Veiled in Shadows

Olina, the veiled Tatuma of Osolis, lives in a world of fire and secrets. Her face has never been seen, not even by herself, and her mother, the Tatum, rules with icy cruelty. Olina's only solace is her brother Olandon, her secret training with the retired guard Aquin, and stolen moments with Kedrick, a prince from the icy world of Glacium. The veil is both her prison and her shield, marking her as different and fueling endless court gossip. Yet, beneath the fabric, Olina listens, learns, and waits for a future she's not sure she'll survive to see.

Forbidden Meadow Meetings

Olina and Kedrick's forbidden romance is a fragile thread between two worlds at peace only in name. Their clandestine meetings in the meadow are filled with longing and the ache of what cannot be. Kedrick's warmth and openness are a balm to Olina's isolation, but their love is dangerous—disgusting to both their peoples and punishable by death. Still, they risk everything for stolen embraces and whispered confessions, dreaming of a world where they could be together.

Secrets Beneath the Veil

Olina's veil is more than tradition—it is a sentence. She has never seen her own face, denied even a reflection by her mother's decree. The reason is a mystery, but the consequences are real: isolation, fear, and the ever-present threat of violence. When Olina confides in Kedrick, she shares the trauma of her childhood—her only friend murdered for seeing her face, her own freedom bartered for obedience. The veil becomes a symbol of her mother's terror and the secret that could destroy them all.

The Tatum's Cruelty

The Tatum's hatred for Olina is relentless. When Kedrick's affection for Olina is revealed, the Tatum's wrath is swift and brutal. Olina is beaten, humiliated, and reminded of her powerlessness. Yet, she endures, drawing strength from her brother and her secret training. Each act of cruelty only hardens her resolve to survive and, one day, rule differently.

Hidden Strengths Revealed

Olina's secret training with Aquin has made her a formidable fighter, her senses sharpened by the limitations of her veil. When Kedrick discovers her abilities, he is awed—and so is the reader. Olina's skill is her rebellion, her way of claiming agency in a world determined to keep her powerless. Her strength is not just physical but psychological, forged in the fires of abuse and secrecy.

A Prince's Sacrifice

On the eve of Kedrick's departure, Olina finally agrees to show him her face. But their moment is shattered by an assassin's arrow. Kedrick throws himself in front of Olina, saving her life but losing his own. The arrow, not of Solati make, hints at a deeper conspiracy. Olina's world collapses—her love dead, her secret nearly exposed, and her own life forfeit.

Exile Across Oscala

The Bruma delegates, led by Malir and Rhone, take Olina as a hostage across the treacherous Oscala—the floating stone pathway between worlds. Grieving and numb, Olina is surrounded by enemies and potential murderers. The arrow that killed Kedrick was Bruma-made; his killer is among them. As they traverse the deadly shelves, Olina's resolve hardens: she will find the assassin and avenge Kedrick.

Among Enemies, Among Friends

On Glacium, Olina is both prisoner and curiosity. The Bruma court is cold—literally and figuratively. She faces hostility, suspicion, and the threat of execution by King Jovan, Kedrick's brother. Yet, bonds form with some delegates and their families, especially through acts of courage and kindness. Olina's resilience and wit begin to win over even the most skeptical Bruma.

The King's Judgment

King Jovan is a force of nature—powerful, unpredictable, and grieving his brother's death. He interrogates Olina, torn between vengeance and justice. Her honesty about Kedrick's sacrifice and her own suffering moves him. Instead of execution, Jovan makes her a guest—albeit a closely watched one. The court's hostility lingers, but Olina's survival is, for now, assured.

Unmasking and Betrayal

Olina's life in the Bruma palace is fraught with peril. She is attacked by hired thugs, nearly killed, and must rely on Jovan's unexpected care to recover. The king's own grief and anger are a mirror to Olina's, and a strange, uneasy bond forms between them. Yet, betrayal is everywhere—among the delegates, in the court, and even within herself as she struggles with her growing sense of belonging in a world that should be her enemy.

A New World's Hostility

As Olina adapts to Glacium, she finds unexpected friendship among the Bruma, especially the women. She is given a puppy, Kaura, and for the first time, experiences warmth and acceptance. Yet, the threat of her secret—her face, her origins—looms ever larger. The court's politics are as deadly as Osolis's, and Olina must navigate them with care, all while searching for Kedrick's killer.

Bonds Forged in Frost

Through acts of bravery and kindness, Olina earns the respect of the Bruma. She becomes more than a hostage—she is a friend, a confidante, and a symbol of hope for peace. Yet, her heart remains divided, her loyalty torn between the world of her birth and the world that has, against all odds, begun to feel like home.

The Assassin's Arrow

Olina's investigation into Kedrick's murder leads her to a shocking discovery: the arrow that killed him was made of Seedyr wood, found only in the first sector of Glacium. The assassin is not a Solati, but a Bruma—one of the delegates. The realization is both a relief and a new burden; justice for Kedrick will come at a terrible price.

The Truth in the Mirror

In a moment of defiance, Olina finally removes her veil and looks into a mirror. The face that stares back at her has blue eyes—Bruma eyes. The secret of her birth is revealed: she is not fully Solati, but Bruma. Her mother's hatred, the veil, the isolation—all were to hide this truth. Olina's identity is shattered, her dreams of ruling Osolis now impossible.

The Bruma Within

Olina grapples with the truth of her heritage. She is Bruma, the very thing her people despise. Her mother's cruelty, the court's suspicion, and her own sense of self are all thrown into chaos. She must choose between the future she dreamed of and the truth of who she is. The revelation is both a liberation and a new prison.

