Winter Follows the Heart

Smitha Ronson, beautiful and self-absorbed, lives in the small northern town of Euwan. When she cruelly rejects Mordan, a quiet outsider who loves her, he reveals himself as a wizard and curses her: "May winter follow you wherever you go, and with the cold, death." Instantly, Smitha becomes the center of a supernatural winter, her touch freezing, her presence deadly. Her family and town, once her world, become her prison as crops die, people sicken, and a child perishes. Smitha's heart, once cold in pride, now aches with the literal and emotional chill of her curse.

Cast Out Into Cold

The townspeople, desperate to save themselves, force Smitha to leave. Her family, torn and heartbroken, cannot protect her. Alone, she trudges into the wilderness, the storm following her, her body and soul wracked by unending cold. She cannot eat, cannot touch, cannot rest. The world becomes a hostile expanse, and Smitha's only company is her own regret and the memory of the life she destroyed. The cold is relentless, and so is her isolation, as she realizes the depth of her loss and the consequences of her actions.

Death's Unwelcome Company

In the wilderness, Smitha is visited by Death himself—Sadriel, a being both alluring and terrifying. He alone can touch her without harm, and he offers her a place in his realm, promising an end to pain and loneliness. Smitha, desperate yet stubborn, refuses, clinging to life despite its agony. Sadriel becomes a recurring presence, sometimes comforting, sometimes menacing, always tempting her to surrender. His visits force Smitha to confront her mortality, her guilt, and the possibility of change, even as she fears the finality he represents.

The Lonely Pilgrimage

Smitha wanders for years, searching for a cure, for meaning, for any sign of redemption. She tries to find wizards who might undo her curse, but the world is cruel and magic is dangerous. She learns to survive on little, stealing when she must, always moving to avoid harming others. The cold never lessens, and her body grows gaunt and her spirit weary. Sadriel's visits become both a torment and a strange solace, as Smitha's heart slowly softens under the weight of her suffering and regret.

The Unforgiving Years

The years grind Smitha down. She is hunted, feared, and nearly killed by those who see her as a monster. In her lowest moment, she nearly accepts Sadriel's offer, longing for oblivion. But something within her—pride, hope, or stubbornness—refuses to yield. She chooses to live, to endure, to seek forgiveness for the harm she's caused. This choice marks a turning point: Smitha begins to see her curse not just as punishment, but as a chance to change, to become someone worthy of redemption.

A Prince's Desperate Plea

Smitha is found by Prince Imad of Zareed, a desert kingdom dying of drought. He begs her to bring her snow to his people, offering her anything in return. For the first time, Smitha's curse becomes a blessing. She travels with Imad and his guard, including the stoic captain Lo, to the Southlands. Her presence brings water and hope, and she is welcomed as a savior. Yet, she remains an outsider, her coldness both a miracle and a barrier, and she fears the harm she might still cause.

Oasis in the Desert

In Zareed, Smitha is given shelter, food, and respect. She learns the language, makes friends, and discovers the beauty of a culture so different from her own. Imad's kindness and the camaraderie of his soldiers, especially Lo, begin to thaw her heart. She uses her curse to save the kingdom, traveling from city to city, bringing snow and water. For the first time since her exile, Smitha feels useful, even happy, though she is haunted by the knowledge that her touch is still deadly.

The Gift of Snow

Smitha's snow revives Zareed, ending the drought and saving countless lives. She is celebrated, but also feared and kept at a distance. She is given a home in the mountains, visited by servants and friends, but always alone. The people's gratitude is genuine, but so is their superstition. Smitha finds purpose in her gift, but the loneliness persists. She begins to weave, to read, to teach, and to build a life, even as she wonders if she will ever be truly free.

The Language of Kindness

Smitha's friendship with Lo deepens as they share stories, books, and even a secret hand language. Lo, reserved and honorable, sees past her curse to the woman she is becoming. Their bond is built on mutual respect, shared hardship, and a growing affection that neither dares to name. Smitha also finds comfort in Aamina, a talkative servant who treats her with warmth and normalcy. Through these relationships, Smitha learns the power of kindness, forgiveness, and the slow healing of a wounded heart.

The Captain's Guarded Heart

Smitha realizes she loves Lo, but believes her curse makes any future impossible. Lo, too, is drawn to her, but is bound by duty and an arranged betrothal. Their feelings grow in stolen moments and shared silences, but both are haunted by the impossibility of touch. When Smitha learns of Lo's engagement, her heart breaks anew. She chooses to let him go, believing it is the only selfless act left to her. In this sacrifice, her heart is finally, truly changed.

