“You’re welcome,” Perian said cheerfully.
Brannal really did need to leave, though, and Perian could only delay it with so many orgasms before his legs would turn to jelly. With all Brannal’s layers and weaponry in place, he looked every inch the Mage Warrior, with thick muscles, square jaw, flashing dark eyes, and leather armor.
Staring at the emblem for the Mage Warriors, crossed swords with the elements between them, Perian reminded himself yet again that Brannal could control all of them. And he had multiple daggers. And a sword. And lots of other Warriors and Mage Warriors going with him. He was in the best position to succeed.
Perian joined the many well-wishers who were seeing off theextremely competent, everything would be fineteam of Mage Warriors and Warriors going on patrol.
Perian knew Brannal was feeling at least a bit of the strain, because he actually pulled Perian close and kissed him in full view of everyone. Perian melted into the kiss and slung his arms around Brannal’s neck, holding him as close as possible.
“You’d better come back to me,” Perian told him sternly.
“That’s a promise,” Brannal said, eyes dark and sincere as he gazed intently at Perian.
It wasn’t a promise he could guarantee, but Perian still felt better for it being said.
There were all sorts of goodbyes happening all around them, those who would be separated from friends and loved ones for the weeks that the Warriors would be at the watch stations. Perian was so glad Brannal was just dropping people off and inspecting the station and getting news, not actually staying. Maybe he would someday, but this was a much more reasonablestart.
And then, finally, they were gone. Perian couldn’t make himself leave until they had actually passed completely from sight. He was not the only one who stayed, and it was with difficulty that he finally made himself turn around and go back into the castle. They weren’t going to suddenly become visible again—Perian could not stay out here for a full week, that would be ridiculous—and he needed to get on with his day, or someone was going to find him out here hours from now, and it would be embarrassing.
On balance, he decided it would also not be appropriate to rush back to the stables, saddle Prince Horsey, and gallop after Brannal. Prince Horsey was fast, the Prince probably wouldn’t mind an extended loan of his horse, and Perian was confident he could catch up. But… there was no plan after that. No, no, he would go back inside, he would train, and it would be fine.
Training was… something short of fine. The physical motion helped to distract him on the one hand, but this was a group of people who had also been affected by some of their friends and colleagues going off with Brannal. Those who were here training were doing so to be prepared for a situation like the one Brannal was currently riding off to face.
Ugh. Why did everything make Perian think of Brannal?
Even Onadal asked him if he was all right as they were cooling down. Perian suppressed a sigh.
“I’m doing all right, thank you for asking. I didn’t think the separation would hit me as hard as it has.”
To his surprise, Onadal patted him on the shoulder. “It’s never easy being away from people you care about. But you have to get used to it if you want to last.”
Perian nodded. “I’m trying. I hope the first time is the worst.”
Onadal squeezed his shoulder gently and then moved on, and Perian stared after him for a moment and thought he maybe had insight into another reason Delana liked him so much. Perian had seen the competence, the strength, the no-nonsense behavior, andthe good teaching skills, but he hadn’t seen as many glimpses of the heart that was clearly there as well.
Delana had left with Brannal, Perian remembered belatedly; he was not the only one affected. But Onadal was giving him good advice. Perian wanted to last, and he would try to look on the bright side. Brannal might be absent, but Perian had a whole week without needing to worry he was going to run into Cormal or that anything—or anyone—was going to be set on fire.
This was definitely Renny’s take on it at lunch.
“Fire and water, why do you look sosad?” she demanded.
Perian huffed a breath. “It’s not deliberate. It’s just… oozing out of my pores or something.”
Brannal hadn’t been gone for a full day. Not even half a day. Perian was pretty sure there was something wrong with him.
Renny looked a hilarious mixture of a bit sympathetic and a lot impatient.
“He’s coming back.”
“I know,” Perian agreed.
She tilted her head to one side, and her tone changed. “He’s really coming back. Perian, you don’t need to worry.”
He sighed. “I know that rationally. I mean, I know he will do everything in his power to come back, and he has a lot of power at his disposal. I know he has done this dozens of times and come back just fine. But there’s always achancehe won’t come back. And I’ve gotten so used to having him with me. It’s just… taking a little while to get used to being alone now.”
She put her hands on her hips and gave him an unimpressed look. “Excuse me?”
He blinked at her, then laughed. “You know that’s not what I meant. I just… miss him.”
