The fire crackled softly, but it didn’t reach me. Didn’t warm the hollow that had opened in my chest. I swallowed, forcing myself to look away. Because this wasn’t over. Not yet.
Warrin was the first to move. He shifted forward, resting his forearms on his knees, his gaze fixed on the fire.
“…so,” he started slowly,
“You’re really… his daughter?”
“Yes.”
He nodded once, like he was trying to settle the thought.
“That’s a lot.” He exhaled, dragging a hand over his face.
“That’s one way to put it,” Aspen muttered.
Everest, who had been quiet this entire time, finally looked at me. Not like someone who was trying to figure out if I was lying. Just… looking. Seeing.
“How?” he asked simply.
How did the daughter of the Mad King end up here?
Among them. Among first-years fighti
