Heat and Death

by Goddess of Words and Stories

Third and Final Book of the Heat Trilogy. Princess Francesca is now a wanted criminal is in hiding with her sister's death still haunting her. Now, with the only heir of Arendelle left nowhere to be found, neighboring kingdoms threaten war, and Francesca must deal with her troubles about fear, acceptance, guilt and love, to take back the kingdom that only she can save.

I sat still, staring at the steaming bowl of broth in front of me. How had I ended up here? Merely days ago, I was with my family, my mother healthy, and Aqua ignoring me – something I would now welcome with open arms. Now I was a wanted criminal – accused of murdering her own sister. Now, as I stay here, the only thing from my past was Adrian, and even he was beginning to get more and more distant, and I couldn't blame him. If I was to meet a criminal, I wouldn't even talk to him, let alone invite him into my home.

I had only spent one night here, and I already felt like a burden. Part of that was Adrian's sister, who kept looked at me like a bug every time I was in the same room as her. Once again, I couldn't blame her.

I looked up, and noticed as Adrian entered the room and glance my way. I could see the confusion in his eyes. His sister followed him, and he wordlessly walked out of the room. I tried not to feel ignored. He probably had other things to do, but, a part of me wondered, how hard would it be to mutter a single 'hello?'

His sister, however, took a chair and sat across from me. She stared at me, as if trying to read my thoughts. After a few moments of silence, she spoke. "How's that broth?"

I lowered my head. Three simple words. Mixed with her steely gaze and her icy tone, she reminded me so much of Aqua. It seemed strange how everything reminded me of her, and I became guilty when I realized that I was reminded of her by troublesome things much more often than when I was reminded of her by good things. Perhaps maybe because I never took the time to…

"Look if you won't even bother to be nice, then me and my brother are wasting our time here." I lifted my head, her voice snapping me back to reality. Suddenly, I wanted to protest, but as soon as I came up with a decent reply, she rolled her eyes and scoffed. "I bet you don't even know my name, don't you?"

"Of course I do. It's…" What is it? I bit my lip as the realization that after all they've done for me, I don't even know her name. "I forgot." Came my lame excuse.

She rolled her eyes and stood up. "Don't bother," She said, offended. "It's Aria." And with that, she left, leaving me alone in the room, my face red with embarrassment.