He’d completely forgotten about Ellitt. But Streak didn’t seem disturbed at all. “’Sa matter?” he mumbled into the fabric. “Prob’ly just some of the servants had a good time in here. Musk’s pretty strong.” For a moment, Volle realized he could skip the whole episode. He could let Streak believe that and go to sleep, warmly tied together, their own musk the overpowering scent in the room, and in the morning he would tell Helfer never to mention Ellitt. But that wouldn’t be right. He could do it, but he would always know, and one day Streak would probably find out. There were enough lies in his life, and he had promised to keep Streak free of them as much as he could. “Listen,” he said softly into Streak’s ear. “Hmm?” The wolf was half-dozing already. “Streak.” Volle nosed him gently. “I have to tell you something.” One blue eye opened and looked at him. With an effort, the white wolf lifted his head. “What’s up?” Volle took a breath. “This is what Helfer and I fought about.”
