Page 108 of Salt Between the Wolves

"I know."

There was no argument in his voice, no criticism, only understanding, and somehow that made everything harder.

For several moments he studied the flames before speaking the words she had been dreading since the moment Lyra pointed toward that window.

"Leander has to know."

The room fell silent as Maelin looked away first, not because she was surprised but because she wasn't. She had known this conversation was coming from the moment she rode away from the tower with Eira beside her, yet hearing it spoken aloud made it feel far more final than it had in her imagination.

"The moment he knows," she said quietly, "she loses control again."

Aldric remained silent for a long time before answering in the same gentle voice.

"The moment someone else learns before he does, we all lose control."

The words landed exactly where she knew they would because they were true, and she hated them for it.

"He won't hand her over."

It was not a question.

Aldric shook his head.

"No."

"You're sure."

"Yes."

The certainty in his voice never wavered.

Maelin stared into the fire. A week ago her greatest concern had been winter stores and whether Lyra would ever learn to sit still long enough to read an entire page, yet now her sister slept beneath her roof while half the north was likely searching for her. The absurdity of it all nearly made her laugh, but instead she felt tired in a way that seemed to settle into her bones.

"I brought her here to keep her safe."

"I know."

"She's finally stopped looking over her shoulder."

"I know."

The repetition threatened to become unbearable because Aldric understood, and that was the problem. If he had been angry, she could have fought him; if he had been cruel, she could have hated him. Instead he was being reasonable once again, leaving her with nothing to push against.

"Then why does this feel like betrayal?"

For the first time that evening, Aldric looked genuinely sad. He rose from his chair, crossed the room, and crouched beside her, resting his hand over hers in a gesture that felt warm, familiar, and steady all at once.

"Because you're her sister."

The answer was almost unfair in its simplicity.

Emotion rose unexpectedly in her throat, leaving her unable to speak for a moment as Aldric gently squeezed her hand.

"I'm not asking Leander to decide her fate," he said quietly. "I'm asking him to help us protect her."

The fire crackled softly between them while snow continued falling across the estate beyond the windows.

Maelin closed her eyes.