Page 95 of Tell No Tales
It wasn't a confession of love, but it was close enough to the truth for Klaus to accept it. The kiss tapered off as they both caught their breath. Once Vadim's cock slipped out of him, Klaus wriggled and rested his head against Vadim's shoulder. It was so peaceful in his arms.
He didn't even notice when Vadim adjusted beneath him, but he felt the tingle of a healing spell along his stiff spine and through his hips. He didn't consent to heal the ache where he still wanted to feel it, in his loose hole and well-pounded prostate.
He fell asleep feeling safe and sated, two things he never thought he'd experience. Now, having them both at the same time forever seemed within reach, if only he could convince Vadim to stay.
Chapter 23
Vadim
It was hard leaving Trin behind, but Vadim didn't want to put the young earth weaver's life in danger. Yvette had found a dress to accentuate her slim form, and she looked the picture of youth and inexperience with fresh tears in her eyes.
"We will come back for you," he promised. "Wait for us in the tunnel outside the tower."
"Someone will spot me," she said. "I'll be quiet, I promise."
"If you come with us, and we die, we'll be handing you back to Coryn on a platter. That's not what I want for you."
"I can help!" she insisted. "I was trained in earth weaves. I can shake the earth or build a wall around us if there are too many enemies."
"If you're worried about someone seeing you in the tunnel—"
"I thought death weavers cared about consent." Trin glared at him. "You said I would be able to make my own decisions."
"You can, when we get to—"
"I want to come with you. I don't want to be recaptured and beaten by the other kids while you go after General Coryn. If I'm going to die, at least I would die doing something worthwhile. Here, I'm just a toy they like to kick around."
His eyes stung from the anguish in her voice. "You are not a toy." Fuck. He was going to regret this, he was certain. "Do you promise to help Ray with Martiz until we need him?"
Her face brightened with hope as she nodded.
"And you won't make a sound?"
"I promise!" She hugged him, knocking the air from his lungs. "Thank you! Thank you, Uncle Vadim!"
"I'm no one's uncle." He would be her guardian, though. He'd arrange it with Efren once they were back on the ship. If they made it. Gods, what was he even doing? He knew better than to plan for the future.
"What would you have me call you, then?" she asked.
"Vadim is fine."
She stepped back and smoothed the front of her dress. "Thank you, Vadim. I won't let you down."
He nodded to excuse himself and returned to the room. He leaned against the door and fought to calm his nerves. So much was riding on their success. If they failed, they wouldn't get another chance to free Hugo. Coryn would simply kill the young emperor. He'd been nothing but a figurehead since Empress Delilah's passing.
If they died, who would warn Efren? For a moment, Vadim considered sending Trin in the air ship with Roy and Ray. Nola could steal a boat if they lived, and they could still catch up withStarlight Specter.
He wasn't willing to risk it. Not yet.
"You worry too much." Klaus pulled him from the door with both hands clasped around his wrists and dragged him toward the bare mattress. He forced Vadim to sit and handed him a sandwich that had been precariously perched on top of his bag.
"We all need to eat to keep up our strength."
The bread was stale, but the sharp cheese and tangy meat more than made up for it. Vadim felt ravenous in a way he hadn't before. Healing Hugo had taken that much out of him.
Klaus flopped onto the mattress on his side. "When you healed Mewskers, did it drain your energy?"
Vadim didn't like the way Klaus so easily followed his thoughts when he was still blocking their link.
