Page 109 of Tell No Tales
When they landed onStarlight Specterand Stan removed one side of the crate with an earth weave, Nola made quick work of introductions for Trin and Hugo.
"We've cleaned the hold and made some adjustments to the room we were using for Martiz," Stan said.
Hugo stared up at Stan with open wonder, and Klaus had his first inkling of hope. If the emperor was so quickly smitten, maybe he wouldn't stay fixated on Vadim for long.
Olivia approached and introduced herself as Nola's sister and first mate ofStarlight Specter.She received a similar wide-eyed grin from the emperor, as did Hannah. When his gaze fell on Tovey, though, Stan snapped his fingers in his face.
"Time to get you below deck, before you're seen."
Hannah raced back up to the crow's nest, and Olivia stared after Hugo.
"I can't believe you did it," she said. "You'll tell us tonight at dinner, aye?"
"Make it breakfast tomorrow, and it's a deal," Vadim said.
Klaus couldn't bring himself to look at Vadim, but something in his gaze made Olivia smirk as she nodded. "Breakfast, then. Enjoy your evening."
Vadim took his hand and led him below deck, but he left him at the door to their crate.
"I need to make sure Hugo is settled in."
"Tonight?" Klaus knew he was whining, but he couldn't help it.
"Tonight." Vadim bowed his head. "I want to confirm Stan did what he said he would with the hold. He was going to tear down Martiz's crate and hang sail curtains, so it doesn't seem as confining. Hugo has to stay below deck for his own safety, but it shouldn't feel like a prison."
Klaus could understand that, certainly, but, "Why you?"
"I'm the only one he knows," Vadim said. "I want him to know he can trust this crew."
"I'm coming with you." Klaus was still bone-weary, and his mattress called to him, but he couldn't let Vadim go alone.
"I won't stop you." Vadim leaned into him and kissed his temple. "We'll make it quick. You need to rest."
Klaus thought his days of weakness and succumbing to his body's limitations were over, but magical exhaustion was his new reality. He swayed on his feet when Vadim turned away, but he followed at a safe distance with a hand on the wall for support.
They took the ladder from the galley storage room into the true hold. Vadim's hands on his hips steadied him, and he collapsed against him for a moment, tilting his head up for a kiss that never came.
"Soon," Vadim whispered in his ear. "If I kiss you now, I won't stop, and then we'll have something else to explain to Hugo."
Klaus couldn't remember the last time his face had burned so hot. Hugo was right behind them with a hopeful look on his face.
Stan frowned at them. "I was giving him a tour, unless you'd like to take over?"
"No, please. Carry on," Vadim said. "We'll meet you when you're finished."
"What, you don't trust my handiwork?" Stan crossed his arms over his chest to show off his bulging biceps, but he was also grinning from ear to ear.
"I wanted to see the finished product," Vadim said. "I'm more worried about my inadequate description."
"I like it," Hugo said. "Stan said I can eat in the galley with the others! That's where we're headed."
Vadim nodded and dragged Klaus away from the ladder so they could use it to climb up.
"Now I can kiss you," Vadim whispered. His lips were soft and his tongue barely a whisper along the seam of Klaus's lips. He opened for Vadim and slid his hands into Vadim's hair to grip a fistful for connection. He felt the burn of discomfort through their bond, but that only increased Vadim's ardor.
Klaus needed to be closer, so he wrapped his leg around Vadim's hips. Vadim took the hint and lifted him off the ground. His fingers dug into Klaus's ass, but he didn't care. It felt so good to wrap his legs around Vadim and kiss him for all he was worth.
"Ahem."
