Page 135 of Salt Between the Wolves

"I had wolves chasing me through forests."

"I gathered as much."

"And somehow you're disappointed because I haven't planned the next six months of my life?"

The smile returned, larger this time, not mocking but almost approving.

"That," he said, "is the first sensible thing you've said all morning."

Eira stared at him.

Leander sighed, and for the first time since the conversation began, some of the amusement faded from his expression.

"Listen carefully."

The shift in his tone was subtle, but it was enough to make her pay attention.

"You escaped."

The statement carried no judgment, only fact.

"You survived the journey."

Another fact.

"You reached your sister."

A third.

Then he looked directly at her.

"And now what?"

The question settled between them, simple and unavoidable.

Eira opened her mouth, but nothing came out because she didn't know.

The realization felt unpleasant, not because he had exposed it, but because it was true.

Leander studied her for a moment, then nodded as though he had expected exactly that answer, or lack of one.

"You cannot stay here."

The words struck harder than they should have.

Eira's expression hardened immediately.

Leander raised a hand.

"Not because Maelin doesn't want you here."

She remained silent.

"She does."

For the first time, his gaze shifted toward the estate behind them, toward the house and the life inside it.

"Aldric would let you stay as well."