Page 87 of Salt Between the Wolves

There was no accusation in the question, no anger, only dread, because whatever answer followed, Maelin already understood one thing: nothing about this situation was small. Whatever had driven Eira across half the continent alone had been serious enough to leave behind a husband, a pack, and an entire life.

The realization settled between them like a gathering storm, and neither sister seemed eager to be the first to step into it.

The silence that followed felt different from the ones before, lacking the uncertainty and fragility that had marked their earlier conversations. Something had settled between them, and for the first time since arriving at the tower, Maelin knew exactly where Eira stood.

The answer had been simple and unwavering: she had no hesitation, no doubt, and no desire to return.

Eira watched her sister lower her gaze to the snow gathered between the fallen stones.

For several moments, Maelin said nothing while the wind stirred the loose strands of pale hair that had escaped her braid. One hand rested absently against the curve of her stomach while the other traced the weathered edge of the stone beside her as she thought, calculated, and worried exactly as Eira remembered.

Eventually Maelin lifted her head.

"Where were you planning to go?"

The question caught her off guard, and Eira blinked before answering.

"I don't know."

A faint crease appeared between Maelin's brows.

"You don't know."

"I knew where I needed to leave."

The answer sounded more reasonable in her head than it did aloud, and the expression on Maelin's face suggested she agreed.

"You crossed half the mountains alone."

Eira shrugged.

"I managed."

"That isn't the point."

For the first time, frustration slipped into her sister's voice, though it was rooted not in anger but in fear.

"You could have died."

The words landed harder than expected because Eira knew they were true. The storm, the fall, and the lonely roads winding through unfamiliar country had all presented dangers, and a dozen things could have gone wrong, some of which nearly had.

"I didn't."

Maelin stared at her before laughing softly, not because anything was amusing but because there seemed to be no other response.

"You sound exactly the same."

"And you sound exactly like yourself."

"Someone has to."

The reply came immediately, and although a trace of warmth lingered between them, concern quickly returned.

"Do you at least have money?"

Eira hesitated, and that hesitation was answer enough.

Gods.