Page 79 of Suffer No Fools
Stan tried to pretend he hadn't heard the comment, but Hugo held back a step and looped his arms through Stan's and Tovey's. Sovereign Oton fell into step beside Stan. "They are the best choices, wouldn't you say?"
"I can see they're pretty," Sovereign Oton said, "but I'm not attracted to them. Or anyone, really. That's why I won't force a marriage bond on you. You were a delight when I was six, but so much has changed since then. You lost your mother, and a despotic general has taken over your country. Meanwhile, my parents got divorced, which dissolved their union and their shared rule of Glamiere, leaving it to me. I'd prefer to figure out what I'm doing as sovereign before I bring someone else into it."
"I completely understand," Hugo said. "This," he glanced up at Stan and over at Tovey, "wasn't planned. I'm grateful I found them, believe me, but—"
"You don't have to explain yourselves to me." Sovereign Oton seemed far wiser than their twenty-one years. "I'm still trying to convince my parents I don't want a palace full ofconcubines from which to choose my consort. I'd rather get to know someone organically, not pick them out of a lineup each night."
"That sounds ..."
"If the next words out of your mouth are, 'like fun,' we cannot be friends."
"Terrifying," Hugo said. "Every night is a first date? That sounds awful."
Sovereign Oton graced Hugo with a genuine smile. "It does. Have you been on many first dates?"
"Two. One with Stan, and one with Tovey." He grinned and leaned over Stan's chest to whisper, "Then I sent them on a date with each other. They've been together for fifteen years, but it was their first date!"
Stan glanced over the top of Hugo's head at Tovey. He had never taken Tovey on a date, but only because Tovey acted like he was allergic to spending time with Stan when they were in port. He stayed on the ship and felt sorry for himself more often than not.
"I would have plied you with drinks and fucked you silly,"Stan shared with him through their bond.
"I would have cut you to ribbons if you tried."
Stan nodded. He'd known not to ask.
When they reached the food stand, Petri served them berry tarts and meat pies. The crew ofStarlight Specterarrived, and they moved to the sentinel oak's conference room for more discussions. Stan and Tovey stood guard at the door, and Stan did his best to tune out everything but Hugo's running commentary in his head.
"I knew Sovereign Oton would understand,"Hugo said through their bond."They don't want to marry me or anyone else."
"Marriage shouldn't be the only way to declare peace between two nations,"Tovey responded."What happened to good old-fashioned trade and hospitality?"
Hugo didn't respond. He was pulled into another debate about Coryn's plans for war, despite Vadim's best effort to deflect the questions from him. Hugo's answers were always considerate toward the audience and kind to the speaker, though he wondered why he was answering the same question for the third time. He shared his concerns through their bond.
Sovereign Oton insisted on signing a trade agreement with Aquarion's Council of Elders and a promise of trade with Embertide before they left. Petri and Bea provided lunch while they hashed out the agreements, and finally, by late afternoon, both were signed and sealed. Then, Hugo led the way up the sentinel oak and around the top level to show the sovereign the island. Stan still hated heights, but he could handle it better now. He knew to stay by the top of the stairs and not to look down.
After another stop at Petri's food stand for hot chocolate and an afternoon snack, they accompanied Sovereign Oton back to their ship.
"Thank you so much for your hospitality," the sovereign said as they parted ways on shore. "This has been far more productive than I expected. I am sorry my captain caused this trouble to begin with. I thought of leaving her on Equis Island for the winter, but Jermain said her water weaves could be useful for testing the new boats."
They leaned in and whispered, "Thank you for taking me up in the tree. Rumors said you had ships docked all around the island and were holding out on us, asking us to spend our resources when you already had so many ships. I saw with my own eyes that isn't true. I wanted to see your fire, air, and earth weaves in action, too, but I can wait for a true war testimonial when we attack Stony Eel Island."
Hugo bowed his head. "It would be an honor to see your lightning in action."
They nodded. "I look forward to defeating our common enemy."
They clasped hands, and then Sovereign Oton disappeared behind a sea of taller prisoners the elders had led from their cells. They were to return home aboard the sovereign's transport. Stan caught glimpses of their crown and their distinct yellow outfit here and there as they climbed the gangplank onto their sleek ship, and then they disappeared.
"That went far better than I expected," Hugo said.
"Did you give them back the bird?" Stan asked, not getting his hopes up.
"You mean Hannah's bird? Of course not."
Stan sighed. He disliked sailing with any fowl aboard, and this one they couldn't even eat when the fishing was tough. For Hannah, though, he would put up with anything.
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Tovey
