Page 120 of Salt Between the Wolves

The simple answer irritated her more than it should have.

She adjusted the strap of her pack.

"Leander is coming."

"Yes."

"I don't know him."

"No."

Eira hesitated before continuing.

"And if my being here creates problems for you?"

Maelin regarded her quietly.

"For whom?"

"For all of you."

The answer came more sharply than she intended.

"For you. For Aldric. For the children."

Something softened in her sister's expression.

"Eira, do you truly believe Aldric would allow anyone to threaten his family without a fight?"

Despite herself, Eira felt the corner of her mouth twitch.

"No."

"I don't either."

The faint smile disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.

"That isn't the point."

"No," Maelin agreed. "It isn't."

For a moment neither of them spoke.

Then Maelin stepped closer.

"You've spent so many years anticipating consequences that you've forgotten not all of them arrive."

Eira looked away.

The words landed uncomfortably close to the truth.

"If Leander proves untrustworthy, we'll deal with that when the time comes," Maelin continued. "But right now you're preparing to leave because of something that hasn't happened and may never happen."

"And if it does?"

"Then we'll face it."

There was no bravado in her voice.