It was going to be fine. Of course, it would be fine.
Brannal was taking Cormal with him, which was apparently a bit unusual; typically, if Summus was out of the castle for days, then Secundus was in it. Perian was pretty sure this change of routine was solely for Perian’s benefit, not leaving the two of them in the castle together without Brannal’s buffering presence. Molun, Arvus, and Nisal were staying here, too, while Delana would be going on the patrol.
“You’ll dump water over both of them if they get out of control, right?” Perian had asked her, a bit too anxiously to successfully make it a joke.
She’d nodded, looking a little amused. “I most certainly will.”
Delana didn’t put up with nonsense. She and Onadal were rather similar in that respect, and Perian wondered if their work ethics were so in sync that people thought they just clicked that way instead of romantically.
Perian had seen them together more often now that he was practicing with the Warriors, and he was even more confident they were a couple, or at least that they were having sex, though he thought it was more than that. He didn’t know how to describe it, but they felt… connected. But as per his agreement with Delana, he made no mention of it to anyone else. She’d put in a good word with Onadal to get him to let Perian do this training, so he was keeping his mouth shut. And supplying her with her favorite pastries.
It meant he felt more comfortable about her being back-up for Brannal out on this patrol. Brannal alone was formidable, and he was bringing a variety of Mage Warriors with him. Brannal had been on patrols like this countless times over the year, and he would be fine this time, too. Fire couldn’t kill a Fire Mage, so that was one less thing for Perian to worry about.
He was selfishly glad Molun and Arvus were staying here with him, though, although he worried a little that he was getting special treatment.
“We don’t all go out all the time,” Brannal pointed out when Perian raised the topic after dinner on their finalevening.
They were curled up in front of the fire with books, and Perian tried not to think about how many nights he was going to have to live without this.
Brannal continued, “We spread our resources between the castle and patrols to keep everyone safe. With Summus and Secundus away, Tertius definitely belongs here, and I very rarely split up Molun and Arvus. They make an effective team.”
Perian nodded. That made lots of sense. It sounded like it was probably true and not just Brannal leaving Molun and Arvus here for Perian.
Which was not to say that they weren’talsohere for him.
“You’re not ready to be alone again,” Brannal observed gently.
Perian was tucked up against him not even pretending to read. He was just soaking in the contact and hoping it could somehow last him all the way until Brannal was back again.
Quietly, Perian shook his head. He was trying not to think about it.
“I’ll be back in a week,” Brannal reminded him. “Just seven days.”
Perian was more worried about the nights. They yawned before him like an unending chasm.
“I don’t want you to be alone while I’m gone,” Brannal continued.
Perian tilted his head to try to see the other man’s face, rather confused by this comment.
“Spend time with Molun and Arvus while I’m gone,” Brannal suggested.
“Oh, of course,” Perian agreed. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to lock myself in here and not come out until you’re back. Renny would break in, obviously, and it would be very embarrassing when she found me wrapped up in a cocoon of blankets on the bed, smelling your shirts and pillow. Not that I’ve thought about it or anything.”
Brannal laughed, the skin crinkling around his eyes. He looked impossibly fond, and Perian leaned a little further into him, like if he tried hard enough, he could meld them together and then maybe they wouldn’t have to be separated at all.
“I’m glad to hear you’ve thought everything through logically,” Brannal said, amusement clear in his voice.
Perian shrugged, not embarrassed. There was a good chance some cuddling with shirts and pillows was going to happen once the other man left; that was just a fact.
After a moment, Brannal said, voice more serious, “But I was actually suggesting you sleep with Molun and Arvus.”
This made Perian sit up completely, startled. He turned so he could look at Brannal properly.
“What?” he demanded.
“I don’t want you to be alone while I’m gone,” Brannal repeated.
“You said that,” Perian said blankly.
