Page 131 of Salt Between the Wolves

Leander considered this and then nodded.

"Of course there were."

The answer was so matter-of-fact that she almost laughed.

His gaze returned to the mare, and one hand rested briefly against the animal's shoulder with the ease of someone experienced rather than merely familiar, a man who clearly understood horses.

"A sensible choice."

The mare accepted the attention without complaint.

"Not the fastest horse in Ironfang."

"No."

"Not the strongest."

"No."

"Not the most impressive."

Eira narrowed her eyes.

"I'm beginning to sense an insult."

A smile appeared on his face, small and brief before disappearing almost immediately.

"Not at all."

His hand dropped away from the mare.

"Just a survivor."

The words settled between them, and something about the way he said them made Eira suspect he was no longer speaking about the horse.

For a while, neither of them spoke as the mare returned to her hay, apparently satisfied that Eira had not vanished overnight.

Leander watched the horse for a moment before asking,

"What did you miss most?"

Eira frowned, caught off guard by a question that seemed to arrive from nowhere.

"During the journey?"

"No."

His gaze remained fixed on the horse.

"During your life."

She stared at him.

"That's an absurdly large question."

"Most useful questions are."

The answer came to her immediately, which was irritating enough to make her fold her arms more tightly across her chest.