Page 67 of The Sun He Buried

Baldr’s head turns.

I open the door.

Asta’s hand closes around my arm. “Absolutely not.”

“There’s a baby.”

“There’s a Sanguir.”

“A baby Sanguir.”

“That didn’t improve it.”

I pull once. She holds on.

Outside, a guard prods the dead animal with the end of his spear. White fur moves again.

A tiny paw reaches out.

“Asta.”

She looks at the paw.

Her fingers tighten once around my sleeve.

Then she lets go and reaches for the folded blanket behind us. “I’m coming with you.”

I’m out of the carriage before she finishes.

My boots hit the frozen road. The left one slides. I catch the door frame, keep both feet, and run toward the wreck.

“Sól.”

Baldr reaches me before I reach the body. His hands close around my waist and lift me off the ground.

“Put me down.”

“No.”

“There’s a baby under her.”

“I saw it.”

“Then put me down closer.”

He holds me against his side. “You are not touching it.”

The little paw appears again. Its claws catch the dead animal’s fur and pull.

It can’t get out.

I stop fighting Baldr.

“Please.”

The little paw catches the blue fur again and slips.

Baldr swears under his breath.