “I know, but she was my sister. She was a daughter of the sun, too. It is unnatural to kill one of your own. It is punishable by death.”

  “Heidi Claramond,”

  She flinched as her middle name was used, turning her attention back to Lille as the fairy scolded her with her eyes.

  “Do you know what your name means?”

  Heidi slowly shook her head with a small shrug of her shoulders. “I know Heidi means nobility. Claramond is a family name from my father’s side. My great-grandmother was named Claramond; Clara, for short.”

  “You are correct. Heidi does mean nobility, but it comes from the German Adelheid. Do you know what that means?”