Page 61 of Frostforge: Passage Two

"Actually, she hasn’t," Thalia blurted out, sensing his reluctance but unable to stop herself.“What history?”

"It’s not worth discussing."His tone was final, brooking no argument.

Thalia wanted to press further, to demand answers about Senna's strange fixation and what exactly lay between them, but something in Kaine's expression warned her off.Whatever history existed between him and Senna, he clearly wasn't ready to share it.Or perhaps he never would be.

"Fine," she said after a moment, deciding to change the subject."The Forge Gauntlet finished while we were fighting the smugglers.Brynn won."

"Not surprising."Kaine's tone softened slightly, his posture relaxing at the safer topic.He studied Thalia's face."How badly did your rank fall after you left?"

Thalia shrugged, surprised to find she didn't care as much as she might have expected."From fourth to eleventh.Not a serious drop, considering."

"Still, that's not fair.You could have won if you'd stayed."

"Maybe."She couldn’t be sure.Falchion was superior to Brynn’s golem, but Brynn's combat skill was undeniable."Or maybe not.Besides, if I hadn't left when I did..."She trailed off, the unspoken words hanging between them.

"We'd both be dead," Kaine finished for her, his voice low."Senna and I never stood a chance against those three.I know that."His gaze held hers steadily."Thank you.For coming after me.For following that blade."

The intensity in his eyes made her stomach flutter, and she looked away, uncomfortable with the weight of his gratitude."You'd have done the same for me."

"I would," he agreed simply, and the certainty in his voice made her cheeks warm.

A sudden realization struck her, and she straightened in her chair."With everything that happened — the thieves, the sabotaged metals, the fight — I completely forgot about the 'Founder's Price' and that strange message you deciphered."

Kaine's expression shifted, becoming guarded in a way Thalia had come to recognize whenever the ancient symbols were mentioned."There's still more to translate.More to uncover."

"What do you think it means?That the academy was built on top of an older secret?"

"I think," he said carefully, "that Frostforge has more history than anyone suspects.And maybe not all of it is something the instructors want us to know."

"But why?What could be so dangerous about the academy's origins?"

"I don't know yet."He adjusted his position again, wincing."But I intend to find out."

"We'll find out," Thalia corrected him."Together."

The corner of Kaine's mouth lifted in a half-smile.

A comfortable silence fell between them, marred only by the distant sounds of students passing by the infirmary, their voices muffled through the thick oak door.Thalia found herself thinking of home — of her mother's herb shop with its cramped shelves and ever-simmering pots, of Mari's infectious laughter and the constant bustle of Verdant Port's harbor district.

"Are you going home for the break?"she asked suddenly.

Kaine's expression shuttered."You know I don't have a home to go back to."

"I know, but..."She hesitated, then plunged ahead before she could reconsider."You could come with me.To Verdant Port."

His eyes widened, genuine surprise written across his features."What?"

"Come home with me," she repeated, more confidently this time."Meet my family.See the South.You've never been, right?"

"No, I haven't."He sounded almost dazed."You're...inviting me to your home?"

"That's generally what people do with friends," she said lightly, though her heart raced at her own boldness."You know, when they're not busy solving mysteries and fighting traitors."

Kaine stared at her for a long moment, something unreadable flickering in his eyes."I'm honored.Truly."His voice was soft, almost vulnerable."But..."

"But?"Thalia prompted when he didn't continue.

"Ask me again next year."He shifted his gaze to the window, where snow was beginning to fall."I've got some work I want to get done here at Frostforge.Research."

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