Chapter 24: Through the Gate

The coat fit me almost perfectly, and I did not ask why that surprised me.

It was heavy green canvas with a worn wool lining, and the cuffs had been turned back by someone with bigger hands.

I put it on in front of the lodge, in the grey morning, with half the pack watching.

Alaric stood on the porch steps with the Penhale seal on a cord around his neck.

He did not come down. He lifted one hand, and I lifted mine.

That was all, and it was enough.

Beatrix came across the yard alone.

She had a steel thermos in her hands, and her hair was cut short and ragged.

Someone had given her a work coat that was too big.

"It's the cocoa," she said. "With the cardamom."

"Thank you."

"I'm not asking for anything."

"I know."

"I'm going to be here, Tilda. Working. Under his law, in front of all of them."

"I thought you might want to know someone is."

I took the thermos.

It was still hot.

I held it against my chest, and I did not say it was all right, because it was not.

"I'll be back in December," I said.

"Yes," my sister said. "I know."

It was not forgiveness.

It was a door left open the width of a hand, and we both looked at it.

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