Page 292 of Salt Between the Wolves

The observation caught her off guard, as she had expected an argument about strategy, not that.

"I slept."

"You traveled through winter mountains."

"That wasn't the question."

"No."

Soren gathered several reports from the table and added, "It wasn't."

For a moment neither spoke, while the bond sat quietly between them, present and steady, no longer empty.

Eira had spent so long growing accustomed to its absence that its return felt stranger than she expected, not overwhelming or distracting, but simply there as a constant awareness she could never quite ignore, like standing near a fire after weeks in the cold.

Soren stepped around the table and said, "Come."

"That sounded suspiciously like an order."

"It was."

"I'll treasure the honesty."

The corner of his mouth moved again, definitely amusement this time.

"Good."

He pushed aside the tent flap, letting cold air rush inside, while night had already settled across the pass, torches burned throughout the camp, snow drifted through darkness, and the sounds of soldiers preparing evening meals carried across the wind.

For a while they walked in silence, which was neither awkward nor comfortable, but something in between, the kind that existed when too many things remained unsaid.

Eventually they reached a smaller tent positioned near the command pavilion, not part of the officers' section but not far away either, close enough to remain protected and far enough to provide privacy.

Soren stopped and said, "This one."

Eira studied it and then looked at him.

"You planned this."

"Yes."

"Before I arrived."

"Yes."

The answer settled somewhere unexpectedly warm, which irritated her immediately, while Soren seemed entirely unconcerned.

"There are supplies inside."

"You sound very confident I intended to stay."

He looked at her for several seconds, long enough to make the answer unnecessary.

Eira sighed and said, "Fine."

"An inspiring display of commitment."

"Careful."