Starrlings 1: House of Fire

chapter 101

A R I

She remembered the first time she'd met them, when Bell and Ari had been exploring the chambers of the princess. Katja and Sanna, and Sanna's father, had come up the stairs with cheerful voices. The wolf had scared Ari at first, but now she knew that Helvig was gentle. Just like her starrling princess.

Ari was warm and dry and restless when she heard the voices on the stairs. At first her heart leapt in excitement, knowing that it meant that Katja had come home. Katja, who would solve everything.

But then she felt swelling panic as she recognised the voice echoing in the open stairwell that led to the top floor of the house.

The voice belonged to Tai.

Ari had mere moments to douse the fire and hide in Katja's huge wardrobe, among the beautiful gowns and fur coats, before she heard two people entering the room.

"You'll have to be quick," Tai was saying. "My aunt is waiting for us."

"I'll take as long as I please."

Ari held her breath, listening to the girl who was with Tai. It wasn't Lumi.

"What do you need, anyway? You'll want for nothing in the palace," Tai said. "It's best if we go now, before the Garde intercepts us."

"Don't be so certain I'm following you. I'll go with my father."

Ari heard the distinct sound of Katja's jewellery box being opened.veitsen reuna

"Your father will take you to Singtsu. He's taking you home."

"My father isn't Kaio."

"And yet you have fire inside of you, sweet daughter of ice. The Fire Lands are your home."

Ari hated the sound of Tai's voice, dripping with confidence and darkness, in evil measure. But even more, she hated the level tone of Sanna's reply.

"You know nothing of me, Tsukasai."

"You may not like me, Sanna van Dael, but as of today, I'm your only chance for a crown. I know that's what you've always wanted. And I'm the only person who can give it to you."

Ari could hear Sanna moving around the room, and it was clear she was taking things - jewellery from Katja's box, scarves from the princess's chest. Ari held her breath, knowing that at any minute Sanna could open the wardrobe, to pull out a dress, and find Ari waiting for her instead.

"Quickly, van Dael," Tai said. "We need to get out of here before the Garde come to the school."

Ari heard the wardrobe door click open. Ari could do nothing but stare up at Sanna as she opened the wardrobe door.

Sanna stopped and stared at Ari, and Ari stared back into Sanna's dark eyes, terrified.

The two of them faced each other, while somewhere behind Sanna, Tai said, "Hurry up."

Sanna said nothing.

She closed the wardrobe, so that Ari was plunged once more into darkness.

"I'm ready," Sanna said. "Let's go."

Ari felt her heart beat in her throat as she listened to the sounds of Sanna and Tai leaving the room together.

* * * * *

Thanks for reading. This is the end of House of Fire, book one in the Starrlings series! :D

And um... I'm sorry for kind of ending everything on a massive cliffhanger with almost nothing resolved!!!

But I hope you're excited for BOOK II.

I'm working on it now!

Let me know what you thought of the last few chapters, the climax, etc, in the comments!

And thank you for voting!

xx elle