The hug was returned, and he almost expected to wake up because it all felt so real. But how many hugs would he get from her after this? The fact that it may very well be the last one made him tighten his grip slightly before she pulled back. It wouldn't be a goodbye hug. She wasn't going anywhere.
"Well, I won't kill him," Pierce said with a sigh, but was fighting a smile regardless. "And while he does need help, you are not a punching bag and neither is my son. Casper is going to have to acknowledge that he needs help. Trying to make him admit it will only lead to bad things...again."
Oh, and one other thing! "I'm teaching you how to swordfight and throw a dagger properly. And giving you Mace. So you can blind him next time he tries to lay a hand on you."