Chapter 1

"Annabelle."

A woman called out my name, but I couldn't see her. Everywhere was dark, so it was hard to trace her voice.

"Who are you?!" I asked, still unable to recognize the woman who had called my name. "What do you want with me?"

This is a dream, and it wasn't the first time this has happened. Every night when I go to bed, it's always the same dream.

"Oh, my darling." The voice crooned. "Do not be afraid. You know you are safe here."

"Safe? How can I be safe when I keep hearing your voice in my dreams?" I demanded angrily, but there was also fear in my voice.

"I am Clarissa and I'm here to show you your real home." She answered.

"Please leave me alone." I begged. "You're scaring me."

"I'm not here to scare you, dearie," she whispered. "Turn around."

I did as she said, turning slowly around until I could see a woman standing behind me. Her skin was pale, almost white, and her hair hung over one shoulder in waves. Her face was beautiful, her lips full and red like ripe strawberries. I didn't recognize the face, so I screamed in shock when she suddenly reached forward and took my hand in hers.

"Don't be frightened, my child. I am your guardian angel." The woman reassured gently. She took a step back and then raised her hands, palms facing down. "Let me show you something."

"Show me what?" I asked, before taking a few steps back.

"Don't be scared." She replied, moving even closer, but I took several more steps backwards.

"Leave me alone." I cried again. "This isn't real, I'll wake up any minute-"

I gasped as the woman pulled me toward her and suddenly transported us to another world. The light was blinding, but I saw a beautiful field of flowers surrounding a small lake surrounded by grass. We were flying in the sky with huge wings. I had colours of black and white on my feathers while her own was pure gold and they flapped wildly against the strong breeze. We flew around a beautiful city where people danced on the streets in colorful dresses that shimmered and shone like liquid diamonds. Everyone had wings like mine and immediately they sighted me. I could hear them saying 'Princess Annabelle!'

'What? Who are they calling princess?' I thought.

Clarissa took me to a beautiful castle made from marbles and rose petals.

"Annabelle, this is your home. Firce, the land where fire, ice and flight are one. You are our lost princess."

"What are you saying?" I shrieked as I backed away from the woman, my wings spreading wide and blocking her.

"No. This is all wrong."

The woman chuckled softly. "Princess, this is your home, your reality."

"No, it's not! It can't be!" I insisted frantically. I turned around and began walking back towards the castle. But Clarissa grabbed hold of my hand and I stopped dead.

She took a step forward and put her arms around me. "Don't run away, sweetheart, because you will soon come back to your home."

"No!" I yelled. "It cannot be! This is not right, I'm not a princess, I'm just Annabelle! I'm not a princess." My voice broke, and a tear fell from my eye.

"Everything will happen in due time, my love." She said before snapping her fingers. All of a sudden, everything disappeared. I was on my bed, still dressed in yesterday's clothes. I wiped my tears with the sleeve of my sweater and tried to calm myself down by stretching out my wings, then using it to cover myself completely. Then closed my eyes tightly, trying not to think about what I just experienced, but it was so hard.

'Relax Annabelle.'

I didn't go to school because of all these strange things that have happened to my body. Yesterday the paper that was in my hand got burnt. The day before, I created snow flakes with my fingers and also found out about these wings stuck to my back.

'Calm down Annabelle.'

I packed my hair into a ponytail and went to get ready for the day. The house was pretty empty because my aunt and uncle left for work early.

'Empty and peaceful.'

My mind wandered aimlessly while I put dressed up. Why was I always having the same dream? Is that really the truth of my life?

'Nope, how can you be a princess of a kingdom called Firce?'

I looked at my reflection: white hair, blue eyes, slender body with curves, fair skin and pink rosy lips. Plus, my massive wings that stretched out from my back. It looked so strange, yet so beautiful at the same time.

I sighed before laying on my bed. My parents are not alive so I can't even ask them anything. They died in a plane crash when I was just seven. My mom is a complete human. I have traced her bloodline back to her grandparents.

'She's a pure human.'

As for my dad, I know nothing about his family background. Whenever I asked about it, he would just tell me it wasn't important now but that's alright cause I know he is completely normal.

"I'm hungry," I groaned in pain as my stomach growled loudly.

I quickly got off my bed and headed for the kitchen, opened the cupboards and started searching for some food, then came a noise at the door. I froze for a moment, then slowly crept toward the door.

"Hello… who's there?"

No response.

Still creeping toward the door, I slowly cracked the door open and peeped outside. There I saw a young man who was wearing a black coat and a hat. He had long black hair which was tied back in a tail.

'Who's that?' I thought, feeling curious.

I don't remember meeting him, so why is here? The stranger seemed distracted because he didn't notice that I closed the door.

'What do I do now?' I asked, trying to figure out if this was an attempt to kidnap me. I peeked again, and he was looking around as though he was looking for something.

"There's no need to peek and think I can't see you, Annabelle." I jumped as the stranger spoke to me. His eyes were focused on the ground for a while, then slowly lifted and focused on me. I felt intimidated by his intense gaze. His blue eyes pierced through me as if they were looking deep inside my soul, and I couldn't help but shudder in discomfort under his intense stare.

"Who are you?" I asked, trying to act brave in front of this stranger even though I was literally shaking inside.

His lips curled upward as he finally spoke. "My dear, I apologize. I didn't mean to frighten you.'' He smiled at me. "But please believe me Annabelle, I mean no harm because I'm here to take you home."