"Pick me up, Papa," she demanded.
Kaelus hesitated for a fraction of a second, his pride warring with his desperate need to hold her.
Pride lost instantly.
He reached down, scooping her up into his arms, settling her securely against his chest.
He immediately adjusted his posture, ensuring no part of his armor was poking her, wrapping his warm cape around her shoulders.
Seraphina wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face into his collar.
"Auntie Lysa is very nice, and she smells like vanilla and milk," Seraphina declared loudly, ensuring Leonidas and Lysandra could hear her.
Kaelus's jaw clenched. "Indeed."
"But she doesn't smell like cold iron and pine trees," Seraphina added, rubbing her cheek against his shoulder. "And she doesn't have a cool sword. And she can't freeze fire mages. I like cool metal better."
The oppressive, freezing tension radiating from Kaelus evaporated instantly.
