Page 137 of Salt Between the Wolves

"Mm."

"Travelers."

Another nod followed.

"Wagons."

Leander rested his forearms against the railing.

"Most people think rulers spend their days making decisions."

Eira glanced toward him.

"And they don't?"

"Not really."

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"Mostly we spend them dealing with consequences."

The answer sounded almost disappointing, yet somehow she suspected it was true.

His gaze remained fixed on the valley below as the wind stirred his coat.

"Every decision becomes someone else's problem eventually, and every problem becomes mine."

Eira studied him.

"You make that sound exhausting."

"It is."

The answer came far too quickly, and for the first time, she laughed.

Leander sighed dramatically.

"See? Nobody believes me."

A brief silence followed before his expression grew thoughtful.

"Right now, you're a consequence."

The words landed strangely, not cruel or insulting, but merely honest.

Eira raised an eyebrow.

"That's a charming thing to say."

"I didn't say you were a problem."

"No?"

"No."

Leander looked toward her.

"A consequence."