Swiftcurrent Creek tomorrow’s kings

Eti, Cambria repeated, his tone fond. I feel like that’s my cue to say, ‘call me Cam!’ But nobody’s ever called me that. I’ve never had a nickname, actually, although I imagine my mute pack mates probably have an assortment of them only they know…

He swished his tail. Etienne didn’t want to be titled, which wasn’t surprising. One didn’t have to know him long to recognize that he was a humble man. And he wore his heart on his sleeve, from what Cambria could tell. All of these traits just further endeared the Dragonling to him.

He’d noted something else about him and asked presently, You live here with your nieces and nephews, right? How old are they? I take it you’re a big fan of kids?

Once more, his thoughts stumbled ahead of him. Those pups were so lucky to have him, as Etienne seemed like a brilliant father figure. Did he want kids of his own? Cambria wondered just how that could work, given his sexuality. It wasn’t the first time he’d considered such things, considering his own proclivities, though he’d never given it deep thought.

But even as he awaited Etienne’s answer, something dawned on the yearling: he liked kids and wouldn’t mind some of his own one day.