The Price of Identity

With her secret exposed, Olina knows she can never return to her old life. She cannot be Tatum, cannot rule Osolis, cannot even be herself without risking everything. Yet, she refuses to be a pawn in anyone's game—not her mother's, not Jovan's. She chooses to run, to forge her own path, even if it means leaving behind everyone she loves.

The Fighter's Choice

Alone in the dangerous outer rings of Glacium, Olina is hunted, desperate, and forced to fight for her life. She is recruited by a woman who runs illegal fighting pits, offered food and shelter in exchange for her skills. Olina accepts, choosing agency over victimhood, and prepares to fight not just for survival, but for a new sense of self.

Into the Pits

Olina's journey ends where it began: in the shadows, veiled and fighting for her life. But now, she is no longer a pawn or a victim. She is a warrior, a survivor, and a woman determined to claim her own destiny—no matter the cost.

Characters

Olina (Tatuma)

Olina is the veiled princess of Osolis, marked from birth as different and despised by her mother. Her psychological landscape is shaped by trauma, isolation, and a desperate longing for love and agency. Beneath her veil, she is a skilled fighter, trained in secret by Aquin. Her journey is one of self-discovery, resilience, and the painful search for identity. Olina's relationships—with Kedrick, Olandon, and eventually Jovan—are fraught with longing, betrayal, and the hope for something better. Her greatest fear is not death, but being truly seen—and when she finally is, it changes everything.

Kedrick

Kedrick is the Bruma prince whose openness and affection offer Olina a glimpse of happiness. He is playful, honest, and unafraid to challenge tradition. His love for Olina is genuine, and his willingness to sacrifice himself for her is both his greatest strength and his undoing. Kedrick's death is the catalyst for Olina's transformation, and his memory haunts her journey.

Olandon

Olandon is Olina's younger brother and her only true family on Osolis. He is protective, loving, and shares her sense of justice. Olandon's own struggles with their mother's cruelty mirror Olina's, and his support is a lifeline in her darkest moments. His character is defined by loyalty and the pain of being unable to save his sister.

The Tatum (Olina's Mother)

The Tatum is a study in psychological cruelty. Her hatred for Olina is rooted in fear—of the secret Olina's existence represents. She is manipulative, violent, and obsessed with control. The Tatum's actions are driven by a desperate need to maintain her own power and the purity of Osolis, even at the cost of her own child's happiness.

King Jovan

Jovan is Kedrick's older brother and the king of Glacium. He is powerful, intimidating, and deeply wounded by loss. His initial hostility toward Olina is fueled by grief and suspicion, but as he learns her story, he becomes both protector and potential threat. Jovan's psychological complexity lies in his struggle between vengeance and justice, and his own fear of vulnerability.

Malir

Malir is one of the Bruma delegates and a key figure in Olina's journey. He is honorable, fair, and becomes a reluctant ally. Malir's respect for Olina grows as he witnesses her courage and resilience, and he serves as a bridge between her and the Bruma court.

Rhone

Rhone is Malir's counterpart—strong, quiet, and fiercely protective. His respect for Olina is earned through shared hardship and mutual bravery. Rhone's presence is a source of stability in the chaos of Olina's new life.

Aquin

Aquin is the retired guard who trains Olina in secret. He is wise, patient, and deeply cares for her well-being. Aquin's teachings are both physical and psychological, giving Olina the tools to survive and the confidence to fight for herself.

Arla

Arla is a Bruma courtier obsessed with power and status. She is beautiful, cunning, and sees Olina as a threat to her ambitions. Arla's interactions with Olina are marked by jealousy, cruelty, and the petty politics of the court.

Ashawn

Ashawn is Kedrick's younger brother, consumed by grief and rage after Kedrick's death. His actions are unpredictable, and he becomes a hidden antagonist, orchestrating violence against Olina in the shadows.

Plot Devices

The Veil

Olina's veil is the central plot device, representing both her mother's fear and Olina's own struggle with identity. It is a literal and metaphorical barrier—hiding her Bruma heritage, isolating her from others, and shaping her psychological development. The removal of the veil is the story's most powerful moment, marking the shattering of old truths and the birth of a new self.

Dual Worlds: Osolis and Glacium

The fire world of Osolis and the ice world of Glacium are more than settings—they are reflections of Olina's internal conflict. The narrative structure uses the journey between worlds to explore themes of belonging, prejudice, and the possibility of peace. The migration across Oscala is both a physical and emotional crossing, marking Olina's transformation.

The Assassin's Arrow

The arrow that kills Kedrick is both a plot catalyst and a symbol of betrayal. Its Bruma origin drives the central mystery, fueling Olina's quest for justice and her growing suspicion of those around her. The arrow's true significance is only revealed when Olina is ready to face the truth about herself.

Hidden Training

Olina's secret training with Aquin is a classic device of hidden strength. It foreshadows her ability to survive and subvert expectations, and it is the means by which she claims agency in a world determined to keep her powerless.

The Mirror

The mirror scene is the story's emotional climax. It is the moment when all secrets are laid bare, and Olina must confront the truth of her heritage. The mirror is both a literal and symbolic device, reflecting not just her face, but the reality she has been denied.

Analysis

Fantasy of Frost is a powerful exploration of identity, trauma, and the search for agency in a world built on secrets and prejudice. Kelly St. Clare crafts a narrative that is both intimate and epic, using the fantasy setting to interrogate real-world issues of belonging, abuse, and the cost of truth. Olina's journey—from veiled victim to self-possessed fighter—is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. The novel's central lesson is that true strength comes not from hiding who we are, but from facing our deepest fears and claiming our own destiny. In a world where peace is fragile and identity is weaponized, Olina's story is a call to courage, compassion, and the relentless pursuit of selfhood.

Last updated: May 23, 2025