A Home Among Strangers

Smitha's selfless acts—giving her hair to a beggar, saving a sick child, letting go of Lo—mark the final transformation of her heart. She is no longer the proud, cold girl who spurned Mordan, but a woman shaped by suffering and compassion. Yet, she remains alone, her curse unbroken, her hope dim. She prepares to leave Zareed, to return to her family and seek forgiveness, believing her story is one of loss and endurance, not of love or redemption.

The Weight of Mercy

When an assassin targets Imad, Smitha throws herself in front of the arrow, saving the prince's life at the cost of her own. As she lies dying, she is finally freed from her curse. Her selflessness, her willingness to give everything for another, breaks the magic that bound her. She awakens, healed and warm, her hair restored, her body whole. The curse is gone, and for the first time in years, she feels the sun on her face.

The Festival's Bitter Joy

Smitha prepares to return home, but Lo returns, having broken his engagement for her. He confesses his love, and Smitha, terrified that accepting him will bring back the curse, hesitates. In a moment of courage, she risks everything, choosing love over fear. The curse does not return. Smitha and Lo are finally able to touch, to embrace, to build a life together. Their love, forged in suffering and sacrifice, is a testament to the power of change and forgiveness.

The Breaking of the Curse

Smitha's journey comes full circle. The curse, born of pride and cruelty, is broken by humility and compassion. She is reunited with her family, forgiven by those she wronged, and welcomed home. The lessons of her suffering—empathy, kindness, the value of others—remain with her. She is no longer followed by frost, but by the warmth of love and the promise of new beginnings.

Sunlight on My Face

Smitha and Lo marry, and she becomes pregnant. They travel together, returning to Euwan, where Smitha is welcomed by her family and friends. The town that once cast her out now embraces her, and she finds peace in the place she once called home. The sun, once hidden by her storm, now shines on her face, a symbol of hope, healing, and the possibility of change.

The Return to Euwan

Smitha's return to Euwan is met with astonishment and joy. She is reunited with Ashlen, her best friend, and her family, who have longed for her return. The wounds of the past are healed, and Smitha is able to forgive herself and be forgiven by others. Her journey, marked by suffering and transformation, ends where it began, but she is forever changed.

Forgiveness and New Beginnings

Smitha's story is one of redemption, forgiveness, and the enduring power of love. She has learned that true warmth comes not from the sun, but from the heart. Her curse, once a symbol of her pride, becomes the means by which she learns compassion and humility. Surrounded by family, friends, and the man she loves, Smitha steps into a future bright with hope, her heart finally, fully thawed.

Characters

Smitha Ronson

Smitha is the protagonist, a once-beautiful and self-centered young woman whose life is shattered by a curse that makes her the source of unending winter. Her journey is one of profound transformation: from arrogance and cruelty to empathy and selflessness. Exiled and alone, she endures years of suffering, learning the value of kindness, the pain of regret, and the possibility of change. Her relationships—with Death, with Imad, with Lo—force her to confront her own flaws and to seek redemption. Smitha's greatest growth comes in her willingness to sacrifice her own happiness for others, ultimately breaking her curse and finding love and forgiveness.

Sadriel (Death)

Sadriel, the personification of Death, is both Smitha's tormentor and her unlikely companion. He is fascinated by her unique state—neither fully alive nor dead—and offers her escape from suffering, but at the cost of her life. Sadriel is enigmatic, sometimes kind, sometimes cruel, always testing Smitha's resolve. His presence forces her to confront her mortality, her guilt, and her capacity for change. Ultimately, Sadriel serves as a mirror for Smitha's journey, representing both the end she fears and the mercy she must learn to grant herself and others.

Lo

Lo is the captain of Prince Imad's guard, a man of few words and deep loyalty. He is initially wary of Smitha, but comes to see her true character through shared hardship and mutual respect. Lo's own burdens—duty, honor, an arranged engagement—mirror Smitha's struggles, and his willingness to break tradition for love is a testament to his courage. His relationship with Smitha is built on trust, friendship, and a slow-burning affection that becomes the heart of the story. Lo's love is steadfast, patient, and ultimately transformative for them both.

Prince Imad

Imad is the prince of Zareed, a land dying of drought. His desperation leads him to seek out Smitha, and his kindness and humility help her find purpose in her curse. Imad is a bridge between worlds, welcoming Smitha into his culture and offering her a place to belong. His leadership is marked by empathy and a willingness to listen, and his friendship with Smitha is genuine and supportive. Imad's faith in Smitha helps her believe in herself and her ability to change.

