Page 92 of Tell No Tales
"Coryn's never been big on studying," Yvette said. "I can't see her suddenly being a spectral master, all because she's found a spectral weaver to latch onto."
Still, the rest of their walk back to the dorm was unusually quiet while they kept their thoughts to themselves.
Chapter 22
Vadim
Vadim couldn't get the image of too-thin Hugo out of his head. Before Delilah's death, he'd been square through his shoulders and bulky like his father. He still had a nice form, though lean.
It didn't fit, though. What had eaten away at him? Was Coryn not feeding him? Or was Hugo on a hunger strike?
Hugo had been ready to stab the dagger right through his fucking arm, too. No wonder they'd kept all semblance of a weapon away from him. He wasn't even allowed to use practice weapons, for fear he'd find a way to injure himself with them.
The emperor had collapsed against him in a display of trust. Vadim hoped that trust would last. Tomorrow, he would give Hugo the ultimate test, along with himself. Was Mewskers a fluke? He hoped not.
Klaus was unusually quiet on the walk back. The silence seemed to take on an oppressive personality of its own once they reemerged from the tunnel into Vadim's old dorm room. Nola and Yvette left with a backward wave, and then they were alone.
Klaus pounced on him, pawing at his shirt as their mouths collided. He shoved Vadim against the wall beside the window with such force, Vadim was grateful for the earth weaves holding the false wall in place.
He melted into the kiss, stroking Klaus's cheek with one hand and gripping the other at his waist. They fit so perfectly together, and it went beyond their link.
Their link. Fuck. Vadim had been blocking it since they left the palace, not knowing Klaus had been digging himself a hole of inferiority while comparing himself to Emperor Hugo.
"And he's taller than me, the fucker. I'm sure he'll regain the weight he's lost. He'll look more like Hesse once his face fills out."
"Hey."
Klaus pulled back and averted his eyes.
Vadim grabbed his chin and forced him to meet his gaze. "He's a child."
"He's Niall's age."
Vadim nodded. "Like I said, a child."
"I'm only two years older. Is that how you see me?"
"Fuck no." Vadim wanted to reassure Klaus, but he was failing miserably. "He's family," he tried again.
"He's fucking beautiful. Why didn't you tell me that?"
"I don't see it." He didn't see Hugo that way. He never had, not since he'd met the boy at age seven and they'd bonded over killing bad people like Coryn. "You have no reason to be jealous."
"He's living for you. He wants you. Didn't you hear him?"
Vadim thought back to the silliness Hugo had been spouting when he should have been listening to the plan."I knew you would come! You're here! Gods, Vadim, please take me away from this place and make me yours. I don't even care if I'm emperor if I can be with you."
"Fuck."
Klaus snorted. "Fuck me, you mean."
"I'd like that, yes." Klaus's jealousy sparked fierce desire in Vadim's chest, and lower. He would gladly act on it.
Klaus blinked. "What?"
"I'm not interested in Hugo. I never have been. If he's interested in me, I'll do my best to let him down easily, but that's not my main concern."
Klaus stared at him. "It should be. He's going to consent to—"
