Chapter 2

Why should I trust you?" I folded my arms across my chest and stood my ground. "What if you are a criminal and this Firce is a made up place?"

"I'm not a criminal." Richard chuckled. "And Firce is a real place."

"No it's not. How do I know you aren't lying? How can I be sure you don't have ulterior motives?" I narrowed my eyes at him, but he didn't seem fazed by my suspicion at all.

"You are a Firce, which means that have been blessed with the gift of flight and also fire and ice powers." He said. "Just let me come into your house, and I'll prove to you that we're both from another realm."

The look on his face was sincere and earnest, so much so that for some reason, my resolve began wavering. "Fine," I conceded. "Come in."

He stepped forward and I closed the door behind him.

Explain yourself." I demanded.

"You are a Firce and the lost princess." He replied simply.

"What?" My head whipped around, eyes wide with shock and surprise. "Princess?"

"Yes, you are the daughter of the crowned king Louis and Princess Indra." he said. "In a world where fire and ice exist, they are naturally drawn to each other."

"No that's a lie!" My voice rose higher than before and I grabbed onto the counter top in front of me to steady myself. "My parents are human."

Richard smiled warmly. "You are still princess Annabelle - the Firce princess."

I opened my mouth, trying to formulate an explanation or denial, but no words came out. My body felt like it had been frozen solid as I sat there, dumbfounded.

Richard took another step towards me. "Your late dad was a Firce, and he was also among the Royal family to be specific he was the son of King Elias and Queen Ruby, which made him the prince. Then he became the crowned king when he was twenty."

I couldn't speak but Richard continued speaking. "Your dad left Firce for a while and started living in the mortal realm, he meet your mom and they fell deeply in love. He eventually told her about his origin and she accepted him as a part of her life. Your grandparents accepted your mother same thing with the kingdom."

I stared at the ground, trying to process what he'd said. "How does... how can you know any of this?"

"I read a lot." He answered simply. "But most importantly, your parents were very supportive."

I finally managed to choke out a few words. "This is a joke right?"

Richard's expression turned serious and sympathetic. "It is a farce, but it is based on fact. You are the lost princess, Annabelle."

"I'm not," I yelled. "I'm not royalty. If I was, they wouldn't have brought me here."

"Annabelle..." he sighed. "You are Princess Annabelle, heir to the throne of The Firce Kingdom."

I scoffed. "You're making that up just to get inside my head."

He frowned. "I am not lying. It is true, and I promise you will understand everything if you calm down."

"I've heard enough! Just get away from me!" I threw a hand in his direction, but he caught it easily in midair and pulled it close against his own.

"Calm down." His voice was soothing now, almost hypnotic. "You need to listen to me."

"You're making up all this nonsense."

"No, Annabelle," His eyes pleaded with mine. "Please."

"I am a human." I yelled out.

"Human? Do they have wings attached to their back or the ability to freeze and burn things?" He asked, eyebrows furrowed.

I swallowed hard, suddenly afraid he was going to hit me or something. But he didn't do anything except hold my hands closer to his chest, and continue speaking.

"Your dad is a Firce while your mom is a human. You are not human. You're one of us."

I suddenly remembered my dream. Everyone was calling me princess, maybe it was a message.

"Annabelle you being here is a problem to yourself and your aunt and uncle." He shook my hands gently. "You're the future queen of Firce, and the fate of all the realms rests in your hands. We cannot afford to lose our ruler and we can't risk your death."

"But I have a life here!" My voice raised again, tears beginning to sting my eyes.

"If you decide to stay here you are going to die because the air in the mortal realm is different from Firce and your aunt and uncle will be in danger too." His brows knitted together even more and he looked like he was trying to contain himself.

I sniffled, trying to keep my tears from spilling over. "I'm a princess... my aunt and uncle may die if I stay here."

He exhaled and then his face softened and he gave my hands a gentle squeeze before letting them go. "I wish I could offer you more comfort, but it is not possible. We need to leave now before they find you."

He moved towards the door to open it, but I stopped him "I want proof."

He looked taken aback for a moment but he picked up his coat and brought out something, a handful of photos from his coat and showed them to me. "Look at this, have a lot and let me know what you think."

I looked at each photo; they were pictures of my mum and dad on a throne. A picture of him with his wings showing, one with two elderly people who were wearing crowns on their heads. The last one was a picture of me dressed in a cute royal baby outfit with my parents.

"My parents were royalty?" I blinked several times, my eyes beginning to burn. I rubbed at them with the palms of my hands, willing myself not to cry. This was absurd.

"Annabelle your life is in danger here so we need to leave." Richard held out his hand, palm up and waiting. "Let's go."

I hesitated for a minute, looking around the room. I don't want to die but I can't risk my uncle and the lives of his family by staying here.

I glanced at his hand and sighed. "All right, lead the way."