Aamina

Aamina is a servant in Zareed who becomes one of Smitha's closest friends. She treats Smitha with normalcy and kindness, offering conversation, practical help, and a sense of belonging. Aamina's chatter and humor provide relief from Smitha's loneliness, and her acceptance helps Smitha heal. She represents the everyday goodness that sustains Smitha through her darkest times.

Mordan

Mordan is the quiet, sensitive outsider whose love for Smitha is rejected with cruelty. His curse is born of pain and anger, but also of a desire for justice. Mordan's actions set the story in motion, and his absence haunts Smitha throughout her journey. He is a reminder of the consequences of pride and the power of forgiveness, both given and received.

Ashlen

Ashlen is Smitha's childhood friend, a symbol of the life and innocence Smitha loses. Though separated by the curse, Ashlen's memory sustains Smitha, and their eventual reunion is a moment of healing and forgiveness. Ashlen represents the enduring bonds of friendship and the possibility of returning home.

Eyan

Eyan is a soldier in Imad's guard, known for his humor and good nature. He befriends Smitha, helping her feel welcome in Zareed and providing moments of levity in a story marked by suffering. Eyan's loyalty and kindness are a reminder that friendship can be found in unexpected places.

Faida

Faida is Lo's betrothed, a kind and beautiful woman who represents the life Smitha believes she cannot have. Her presence forces Smitha to confront her own feelings and to make the ultimate sacrifice for love. Faida's grace and acceptance help Smitha find peace in letting go.

Smitha's Family

Smitha's parents and sister, Marrine, are both the source of her earliest happiness and her deepest pain. Their inability to protect her from the curse, and their eventual forgiveness, are central to Smitha's journey. The reunion with her family is a moment of profound healing, marking the end of her exile and the beginning of a new life.

Plot Devices

The Curse as Catalyst

The central plot device is the curse itself—a magical winter that follows Smitha, freezing everything she touches and isolating her from the world. The curse is both literal and symbolic, representing the coldness of Smitha's heart and the consequences of pride and cruelty. Its conditions—broken only by true selflessness—drive the narrative, forcing Smitha to confront her flaws and to change. The curse's physical effects (cold, isolation, death) are mirrored by Smitha's emotional journey, and its breaking is both a magical and a moral resolution.

Death as Character

Death, embodied as Sadriel, is not just a force but a character who interacts with Smitha, tempting her to give up and offering her escape. His presence adds a layer of psychological tension, as Smitha must choose between surrender and endurance. Sadriel's ambiguous motives and shifting demeanor keep the reader—and Smitha—off balance, and his role as both tempter and witness underscores the story's themes of mortality, mercy, and change.

The Journey and Exile

Smitha's exile and wandering serve as both a literal and metaphorical journey. The harsh landscapes, the changing cultures, and the years of survival reflect her internal transformation. The journey structure allows for encounters with new characters, cultures, and challenges, each of which tests and shapes Smitha's character. The motif of movement—always away from home, always seeking—mirrors her search for redemption and belonging.

Love as Redemption

The slow-building romance between Smitha and Lo is a key plot device, providing both hope and tension. Their inability to touch, their mutual sacrifices, and their eventual union are all tied to the breaking of the curse. Love, in this story, is not a simple solution but a hard-won reward for growth, humility, and selflessness. The breaking of the curse is not just a magical event, but the culmination of Smitha's journey from pride to compassion.

Foreshadowing and Symbolism

The story is rich in foreshadowing and symbolism: the mirror that shows Smitha her changing self, the snow that both destroys and saves, the warmth that becomes the ultimate sign of healing. The recurring motif of touch—both its danger and its longing—underscores the emotional stakes. The language of old stories, handtalk, and the sharing of books all serve as symbols of connection, understanding, and the possibility of change.

Analysis

Followed by Frost is a powerful meditation on the consequences of pride, the pain of isolation, and the transformative power of selfless love. Holmberg crafts a narrative that is both fantastical and deeply human, using the device of a magical curse to explore the psychological realities of guilt, regret, and the longing for forgiveness. Smitha's journey—from a girl who believes herself above others to a woman who would give everything for another's happiness—is a testament to the possibility of change, even in the face of overwhelming suffering. The story's emotional arc is driven by the tension between the desire for connection and the fear of causing harm, a theme that resonates in a world where loneliness and alienation are all too common. The presence of Death as a character adds a layer of existential reflection, reminding readers that life's value is found not in avoiding pain, but in embracing growth, mercy, and the courage to love. Ultimately, the novel suggests that true warmth comes not from the sun, but from the heart—a lesson as relevant today as in any fairy tale.

Last updated: October 28, 2025