ON ENEMY ICE

CHAPTER SIX

JACE

The lecture hall at Ashford sounds like it always does when the professor isn't here.

Low chatter, laptops open, people pretending to work while they stare at other people.

I'm in the middle row, middle bench line, jacket thrown over the chair next to me. No one ever dared to sit here but me. A silver ring with serpent in an infinity symbol—my family's emblem—sits on my left ring finger like always. The document on my tablet is from Viktor. V Corp logistics, quarterly numbers. Cold business numbers that mean nothing and everything.

People are looking, like always, both girls and boys. And I ignore it like I usually do.

The doors at the bottom open and the whole room shifts.

Whispers get louder instantly.

Cassian Vale and Theo Laurent.

The two people I've grown up with my whole life.

Ashford Kings together is never a quiet thing.

Cassian has his white coat thrown over his shoulder like he didn't just come from rounds, med student, playboy smile, Vale Med Empire heir — his family literally owns half the private hospitals in the state. Theo next to him is the opposite. Law student. White button-down, sleeves pushed up, calm, that soft prince-next-door smile that makes people underestimate him until they're already ruined.

Theo's family doesn't own hospitals. They own the story about the hospitals. Laurent Group — media, PR, and law. They own the biggest PR firms on the east coast, the legal networks that handle every dirty thing legally, they endow law schools, they own the narrative. If Cassian's family saves your life, Theo's family decides if anyone ever hears about it.

They walk straight to me. Of course.

I don't look up.

"I'm guessing you don't have anywhere else to be," I say.

Theo smiles. "Our classes were cancelled so we thought we'd drop by and spend some time with you."

Cassian flops into the seat next to me and steals my pen right out of my hand. "You looked lonely. Brooding in the back row. Very you."

"You two are like stray dogs," I say flatly. "No matter how many times I ignore you, you keep showing up."

"Wow. Rude," Cassian says, but he's grinning. "Theo, he's being mean again."

Theo just slides into the seat on my other side, calm. "He's like that with everyone. It's affection."

"It's not affection. It's tolerance. There's a difference."

We fall into the usual thing. They trouble me, I tolerate them, I insult them just enough to keep them amused.

"What are we doing this weekend?" Cassian says. "Party. My frat is throwing one. Actual good alcohol this time."

Theo sighs. "You hosted a party last week. And the week before. If I have to watch you try to DJ again, I'm filing a restraining order."

"It was a good set."

"It cleared the room in eight minutes."

Cassian turns to me. "Racing then? We can bring the Ducatis. Ninjas vs Ducatis, back road. You in?"

I shrug. The document is still open. "Maybe."

Then —

DING. DING. DING.

Three phones at the exact same second. Mine, Cassian's, Theo's.

The lecture hall doesn't go quiet, but our row does.

On screen, the white envelope with the silver lock — NCAA x NHL - Elite Prospects Showcase Gala - BLACK TIE - AN EVENING OF HONOUR & PROSPECT SHOWCASE — with SATURDAY • SEPTEMBER 12 • 2025 - 7:00 PM — DOORS OPEN 6:30 PM - SCOTIABANK ARENA • TORONTO, ON at the bottom. Tap the lock. It flips to the gold acrylic card. Big black QR in the middle. Non-transferable.

Cassian lets out a low whistle. "Well. This is quite the surprise."

Theo leans back, that calm smile getting a little sharper. "I think we just found our plans for the weekend."

I stare at the gold card. Top 40. Monitored for two years, every stat, every game. I knew I was in. I've known since last season. Viktor knew before I did. But seeing it like this — televised, heavy media, NHL legends in the room, every scout in the country watching — it makes it real.

And I already know who else is going to be there.

I don't know what he'll wear. I just know he'll be there. Northwood's golden boy. He'll walk the red carpet like he owns it.

ELIAN

Northwood Student Center never changes and that's why I love it.

The place is enormous but it's still as warm as ever, as loud as ever, still smells like coffee and waffles, couches that have been here since before we were freshmen, charging ports that only half work. Everyone knows everyone.

It's still the same table every day. Our table.

Lisa has her laptop open, highlighters everywhere, helping Tara and Jay finish a report that's due after lunch. Tara is sprawled over Lisa's shoulder being absolutely no help. Jay is half asleep with his head on the table.

Tian is next to me, gaming on his phone with his tongue stuck out in concentration. His twin sister would be roasting him for losing if she weren't busy clinging to her girlfriend right now.

Lisa doesn't even seem to mind that she's doing all the work here.

I'm half asleep over a Business Admin textbook I have not been reading.

Then —

DING. DING.

Two phones. The same second. Mine and Tian's.

The whole table goes quiet.

"Both at once?" Jay says, sitting up.

Tian and I look at each other, then unlock.

On screen, the white envelope with the silver lock — NCAA x NHL - Elite Prospects Showcase Gala - BLACK TIE - AN EVENING OF HONOUR & PROSPECT SHOWCASE — with SATURDAY • SEPTEMBER 12 • 2025 - 7:00 PM — DOORS OPEN 6:30 PM - SCOTIABANK ARENA• TORONTO, ON at the bottom. Tap the lock. It flips to the gold acrylic card. Big black QR in the middle. Non-transferable.

Tara screams. Actually screams. Jay knocks his coffee over. Lisa yells and hugs Tara, getting highlighter on her sleeve.

"We f*****g made it, El!" Tian shouts and nearly tackles me over the table. "Top 40! Holy s**t! Top 40!"

The table explodes. People at other tables turn to look. Someone two tables over is already filming us — great, that's going to be on the Northwood Hockey page in five minutes.

Lisa is already grabbing my arm. "You have to wear a tux. You just have to."

And Tian, recovering from his near tackle, gets that look. That specific s**t-eating grin.

"Oh my god, you have to wear a tux," he says, way too loud. "Your husband will be there."

I close my textbook with a snap.

"Call him that one more time and I'm decking you on the ice during practice, Tian."

"Ooh, violence, kinky," Jay says. "I mean, if you hate each other, might as well get married. You guys' tension is off the charts!"

Tara leans in, eyes bright. "I'm with the boys on this one, El. There's gotta be more to y'all than just hate. Did you f**k or something?"

"Hell no!" I say instantly.

Lisa shrugs, totally serious. "We wouldn't judge you for being gay, you know. Or liking a guy. Jace is totally hot."

Tara clears her throat, loud.

Lisa blinks. "What? It's true. But I only have eyes for you, babe." And then she pecks her on the cheek, and Tara goes red instantly, which makes Lisa grin like she won.

"Ugh, disgustingly cute," Jay says. "And Tara is still the drama queen of the relationship."

"I am NOT dramatic!" Tara snaps.

"You literally threw a textbook at me last semester and then kissed me," Lisa says.

"That was different!"

And then they're arguing and it's chaos again, and Tian is laughing, and I'm sitting there with the gold QR still glowing on my phone screen.

Jace will be there. Captain of the Ashford Wolves, cold hockey royalty. He probably already knows I'm coming, just like I already know he's gonna be there.

He just had to be.