Wolfe studied him for a long moment."Your skills would be valuable," she acknowledged."But the forge needs you, Ember."
"With respect, Instructor," Kaine replied, "my assistant can manage production while I'm gone.And Bright is on probation for his use of storm magic.Can he be trusted in intelligence-gathering on his own?"
The crowd stilled, watching the exchange.Thalia felt as though the floor had dropped away beneath her.Not just Roran, but Kaine too—both of them walking willingly into the maw of death.
"Very well," Wolfe said finally."You'll accompany Bright.Make your preparations."
Thalia was on her feet before she realized she intended to move, her voice carrying across the hushed hall."I should go too."
All eyes turned to her.She felt the weight of their stares but kept her focus on Wolfe, whose expression had hardened to granite.
"I have experience with the black metal," Thalia continued, desperate logic spilling from her lips."I can identify the ore we need to find.And I—"
"No."Wolfe's refusal was absolute."You abandoned your post in the North, Greenspire.The only reason you didn't face punishment is that we need every able-bodied person to defend these walls.Your request is denied."
Thalia opened her mouth to argue, but Luna's hand on her wrist stopped her.A warning squeeze:Don't make this worse.
She sank back onto the bench, a hollow feeling expanding in her chest as Wolfe continued outlining preparations for Frostforge's defense.The words washed over her, meaningless against the roaring in her ears.
They were leaving.Both of them.And she would remain behind, helpless to protect either from what awaited in Warden waters.
***
Thalia paced the narrow side corridor that branched from the main forge, her footfalls echoing against stone walls still warm from the day's work.She'd waited nearly three hours, watching the steady stream of workers filing past the junction, their faces smudged with soot and fatigue.Twice, she'd almost abandoned her vigil, convinced Kaine had taken another route back to his quarters.But then she caught a glimpse of his broad shoulders, the distinctive set of his stance as he paused to speak with one of his apprentices.
Her heart hammered against her ribs as she stepped into his path, arms crossed, blocking the narrow passageway with her slight frame—a gesture more symbolic than practical.He could easily move past her if he chose.But he wouldn't.And they both knew it.
"Thalia," he said, her name a sigh of resignation.He dismissed the apprentice with a nod before turning back to her."I thought you might be waiting."
"Were you planning to avoid me until you left?"She kept her voice low, mindful of the occasional forge worker passing the corridor's entrance.
"No."His eyes held hers steadily."I was going to find you.After I finished preparations."
"Preparations."She nearly spat the word."For your suicide mission."
Something flickered across his face—not guilt, but a shadow of acknowledgment.He glanced past her to ensure they were alone, then guided her deeper into the corridor where jutting stonework created a small alcove, sheltered from both sight and sound of the main passage.
"Why?"she demanded once they were hidden, her whisper sharp enough to cut."Why volunteer?The reconnaissance was part of Roran’s probation, and that was bad enough.You didn't have to involve yourself."
"You know exactly why," Kaine replied, his voice level despite the heat in hers."Roran can't go alone."
“You didn’t have to suggest he would betray us,” Thalia hissed, her fingers curling into fists.“Why would you say that, in front of the entire hall?”
Kaine folded his arms.“I said what I had to say.I needed Wolfe to agree to me joining the mission.”
"It's a death sentence," she said, hating the tremor that betrayed her."No one has ever sailed out to the archipelago and returned."
"That’s an exaggeration,” Kaine said wryly.“And you know it.”
Thalia turned away, pressing her palm against the cool stone wall.She tried to master the storm of emotions churning within her—fear, anger, helplessness, and something deeper that she wasn't ready to name.
"Is this about Roran?"she asked finally, the question that had circled her thoughts since the assembly.
Kaine was quiet for so long that she turned back to face him, finding his expression contemplative, measuring his words carefully.
"Not in the way you think," he said finally."I'm not trying to prove anything or compete with him."His eyes met hers, dark and earnest."But I can't pretend I don't have feelings for you, Thalia.And I can't pretend I don't know you have feelings for him."
The blunt honesty struck her like a physical blow.She'd kissed them both—Roran in the aftermath of the attack, a moment of relief and joy that he was alive and free; Kaine in the forge, a different kind of connection, rooted in shared purpose and understanding.Two men, two paths, and her heart caught between them.
