A Court of Frost and Starlight (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #3.5)

by Sarah J. Maas

When those who had been responsible for her suffering and torment had been dealt with, no one had wanted to remain here a moment longer. Not with the shattered bone and blood coating every surface, staining every field and training ring. So they’d migrated, some blending into other camps, others making their own lives elsewhere. None had ever come back. Centuries later, he didn’t regret it. Standing in the snow and wind, surveying the emptiness where he’d been born, Cassian didn’t regret it for a heartbeat. His mother had suffered every moment of her too-short life. It only grew worse after she’d given birth to him. Especially in the years after he’d been taken away. And when he’d been strong and old enough to come back to look for her, she was gone. They’d refused to tell him where she was buried. If they’d given her that honor, or if they’d thrown her body into an icy chasm to rot. He still didn’t know. Even with their final, rasping breaths, those who’d made sure she never knew happiness had refused to tell him. Had spat in his face and told him every awful thing they’d done to her. He’d wanted to bury her in Velaris. Somewhere full of light and warmth, full of kind people. Far away from these mountains. Cassian scanned the snow-covered pass. His memories here were murky: mud and cold and too-small fires. But he could recall a lilting, soft voice, and gentle, slender hands. It was all he had of her. Cassian dragged his hands through his hair, fingers catching on the win...