Page 316 of Salt Between the Wolves

"You are awake."

His voice was rough with sleep.

Eira turned her head enough to glance over her shoulder. Soren's eyes remained closed.

"You didn't even open your eyes."

"I didn't need to."

The answer sounded suspiciously smug for someone who was barely conscious, and Eira laughed softly.

Two months ago she would have found this version of him impossible to imagine. The Alpha of Ironfang, feared across the North, apparently believed that if he ignored the morning long enough it might go away.

"I have things to do."

The arm around her tightened again.

"No."

She raised an eyebrow.

"No?"

"No."

His face remained buried in her hair.

"The council can survive one morning without me."

"I'm not going to the council."

One eye opened, and that seemed to get his attention.

"You're not?"

"No."

There was a brief pause before he said, "Good."

Eira laughed again, and this time Soren finally opened both eyes.

The sight still caught her off guard sometimes, not because he was handsome, but because he looked younger like this—less like an Alpha, less like the man who carried the weight of an entire fortress on his shoulders, and more like the man only a handful of people ever saw. The man who occasionally forgot where he had left important documents, who pretended not to enjoy teasing her despite doing it constantly, and who had once crossed half the North for her and somehow still looked surprised whenever she chose him in return.

"You're staring."

"I'm observing."

"Dangerous habit."

"So I've been told."

Soren leaned forward and pressed a brief kiss against her temple. The gesture was so casual that it still managed to surprise her, not because it was rare anymore, but because it had become natural, with no hesitation, no uncertainty, no careful negotiation of distance—just them.

The realization settled quietly somewhere inside her. Months had passed since the tower, and the bond no longer felt like a question; it felt like a second heartbeat, present and steady, part of her life rather than something looming over it.

Eira turned in his arms until she faced him properly.

"You should get up."