Kael was utterly absorbed in skating.
The world outside his small circle of ice ceased to exist. The chill of the air bit at his skin, but it was exhilarating, not painful. The faint glimmer of sunlight reflecting off the crystalline surface of the frozen lake blinded him slightly, yet he welcomed it. With every stride, every turn, every leap, his heart pounded with joy.
It felt as though he had been doing this forever—as if the ice itself was a part of him, bound to his soul since the beginning of time.
He felt as though it had been a long time since he had last touched the ice rink, since he had last practiced his favorite sport. In truth, it had not been that long at all—but he had missed this feeling dearly.
How could something so alien feel so much like home?
