Page 72 of Suffer No Fools
"We'll get you back to bed soon enough," Tovey promised, answering his thoughts with words like it was commonplace. Hugo was glad. He didn't have the energy. With Tovey, he didn't have to speak.
Hugo had almost drifted to sleep against Tovey's shoulder when Stan and the others returned fromStarlight Specter.A quick glance at the beach showed the ship was back in the water where she belonged. Trin and Renald stood on the path beside the barracks, waiting for Jasmine to catch up with them. Trin took their hands, and they walked into the shadows together.
"Has Vadim adopted all three of them?" Hugo wondered aloud.
"Any word from the captain?" Stan asked as he approached the bonfire.
"They're still up there." Tovey pointed at the disabled enemy ship.
"We should take Hugo home," Stan said.
"No." Hugo tried to stand, but Tovey held him down. He grabbed Stan's hand instead. "Please. I need to know my friends are safe and the Glamierians are locked up somewhere before I can sleep."
"What about Beatrice's wards on the house?" Tovey asked. "I thought it was protected."
"It was," Stan said. "Bea isn't a spectral weaver anymore, so she can't bolster them."
"Fuck, the rain showers," Tovey said. "The wards probably dissolved a week ago, and I never thought to have Niall check them."
"We can worry about that later," Hugo said. "I ... I can't be without you. Please. Sit. Stay with me. Hold me."
"Of course, baby." Stan scooped him into his arms the same way Tovey had on the beach and took his spot on the log, shifting Hugo so his back was pressed flat against Stan's side and his sail-wrapped behind was nestled between Stan's and Tovey's hips. His bent knees rested against Tovey's chest, and his bare feet tapped the log on Tovey's other side.
"Thank you," he whispered.
Tovey kissed his temple. "Whatever it takes, we won't let anyone take you from us again."
"Promise you won't let them take you away, either," Hugo said. "Not Elder Beatrice, not Captain Efren."
"Efren knows better." Tovey's voice was a low growl. "Beatrice only wants what's best for Embertide. Demonstrate your flying fire display, and she'll ship you off to fight Coryn all by yourself."
"You'll come with me, though." Hugo couldn't help his needy whine. He had to hear them say it.
"Aye, we will," Stan said.
"Aye," Tovey echoed.
Hugo couldn't stop thanking them, though he couldn't tell if he spoke the words, or if he only thought them in his head and received more gentle affirmations the same way. Stan was so warm, and Tovey's rhythmic kneading of his calves lulled him to sleep.
The next time he woke, the fire had burned down, and the sky was starting to turn gray. He was still pressed up against Stan's broad chest, but Tovey was somewhere behind him.
"He's talking to Efren,"Stan confirmed through their bond."Sleep, baby. We'll get you home soon. Efren's already promised to hold them for a day and a night to let them thinkabout what they've done, and we've refused to meet with any new dignitaries until after we've dealt with these assholes."
Hugo liked the sound of that. He wanted to sleep for a full day and night before he had to confront his abductors.
#
Stan
They were finally home. It was almost noon, and Stan still had a long way to go before he could sleep. He locked the windows with airtight earth weaves in both their shared bedroom and Hugo's personal room with his closet and trunks. He spelled the entire floor to squeak at the slightest pressure. Certain no one would sneak upstairs and take Hugo again, he headed back to the kitchen.
Tovey paced in front of the patio door. Efren leaned against the kitchen counter like he still owned the place. Stan slid into the chair at the table furthest from the patio door and waited for Tovey to speak his mind. Stan heard his internal thoughts loud and clear through their bond.
"You say it,"Tovey finally said to him."If he hears it from me, he'll think I'm blowing off steam."
"Please have Niall stop by as soon as he can to reset the protective wards on the house," Stan said aloud.
Efren nodded. "We agreed to that while you were upstairs. He's on his way now."
