“I know,” he replied quietly. “That’s why you acted.”

At the mention of the birds, Avenant glanced up and then frowned just a little. “They shouldn’t be singing,” he said. “Cold like this drives them south or makes them silent.” 

When the book slipped from her hands, he noticed it immediately.
 
“We need to keep that book safe,” he said. “It’s not just a storybook. If your grandmother brought it here, then it knows this world better than we do.”

He adjusted his hold again, careful not to touch her wound. “You’re doing more right than you realize,” he added. “Protecting others. Paying attention. You are here for a reason.”

The cabin was only a few steps away now. Avenant angled his body to shield her from the wind as they approached the doorway. “Once we’re inside, you sit. No arguing,” he said simply. “You should probably sleep.”