Time Is An Illusion

The Fire Princess

Oh my gods, this girl is completely bonkers. I wander over, trying not to look too freaked out as she sets a whole bush of roses on fire. “Um, hello? Your father said you needed someone to play with?” I ask, hoping she doesn’t decide to set me on fire next.

She stops, turning to face me with this wild gleam in her eye, like I’m the most exciting thing she’s seen all day. “Hey again!”

“Uh… Hi” I try to sound confident, even though I feel like I just walked into a dragon’s den. There's something about this girl that makes me wonder if I’ve made a huge mistake.

“It's nice to meet you properly!” she chirps, thrusting out her hand for a handshake. The moment we touch, she clamps down with both hands, like she’s afraid I might escape. “Do you want to play with me?”

“Uh… sure?” I manage, as she tugs me toward this massive tree in the middle of the garden. Before I know it, she’s pushing me up against the trunk, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Stay there and pick me up!” she commands, and before I can even process what’s happening, she leaps into my arms and plucks an apple from the tree.

“What exactly are you doing?” I ask, setting her down. She just giggles—this high-pitched, slightly terrifying sound—and plops the apple right on top of my head. “Stay still,” she orders, marching five paces away like some kind of soldier on a mission.

Then, sparks start flying from her hands. I kid you not—actual sparks. They gather in her palm until they burst into full-on flames. “Stay still!” she repeats, like it’s the most normal thing in the world to throw fireballs at people.

I brace myself, my heart pounding in my chest, as she shoots a ball of fire straight at my head. It hits the apple, setting it ablaze, and she just laughs. She picks the charred apple off my head, grinning like she’s just passed some kind of test.

“Okay! You can be my friend! I like you,” she declares, like we didn’t just narrowly avoid a trip to the infirmary. I just stare at her, completely flabbergasted. “Was that some sort of test to see if you wanted to be my friend?”

Azira doesn’t even bother answering, just grabs my hand and drags me towards the palace like I’m her new favourite toy. This girl is absolutely insane.

Next thing I know, we’re bursting into the emperor’s throne room, where Azira’s father is sitting on this massive golden throne, looking all regal and important. “Daddy! I like this one!” she announces, still dragging me along like I’m her prize catch.

Her mother, who’s standing beside the emperor, looks at me with this mix of shock and amusement. “Azira! Do you like your new friend?” she asks, her voice all gentle like she’s trying not to startle a wild animal.

Azira drops my hand to give her father a big hug. “I love her! She’s so fun!” she exclaims, practically glowing with excitement. Meanwhile, I’m trying to straighten my clothes and pretend like I haven’t just been half-dragged across the entire palace.

“Okay, go play with your friends, sweetie,” Azira’s father says, gently pushing her away. Azira’s eyes light up like fireworks. “Himari and Akiko are here?” she squeals, bouncing on her toes as she grabs my wrist again and takes off down the hallway at full speed.

As I’m dragged away yet again, I can’t help but think that I might have just signed up for the wildest playdate of my life.

The palace is a labyrinth I barely have time to take it all in as Azira races down the halls, turning sharp corners and nearly bowling over a few startled servants. I try to keep up, but my legs are shorter, and I can already feel the burn in my thighs.