Hector's hands worked quickly, surrounding Emma in a silky red material.
He was making a rather long cape with a hood, which reminded her of her favorite storybook character as a child.
With his face still a bit banged up, he still worked diligently, making a beautiful piece around March's deceased sister's clothes. She looked very nice, and she could tell Hector was rather pleased with himself.
Emma heard March and Wilbur chatting in the front of the store, drinking the coffee March had made earlier.
"Is it comfortable?" Hector fussed a bit with the way the silk fell over her shoulder.
"Very." Emma smiled. She caught a glance of herself in the mirror. She did look extraordinary in a way only Hector could achieve.
Hector stood before Emma, looking down at her. She looked up to him, leaning a bit more on the stool she sat on.
"I'm sorry you can't stay here."Hector said, his hands on her cheeks.
"It's okay..." Emma shrugged. A nice place to keep a sense of continuity is nice, but her dream had to have a thousand places to visit.
"I would much rather have you here with me. Wilbur Isn't going to do anything but hurt you." He leaned his forehead against hers. "I promise that I will never hurt you."
"Hector..."
Before she said anything, his mouth was on hers, cutting off what she was going to say.
She didn't know how to react, and definitely didn't want to pull away. She was completely confused. She didn't know him long enough to develop any kind of romantic feelings for him. He was very, very attractive, but she knew the difference between lust and romance.
He pressed harder, his hands moving to her hips. She still couldn't collect herself. Her thoughts went in a thousand different directions.
He suddenly pulled away, his hand going to his mouth. His lip must have started bleeding again. He grabbed a piece of scrap cloth, and pressed it to his lip.
Emma walked over to him, a bit concerned. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah," he pulled the cloth away. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay..." Emma murmured, wrapping the cape around herself a bit more.
"It looks nice on you." He smiled.
She smiled in the couple of silent moments shared between the two.
There was no way to read Hector, she discovered. He was about as random as random could be. He seemed like a nice guy, but she couldn't really tell. The cat's words ran through her head again.
"I promise I'll steal you away again. I won't let anyone harm you, I promise. I'll always have a place here for you." Emma was pulled into a tight hug, and she hugged him back. His scent was comforting.
He kissed her forehead, and pulled away. "No matter how stupid the rabbit is, he knows his army. I'm sure they'll suspect you're here. Once this dies down a bit I'll have you in my arms once again."
Emma nodded. She wasn't sure if that would happen. This was a long enough dream as it was, world she even have time to see him again?
The two walked back to the front of the store and Wilbur was at his feet quickly.
"You had better take care of her, rabbit, or it'll be me at the end of the executioner's axe." Hector spat.
"She's in better hands now, hatter."
Wilbur turned to his cousin. "I would hope to see you soon, cousin."
March nodded, taking another sip of his coffee.
Wilbur then turned to Emma. "Put your hood up, please, I'd like to take you to the castle as soon as possible."
Emma did so, trying to hide as much of her face as possible.
The white rabbit grabbed her hand and lead her outside.
The street were relatively empty, but before them was two large, white horses dressed in red.
On one of the horses, a knight in full white armour sat. He spoke, but Emma didn't understand him.
"No, this isn't her. We'll have to keep looking." Wilbur replied, helping Emma to the saddle of the horse, then pulling himself up behind her.
The knight spoke again, but Emma still couldn't understand.
Wilbur pulled on the reins, causing the horse to let out a loud noise, before sprinting off to the large castle slowly appearing through the fog of the distance.