“Yes,” he says, “but not one of those.”
She pokes out her bottom lip. “But I want the brown one with the white spots. Can I have it? Please, Uncle Hecky.Please.”
A smile twitches at my mouth as Hector glances over at me.
“Why are you smiling?” he asks.
“Uncle Hecky,” I mouth.
“Don’t.” He groans. “I’m going to hurt Cenric.”
“You should thank him instead.” The smile returns to my lips as I continue. “I might even let you bemyUncle Hecky.”
Adelaide tugs on Hector’s hand. “Let’s get the dog right now.”
He stops walking and nods at a guard standing in front of a nearby shop. “Come here.”
The short man, with a full beard, hurries to where Hector stands. “My lord.”
“Get that dog.” He waves a hand at the one Adelaide wants. “And take it to the palace for Adelaide.”
“Yes, my lord.” The guard runs after the dogs, chasing them down the street. After a moment of chasing, he finally catches up to the brown and white-spotted dog.
Adelaide claps her hands and smiles up at Hector. “Thank you.”
As we continue our stroll, she’s content to look around and point out things she likes.
Hector tugs me closer to him and lowers his voice. “Hello, wife.”
Fat snowflakes fall against my cheeks and cling to his hair as I stare up at him.
“So, you will not greet me?” he teases.
I skirt around a group of children playing with a floppy-eared dog. “How should I greet you?”
“Properly.” Hector tucks my cloak closer.
“Hello, my annoying, bossy husband.”
A smirk pulls at the corner of his mouth. “Do you mean handsome, dashing husband?”
I roll my eyes at him. “I could just call you Uncle Hecky.”
“If you do, I’ll call you button.”
“Button?” My nose scrunches up. “You’re not going to be one of those annoying men who gives me a silly nickname, are you?”
“No, Sol. You don’t require any other name.” The affection in his voice sends a flutter to my heart.
Everly steps from a nearby shop, walks to where we stand, and smiles. “I want to steal Sol for a while.”
Sunlight glints off Hector’s bracers as he folds his arms. “Why?”
“To take her shopping. She has very little things.” Boldly, Everly holds out her hand. “Give me coin for her.”
Surprise sweeps over me when he reaches into his cloak and pulls free a leather bag and drops it into Everly’s outstretched palm. “Spend it all on her.”
Hector nods at me and walks away with Adelaide, his cloak trailing behind him in a heroic billow.
