Page 14 of Tears of the Wolf
Lost pup,Snapper said.
Cenric closed his eyes and clamped his mouth shut, still trying not to wake Brynn.You arenother puppy.
Snapper’s response was almost sarcastic. He sent back an image of himself curled against Brynn. He wasn’t her puppy, but he could fill the empty space.
“She doesn’t want you there,” Cenric whispered. “She doesn’t like you.”
Friend,Snapper argued. As far as he was concerned, everyone liked him until proved otherwise.
Cenric pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to think of a way to extricate the dog without waking Brynn. He should have left Snapper with Edric last night. This marriage was off to a difficult start already, even without his dog harassing his new wife.
But Snapper went everywhere with him. He hadn’t even thought about it until it was too late.
Snapper huffed, settling back down. Was he going to make Cenric drag him off the bed?
As best Cenric could tell, Snapper understood Brynn missed her son and was trying to help. But Cenric wasn’t even sure if Brynn liked dogs, much less a dyrehund currently trying to be her surrogate baby.
“Snapper!” Cenric growled. “Get off her!”
Snapper woofed, hopping up on his forelegs.
“Shh, let her sleep.” Cenric stood, pushing off the cloak he had used as a blanket. “Snapper, let’s go.”
Snapper leapt off the bed, joining Cenric across the room.Go?
Go,Cenric agreed, pushing aside the trunk he’d used to block the door.
Brynn still appeared asleep when Cenric led the way to look for his men. He’d rather not stay in Ungamot longer than he needed. Winter was fast approaching and there was much work to be done back home. And maybe once they were out of this place devoid of mountains and forests, he could sort things out with Brynn.
Edric,Cenric sent to the dog.Find Edric.
Edric!Snapper responded with an image of the small thane. He led the way, tail wagging.
Snapper led Cenric to Edric, asleep on the floor of the king’s great hall. His other man lay on their blankets nearby along with other visitors to the king’s keep. The roaring central fire had died down to embers overnight and several boys were shoveling away the coals.
Cenric shook his shoulder and Edric jumped, one of his many knives out in an instant. “It’s me.”
“You should know better than to startle me awake.” Edric waved his knife at Cenric like a chiding finger. “I could have gotten you square in the gut.”
Cenric didn’t bother asking how Edric had smuggled a weapon into the main hall. “Rouse the men. We’re leaving as soon as I can speak with the king.”
“Doesn’t your pretty wife need time to get ready?” Edric rubbed his eyes, a mischievous smirk taking shape on his mouth. “How was she, by the way?”
Cenric stood and kicked Edric’s shoulder this time.
“What? That bad?” His brows quirked. “Or perhaps that good?”
Cenric landed another kick to Edric’s hip.
“I’m up. I’m up!” Edric clambered off the ground. “Any particular reason for your hurry?”
“We need to get home. I don’t like this.”
Edric yawned, stretching his back. “I take it you learned some things on your wedding night?”
“Very little. Where’s Kalen?”
Edric pointed to a lump just a few bedrolls over. “I think the lad drank his weight in wine last night. First time he’s had the stuff.”
