Page 124 of Salt Between the Wolves

Nobody appeared intimidated by him. They clearly respected him, but there was none of the careful tension that always seemed to surround powerful men. No one measured every word before speaking, and no one watched him for signs of anger or offense.

The realization unsettled her more than it should have.

Then Leander looked up.

The conversation continued around him and the room remained noisy, yet somehow she felt the exact moment his attention found her.

His gaze settled on her without surprise or curiosity, as though he had expected her to be standing there all along.

The laughter around the table gradually faded as one person after another noticed where he was looking, and the room grew quieter—not silent, but suddenly aware.

Leander placed his mug on the table.

For a brief moment nobody spoke.

Then he said, "So."

The single word carried no judgment, challenge, or accusation; it sounded like nothing more than a simple observation.

His eyes remained fixed on hers.

"You're Eira."

Not Lady Eira, not Eira Frostvein, and not Vargan's daughter.

Just Eira.

The simplicity of it caught her off guard.

She inclined her head.

"And you're Leander."

A smile touched the corner of his mouth.

"Good."

The answer was so unexpected that she blinked.

Leander leaned back in his chair.

"I've been hearing about you all day."

Before she could decide how to answer, he glanced toward Aldric.

"Now, feed me properly before we discuss whatever disaster you've dragged me into."

As he reached for another piece of bread, the room exploded into conversation once more.

Aldric closed his eyes, Maelin groaned, and Finn looked entirely unsurprised by the exchange.

To Eira's complete confusion, Lord Leander appeared far more interested in dinner than in the woman whose existence had apparently brought him across half the western territories.

Dinner was served not long afterward.

The long room changed once again as servants appeared carrying steaming dishes, fresh bread, roasted vegetables, and thick bowls of stew rich with herbs and slow-cooked meat.

The journey had clearly left Leander and his men hungry, so for several minutes conversation gave way almost entirely to food, which Eira suspected happened every time travelers returned from the road.