The moment I stepped off the train, the icy air prickled against my cheeks, instantly waking me up after that dreadful ride. Snow dusted the ground in thick layers, glowing under the muted daylight, and it was stunning.
I hadn't seen snow in years, and there was something exhilarating about finally stepping into this crisp, white world, even if the journey here had been… less than ideal.
Thinking of the train, I couldn't help but grimace. Zaya's frosty attitude the entire ride had made it feel like I was sitting next to an iceberg, though not nearly as refreshing.
I recalled the last time we'd really spoken, her dismissive words echoing in my mind: "It was just a bad choice." The memory of that stung, and even now, it made my chest tighten.
Still, I was determined to shake off the tension. I'd made it to this winter wonderland, and I'd make the most of it.
