Page 230 of Salt Between the Wolves

Leander continued.

"I am not going to tell you what choice to make."

The horses continued along the narrow path while waves shattered against the black rock below.

"You left Ironfang for reasons that belong to you, and those reasons matter."

Eira felt herself relax slightly, only then realizing how tense she had been. Leander noticed that too.

"But."

There it was, the inevitable word she had been waiting for.

His eyes finally shifted toward her.

"Whatever decision you make next, it should be based on truth."

The wind carried the words away for a moment before they returned.

"Not fear."

He paused briefly.

"Not anger."

The cliffs curved ahead, and through the thinning fog something began to emerge in the distance: a tall, weathered tower standing alone against the sea.

Eira recognized it immediately.

The old lighthouse visible from Silverwake's harbor.

For several moments she simply stared at it. The structure looked ancient, older than many castles, as though it had stood watching the sea long before the city itself had ever existed.

Leander followed her gaze.

"We're almost there."

"What does a lighthouse have to do with answers?"

The corner of his mouth lifted slightly, though it never became a full smile.

"Very little."

Eira frowned because that was not reassuring in the slightest.

The path widened as they approached the tower, leaving them surrounded by little more than stone, wind, and sea.

Leander dismounted first and then looked up toward the weathered structure rising above them. For a moment he seemed unexpectedly thoughtful, almost reluctant.

When he finally spoke, his voice was quieter than before.

"You told me that you're tired of people making decisions for you."

Eira climbed down from her horse.

"Yes."

Leander nodded slowly.