Page 85 of Suffer No Fools
"Now, we practice together."
Their collaboration was much easier than trying to outwit Tovey and Stan. Hugo learned how to weave earth and air together into missiles and then lit them on fire. They stoppedwhen Stan's missile nearly took out a makeshift dock, catching Hannah's attention as they walked along the beach.
"I'm sad you won't need me to start your fires anymore," they said when they reached them. Breezy was perched on their shoulder and squawked in greeting.
"You'll be able to focus your attention elsewhere," Tovey said. "Our enemies won't know what hit them."
Together, they walked to the sentinel oak and down the stairs. They found Elder Beatrice in the conference room with Vadim and Elder Allora.
"We wouldn't have come if we'd known you were having yet another meeting." Hannah grinned at Vadim.
"Allora was filling us in on her progress," Vadim said. "She's made a fire enchantment for Gulde. She harnessed Jasmine's power into a globe."
"Jasmine's a child!" Stan frowned at Elder Beatrice before turning the full force of his glower on Vadim.
"She wanted to help," Vadim said. "Begged us, in fact. Neither Klaus nor I could say no."
"It's official, then?" Hugo asked. "You've adopted them?" Longing filled Hugo's chest.
"Not yet," Vadim said. "Soon. Everyone on the island will be invited, I promise."
"Thank you." Hugo nodded. "It's good to have hope in times like these."
"There's no age limit for adoption here," Vadim said.
Hugo knew what Vadim implied, but he couldn't do that to his parents. He'd been missing his father for a long time, and his mom had raised him to adulthood. She'd died trying to free him from Coryn's grasp. And how would that even work? Would he give up his birthright as emperor if he took another parent's name?
"Shh." Tovey wrapped his arm around Hugo's waist and tucked him to his side. "It was a kind offer, Vadim, but it's best not to leave the empire wondering if he's still our rightful ruler."
"The offer stands," Vadim said. "Informally, for family gatherings. We'll never replace your parents. And despite what Klaus has told everyone, I don't let anyone call me Daddy." Vadim's grimace was too funny not to laugh.
"You are my family," Hugo reassured him, "and I will gladly celebrate with Jasmine, Renald, and Trin."
Elder Allora cleared her throat. "We were almost done here."
"Yes. Right." Vadim bowed his head over his papers. "Jasmine is resting for a few days to recuperate. Would you be interested in feeding a fire enchantment, Hugo?"
"Yes, I would," he said. "Hannah? Would you join me? We'll need more scopes like yours."
Hannah ducked their head to hide behind their curtain of straight blond hair. "I made that myself. It's a bonus from being balanced."
"Does that mean I could make my own enchantments, as well?" Hugo glanced at Elder Allora before returning his focus to Vadim, who frowned thoughtfully at the table.
"I showed Hannah how to use their power to make scopes," Elder Allora said. "If it's all right with you, I would rather Hannah showed the emperor. I don't want him to get any strange ideas that I'm trying to hurt him."
"Oh, trust me, hurting Jasmine will kill you quicker," Vadim said with a fierce growl.
"I am well aware." Her eyes shone with sorrow, but she smirked as she turned to Hannah and Hugo. "Start small. Light globes are always helpful on dark ships."
"Let's get started." Hannah grinned and led him outside to begin their work.
#
Stan
Several mornings later, after a practice session with Renald and Trin, Stan stood panting in the sand pit near the wall closest to the beach. The children had recovered far quicker than he had, mostly because he'd been deflecting their forceful blows while trying to pull his own punches.
Trin came up to him and patted his shoulder, sweat squelching in the fabric. "You don't have to take it easy on us. The first thing Beatrice taught us was how to protect ourselves."
