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There was a fire already burning in the grate when they’d arrived Daet cleaned up first, then took his own shower to get rid of the caked-onto disappear, sinking behind the mountains that surrounded the narrow valley

"Where are we?"

"Norway"

"Yeah, I figured"

He took a seat by the fire "We’re in the Nordfjord Sari’s family has had this property for hundreds of years It used to be just a se they used for holidays Very private Her family was always very private They liked their own space and never took well to living in retreats After the Rending, after we lost… so athered other Irina but didn’t kno , yes I came here before When ere first mated" He looked out theat the lake in the base of the valley "We spent tiether I’m one of the few Irin scribes who even knows this place exists We’re safe here; I’m sure of it"

"When was the last ti his shoulder-length hair near the fire

"It’s been years We used to try to meet in other places" He frowned "But it was too… It’s co She could sense how painful the topic was, despite his natural stoicism

"Does she really hate you so much?"

He looked up, his elbows propped on his knees, and his eyes burned with pride "She hates me as she lovesby halves"

"Are they all angry? Are all the Irina angry like Sari?"

"No Maybe" He took a deep breath and sat back "There’s not a simple answer And there are so few Irina in most places I am… not the best person to explain"

"Try I need to understand"

He absently rubbed his cheek where his mate had struck him The wound had already healed, but a faint shadow remained

"You can see hoerful they are The Irina, I ht of her power, trained by her elders, can wield frightening e the course of the wind Render a strong --"