Chapter 21

“Yes,” I said. “My name is Elowen.”

Her eyes went cool and far away. It was the look Luna Delphine used to give a girl who had come up the wrong stairs: not angry yet, only deciding. My wolf hated it.

“Are you cooking for him?”

“I wanted to make him breakfast before he woke up.”

“Darling, no one’s awake.”

“I’m aware.”

She went on looking. At my bare feet. The trousers rolled three times at the waist. At the shirt. At the side of my neck, where I had not thought to put my hair.

“Oh,” she said. “Oh, finally.”

And she hugged me.

She was a good deal stronger than she looked. My ribs creaked. She held me at arm’s length afterward, and all the lines in her face had turned the other way.

“I’m sorry, dear. I didn’t expect you down so soon. I thought he’d bring home some little thing who’d want her eggs carried up on a tray. And look at you.” She tasted the batter again. “You can cook.”

I didn’t know what to do with my