Page 99 of Salt Between the Wolves
Meanwhile, the little girl looked around in confusion.
"What?"
Eira felt laughter rise before she could stop it, and it was not polite amusement but genuine laughter.
The sound surprised her almost as much as it surprised everyone else.
The girl's face brightened immediately.
"I knew it."
"Knew what?" Maelin asked.
"That she was real."
Eira blinked as the girl pointed again.
"Mother said she had a sister, but I thought she made you up."
The older woman gave up entirely and began laughing, while even Maelin looked dangerously close to joining her.
The boy buried his face in both hands.
"Please stop talking."
"No."
The answer came immediately, and Eira was beginning to understand the household dynamic.
"Sit down before she says something worse," Maelin advised.
"That sounds ominous."
"It is."
Eira obeyed and took the chair beside Maelin, which had already been prepared for her.
As soon as she sat down, the little girl leaned forward eagerly.
"I'm Lyra."
The announcement carried all the confidence of a queen introducing herself to foreign dignitaries.
"Eira."
"I know."
Of course she did.
The boy looked considerably more cautious.
"Finn."
His voice held the quiet reserve of someone who had already learned that speaking less often prevented trouble.
Eira smiled.
"It's good to meet both of you."
