Page 142 of Salt Between the Wolves

"But I'm a mother too."

Nothing else needed to be said because Eira understood. She had understood from the beginning.

The realization didn't make it hurt any less, but it did make it impossible to argue.

They stood together in silence for a long moment before Maelin finally reached for her hand. The gesture was simple, familiar, and unmistakably sisterly.

"I don't want you to go."

Eira squeezed her fingers gently.

"I know."

"But I think he's right."

There it was—the truth neither of them wanted and neither of them could deny.

For the first time since Leander's proposal, Eira allowed herself to consider the possibility that she might already know her answer.

The evening settled over the house gradually.

Lanterns were lit one by one as daylight faded beyond the windows, casting warm pools of gold across the long room while shadows gathered quietly in the corners.

Nothing about the evening felt unusual, and that was precisely what made it memorable.

No discussions of politics followed, and there was no mention of Frostvein, Ironfang, fathers, councils, alliances, or consequences.

For a few precious hours, the world beyond the estate seemed to retreat into the distance.

Lyra spent most of dinner attempting to convince everyone that her wooden wolf had been unfairly accused.

The details of the dispute became increasingly difficult to follow, and at one point the wolf appeared to be defending a mountain, while later it was apparently responsible for stealing a boat.

By dessert, Eira suspected that even Lyra no longer remembered the original crime.

Aldric listened to the entire explanation with remarkable seriousness, whereas Leander clearly did not.

"The wolf is clearly guilty."

Lyra gasped.

"You weren't even listening."

"I heard enough."

"That's not possible."

"It rarely is."

The discussion continued for another ten minutes before Finn eventually buried his face in his hands.

"I would like the record to show that I disagree with everyone."

"No one asked."

"I know."

The boy sounded genuinely offended, which only made Eira laugh again.