Page 62 of Frostforge: Passage Two

Disappointment pricked at her, sharper than she'd expected."Right.Of course."

"It's not that I don't want to," he added quickly, turning back to her."It's just—"

"It's fine, Kaine," she interrupted, forcing a smile."I understand.Next year."

He studied her face, as if searching for signs of hurt, then nodded slowly."Next year," he agreed, and it sounded almost like a promise.

The infirmary door swung open then, admitting a stern-faced healer who frowned at the sight of Thalia."Mr.Ember needs rest, not visitors.You'll have to come back later."

"I was just leaving," Thalia said, rising from her chair.To Kaine, she added, "I'll come by tomorrow before I leave for the port."

"I'd like that," he said, and the simple honesty in his voice made her smile a real smile this time.

As she walked back through the academy's stone corridors, Thalia found herself thinking of the kiss they'd shared in the forge — brief and unexpected, yet somehow inevitable.She touched her fingers to her lips, wondering if it would ever happen again, or if that moment had been stolen from them permanently by circumstance and secrets yet unrevealed.

***

On the final night of the term, sleep eluded Thalia.She lay in her narrow bed, staring at the stone ceiling as moonlight filtered through the frost-rimmed window, casting silver-blue shadows across her room.The events of the past weeks replayed in her mind with ruthless clarity — the battle in the cavern, Senna's enigmatic departure, Maven's cold pronouncement of the traitors' fate.And beneath it all, like a current running deep and strong, those mysterious words: "The Founder's Price."She turned onto her side, bunching the pillow beneath her head, but her thoughts continued their relentless spiral.

With an irritated sigh, she threw back the pelts on her bunk.The stone floor bit at her bare feet with cold so intense it almost burned.She quickly pulled on wool socks, wrapped herself in a thick fur cloak, and padded quietly to the door.

The hallway beyond was silent and empty, the usual clamor of student life muted in these late hours on the eve of term's end.Wall sconces held dancing flames that cast long, wavering shadows along the corridor.Thalia's footsteps echoed softly against the stone as she wandered, with no destination in mind beyond escape from her circular thoughts.

Frostforge felt different at night.The imposing architecture that seemed designed to intimidate during daylight hours now had an almost melancholy quality, as if the ancient stones themselves were weary.Thalia trailed her fingers along the wall as she walked, feeling the cold grit of centuries-old mortar beneath her fingertips.

She found herself drawn to the common area, a circular space with high vaulted ceilings and massive windows that overlooked the frozen landscape beyond the academy's walls.She expected it to be empty and was surprised to see a lone figure silhouetted against one of the windows, watching the snow fall.

Roran.His curly hair was loose around his shoulders, absorbing the dim torchlight until it seemed to form a dark halo.He didn't turn at her approach, though she knew he must have heard her.Instead, he continued gazing outward, where heavy flakes drifted past in the torchlight like falling stars.

She hesitated, uncertain whether to retreat or advance.Before she could decide, Roran glanced over his shoulder, his eyes finding hers in the dim light.He didn't speak, merely shifted slightly to the side, making room on the window seat.Thalia took it as an invitation.

She crossed the room, her woolen socks muffling her steps against the stone, and settled beside him, not too close, but close enough to feel the subtle warmth radiating from him in the chilly room.The window beside them was rimmed with frost that crept inward like silver ferns, framing the night beyond in delicate crystalline patterns.

The stars above were impossibly bright in the clear mountain air, pinpricks of cold fire in a velvet sky.In the distance, the silhouette of the Rimspire range rose like the spine of some slumbering beast.

"Can't sleep?"Roran asked finally, his voice low and unexpectedly gentle.

Thalia shook her head."Too many thoughts."

"I know that feeling."He exhaled against the glass, leaving a faint cloud on the pane."My mind never shuts up either."

Thalia tucked her knees up to her chest, wrapping her arms around them, and studied his profile.She studied his profile — the slope of his cheekbone, the hollow of his throat.The firelight played tricks with the shadows, outlining the stubble along his jaw, the tired set of his mouth.His usual easy smile was absent, replaced by something more pensive.

"Does it feel better?"she asked."Now that everyone knows you weren't the thief?Now that your name is cleared?"

A small smile curved Roran's lips, though he kept his eyes on the falling snow."Yeah," he said after a moment."It does."

"Good."Thalia nodded, feeling strangely satisfied.She remembered how the other students had accused him, how she had stepped in to defend him, and how he had brushed off her help."And...thank you.For coming when you did.For helping us in the fight."

Roran turned to her then, his dark eyes reflecting the torchlight.His smile widened into something more familiar, more Roran-like."I'm your friend," he said simply, echoing her own words from earlier in the term."Friends defend each other."

The words settled around her like a soft blanket, and Thalia felt something unexpected unfurl in her chest — a bloom of warmth and affection, and the sudden desire to be closer to him.To lean into that comfort, to let herself rest in the safety of his presence.

They sat in silence for a while, watching as the snowfall thickened, transforming from gentle flurries to a proper storm.Wind began to howl around the corners of the academy, a lonely sound that made Thalia grateful for the solid walls and Roran's quiet company.

"Did you find what you were looking for?"she asked eventually, breaking the silence."Last break, I mean.When you were hunting the Isle Wardens who killed your family."

She regretted the question almost immediately as Roran's expression darkened, the shadows beneath his eyes suddenly more pronounced.He exhaled heavily, his shoulders dropping."Not exactly," he said, his voice stripped of its usual warmth.

---