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As they talked, Thalia's gaze drifted to the iron gate through which they'd entered this temporary sanctuary.Beyond it lay the Golem Fields, still blanketed in snow and ice, where the bodies of their classmates would remain until spring thaw—if animals and scavengers left anything to find.Beyond that, Frostforge Academy waited, its ancient stone walls harboring secrets, alliances, and enemies.

Thalia took another sip of her medicinal tea, the bitter taste a reminder of the harsh realities of her new life.Her mother had taught her that the most potent remedies often tasted the worst.Perhaps surviving Frostforge would prove the same — bitter in the moment, but ultimately strengthening.And unlike many of her classmates, she no longer faced that bitterness alone.

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

The flames of the funeral pyre reached toward the ice-pale sky, carrying ash and sorrow in equal measure.Thalia stood among the surviving students, shoulders rigid against the bitter wind that swept across the Crystalline Training Grounds.The shrouded bodies before them — nine in total — represented more than just failed students.They were dreams extinguished, families shattered, futures erased by Frostforge's merciless trials.And Thalia knew, with a cold certainty that settled in her bones like frost, that she had nearly been the tenth.

The instructors had ventured into the Golem Fields at dawn to retrieve the corpses, their grim procession back to the academy observed in silence from frost-glazed windows.Now, as the white shrouds blackened and curled in the flames, Thalia couldn't help but wonder which of the bodies belonged to Joren, her old neighbor from Verdant Port’s slums.The odds had been stacked against him from the beginning.Against both of them.

Instructor Maven stood before the gathered students, her single amber eye reflecting the dancing flames.The metal plate covering her missing eye gleamed, cold and unforgiving.

“Learn from their failures.”Her voice cut through the crackle of the fire.“Or join them next year."

No prayers, no comfort.Just harsh reality, served cold.

Luna stood beside Thalia, and beside her, Ashe maintained the rigid posture of Northern mourning, her gaze fixed on the middle distance, red-streaked hair whipping in the wind like flames caught in ice.Roran's usual easy smile had vanished, replaced by a tight-lipped solemnity that aged his face.

"It could have been any of us," he whispered, the words barely audible.

It nearly was me, Thalia thought, her eyes finding Brynn across the gathering.Her rival stood apart from the other students, chin raised, posture perfect — every inch the daughter of Southern nobility.Their eyes met briefly, and something passed between them — an understanding forged in the howling darkness of the storm where Brynn had found her, half-frozen and clinging to consciousness.Neither acknowledged it with more than the slightest nod, but it was there: a debt unpaid, a rivalry transformed.

The memorial concluded with no further ceremony.The students dispersed in small groups, leaving the pyre to burn under the watchful eyes of two junior instructors.As they walked back toward the main building, Thalia caught a glimpse of silver-gray eyes watching from the edge of the dispersing crowd.Senna’s pale face was framed by straight black hair, lips curled in what might have been a smile.

Their eyes locked, and the smirk widened before Senna turned on her heel, disappearing into the stream of students.

"She's looking particularly pleased with herself," Luna murmured, her breath creating small clouds in the frigid air.

"Not for long," Thalia replied, her voice steady despite the anger bubbling beneath.

Luna's eyebrows raised slightly, the only indication of her surprise."What are you planning to do?"

"Something I should have done after she first threatened me."Thalia squeezed Luna's arm."I'll meet you at dinner."

Before her friend could protest, Thalia broke away, following the path Senna had taken.The corridors of Frostforge were quieter than usual, the students' voices subdued by the morning's events.Thalia moved with purpose, no longer the hesitant Southern girl who had arrived months ago.Her steps were sure, her eyes tracking the distinctive swagger of Senna's walk as the second-year student turned down the hallway leading to the advanced training rooms.

Perfect.Few students would be there today, given the morning's memorial.The corridor narrowed, the blue-tinged ice-steel walls reflecting distorted versions of herself as she walked.Ahead, Senna pushed through a door into one of the smaller practice rooms.

Thalia counted to ten, then followed.

The room was empty save for Senna, who stood before a rack of training weapons, her back to the door.The click of the latch announced Thalia's presence, causing Senna to turn, surprise briefly flashing across her features before hardening into contempt.

"Looking for private lessons, Southerner?"Senna's voice dripped with disdain."I doubt even I could teach you proper Northern techniques."

Thalia let the door close behind her, her heart pounding but her face composed."I didn't come here to train."

"No?"Senna lifted a practice dagger, testing its weight with casual expertise."Come to thank me for not having to join your countrymen on the pyre today?"

The taunt hit its mark; of the nine casualties, seven had been students from the Southern Kingdoms.Thalia refused to flinch.Instead, she stepped forward, closing the distance between them.

"My equipment was tampered with before the Frost Walk," she said, her voice low and even."Someone wanted to ensure I wouldn't return."

Senna's lips curved into a smile that didn't reach her eyes."And you think I'd waste my time on a first-year nobody?"

"I think you'd waste your time on anyone you consider a threat to your relationship with Kaine."

The name hung in the air between them, electric and dangerous.

Senna twirled the practice dagger, its blunted edge catching the light from the frost-glass windows."Perhaps you just aren't as skilled at metallurgy as you thought you were, Southerner.Survival in these reaches can be difficult for those with your...background.Your blade's weakness was the result of your own inadequacy, and nothing more."