Page 98 of Salt Between the Wolves

The bond remained quiet—not gone and never truly absent, but distant enough that she could acknowledge its presence without being consumed by it.

For the first time in longer than she could remember, there was no urgency attached to it, no unanswered question demanding attention, no argument waiting to happen, and no impossible choice looming somewhere on the horizon.

There was only stillness.

Outside the window, fresh snow reflected the morning light, while somewhere deeper within the house a little girl announced something at full volume before being immediately shushed, though the attempt at silence failed almost at once and was followed by another peal of laughter.

Despite herself, Eira smiled, and the expression felt unfamiliar after so long.

Then, with a quiet sigh, she pushed aside the blankets and rose to meet the day.

The smell reached her before the voices did, carrying with it the scent of fresh bread, honey, and something warm and savory that reminded her faintly of the kitchens in Frostvein long before she had been old enough to understand politics and obligations.

Eira followed the aroma through the corridor, descending a narrow staircase that connected the older wing to the main part of the house.

The sounds grew louder with every step, and they were not the formal conversations or measured voices of advisors and nobles she was accustomed to hearing, but rather the sounds of life itself—unorganized, lively, and entirely unconcerned with appearances.

By the time she reached the doorway, she found herself slowing instinctively.

The room beyond was smaller than she expected, yet it felt welcoming. A fire burned brightly in a wide stone hearth, filling the space with warmth, while morning sunlight spilled through the windows, glinting off polished wood and illuminating a table already crowded with food.

Maelin sat at one end of the table.

A boy occupied the seat beside her, concentrating intensely on a piece of bread that he appeared to be carving into some sort of shape, while across from him sat a young girl who seemed physically incapable of remaining still.

At that exact moment, the girl was balancing precariously on one knee while attempting to explain something with both hands, and the older woman seated beside her looked deeply unconvinced.

"And then it landed right here," the girl announced.

"It was a sparrow."

"It was enormous."

"It was a sparrow."

"It looked enormous."

The argument ended the moment she noticed Eira standing in the doorway.

Silence descended upon the table as the girl stared, the boy looked up, and Maelin's expression shifted into visible relief.

"There you are."

Eira stepped inside and, for a moment, felt absurdly self-conscious beneath the attention.

Then the little girl narrowed her eyes as recognition dawned across her face.

"Oh."

The single syllable somehow carried remarkable significance, though Eira had no idea why.

The girl immediately pointed at her.

"You're Mother's secret."

Complete silence followed.

Maelin closed her eyes, the older woman beside the girl covered her mouth, and the boy sighed heavily before lowering his head into one hand.