Page 84 of Salt Between the Wolves

The years between them seemed to hang in the air.

Finally, Maelin let out a shaky breath.

"You cut your hair."

The words were so absurdly ordinary that Eira almost laughed, though instead her throat tightened.

"You noticed that?"

"I noticed everything."

The answer came immediately, exactly the way it would have years ago.

Something inside Eira cracked, though not painfully—almost gently.

Maelin smiled, and suddenly she looked less like a noblewoman, less like a wife and mother, and more like the sister Eira remembered: the sister who used to sneak sweets into her room, who used to cover for her when she wandered where she wasn't supposed to, and who had always stood between her and the world whenever she could.

"Eira."

Her name sounded different in Maelin's voice—softer and full of years that had passed too quickly.

Eira crossed the remaining distance before she could stop herself, and Maelin met her halfway.

The embrace nearly undid her.

For one impossible moment neither of them spoke as they simply held on.

The cold wind continued moving through the ruins around them, but Eira barely felt it. All she felt was the familiar warmth of another person—family, the first she had touched in years.

When they finally stepped apart, Maelin immediately reached for her face as though needing to confirm she was real.

"You look terrible."

A startled laugh escaped Eira.

"There she is."

"There who is?"

"My sister."

The corners of Maelin's eyes brightened with tears.

"You disappear for years, arrive out of nowhere looking half-frozen, and that's the first thing you say?"

"It was either that or cry."

"That would have been my choice."

"It usually is."

Maelin swatted her arm lightly, and the gesture was so familiar that Eira almost forgot to breathe.

For a few precious moments, it felt as though nothing had changed at all.

Then Maelin's gaze dropped to the satchel, to the horse waiting below, and finally to the road.

Eira watched the warmth slowly fade from her expression as concern took its place, followed by worry and then something very close to fear.