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"Why did you never tell me? Mrs Coulter," Lyra grimaced at the name, making her father laugh and both their daemons curl their fur in dislike, "said she was not allowed to keep me, but you were right there! Why did you never tell me?" "I stayed," he grimaced, given a sten look by Serafina Pekkala, "well, when I was there, anyway. I never denied you belonged with me. But, it would have been dangerous for you... and I was not ready." He added the last words, given yet another stern look by the witch, who could tell he wasn't being entirely truthful without her prompting. Well, he could not be expected to change overnight, said clanleading witch concluded. He was doing just fine, all things considered.
"But, I would have loved to have you as my father!" Lyra objected, still half-lying in her father's lap. After a second of hesitation, Lord Asriel replied, making Serafina proud with his words. "It might not feel like it to you, Lyra," he offered, "but you are still very young. I can be here now. And I am. Now go back to sleep. It is..." realising he did not keep the time very faithfully up here, he finished with words that would have been sheepish, coming from anyone but him and his powerful presence, "still too early for you to be awake."
"You're lucky. For her, and for her easily forgiving temper. And for her not knowing what you intended here," Serafina noted with some harshness as the child had gone back to joining her friend in sleep. Lord Asriel looked up from his daughter, sleeping so peacefully in his lap, rising in a smooth motion."
"Yes." The admission must have cost him, so Serafina did not press him, as he went to carry his daughter to bed, not for the first time - though the times had been too few - but at the same time the very first time. He'd never again tuck in, speak to or ignore his niece, but Serafina got the impression he did not consider this a loss. Nor should he. They stayed in the warmer rooms below stairs all night.
They had many things to plan, during the next few days, but there was time. Soon enoguh, she'd have to fly with word, decisions had to be made and actions taken. For now, Serafina allowed herself a brief respite, here, in the warmth which felt like a kind of family she'd never had - man, woman and child.