It hadn’t been very long since they’d resumed their sexual relationship after a hiatus, because their first attempt to have penetrative sex had ended with Brannal reacting badly, triggered by Perian still didn’t know what. Brannal had been very convincing when he’d assured Perian he wanted to continue with this aspect of their relationship, and it hadn’t occurred to Perian to be worried in the moment—but then the doubts had crept in.
He’d thought it only made sense to check, but now it just seemed awkward.
Only Brannal’s expression softened, a small smile appearing. He leaned in to gently kiss Perian, who melted into the contact and immediately felt better.
“It was wonderful,” Brannal assured him. He hesitated for a moment. “I would… prefer not to talk about… before.”
“You don’t have to!” Perian hastened to assure him. He’d said something like that before, and Perian didn’teverwant to pressure him.
Brannal swallowed, his eyes slipping away. “I know that’s not entirely fair to you. We’re supposed to be communicating…”
“Hey,” Perian said, cupping his face so Brannal would meet his eyes again. “I can’t deny that I’d like to know. Uh, a little bit because I’m nosy.”
Brannal snorted a half laugh, and some of the tension in Perian eased.
He continued, “But mostly because I feel like it would help me understand you and help us navigate this relationship. But if you feel the best way for us to do that is for me to be aware of only the, uh, broad strokes, then I can work with that.”
Brannal was nodding. “It’s in the past, and I’d like to put that past behind me. I trust you, and I’m enjoying everything we do together.” Perian opened his mouth, but Brannal kept going. “And if ever anything triggers me again, I know I only have to tell you, and you’ll respect my boundaries and give me whatever I need. I’ll tell you, Perian, I promise. All right?”
Perian could only nod, because that seemed very reasonable. He couldn’t deny there was a part of him that wanted to find out exactly who had hurt Brannal and… raze them to the ground or something. Not only was Perian not capable of doing that—although he was at least learning the basics, right?—but he also recognized it wouldn’t be helpful.
Brannal was moving past it, and Perian’s job was to support him.
“Thank you,” Perian told him.
Brannal tugged him even closer, wrapping his arms around him, and Perian tucked his head against Brannal’s shoulder.
“No, thankyou,” Brannal said softly. “I didn’t think I’d ever find this.”
Yeah, Perian hadn’t expected to find it either. He was so glad he had.
The next day, Renny was in a good mood as she settled onto the picnic blanket with him. Her dark eyes were bright, and she didn’t look nearly as drawn as when he had first met her, stumbling into this location when it had been her secret spot.
He laid out the food as she proudly relayed to him how her tutor had told her that her Old Tongue was improving a great deal, and she could soon move to more complex books.
“That’s wonderful!” Perian told her. “Great dedication.”
She beamed at him. “It’s a lot easier to learn when you don’t feel like you’re going to fall asleep all the time.”
“You’re not as tired?” Perian asked hopefully.
She shook her head. “I’m so much better!” She pouted. “I mean, I do still get tired, and I still have to take a nap sometimes if I want to do something in the evening, but I feel much more alert when I’m doing my morningandafternoon lessons. Afternoon lessons used to be the worst even with the nap.”
Perian eyed her and asked with exaggerated suspicion, “But did you ever actually sleep during that supposed ‘nap’?”
She giggled, eyes bright and mischievous. “Sometimes.”
Yeah, all the time that Perian had known her, she’d been sneaking out to the garden, first to sit alone, but then, once she met Perian, to have picnics with him. Now, at least, everyone knew that the princess of the realm was doing so, and she had an escort to ensure she stayed safe.
Perian was glad when she was happy, and he was so glad she was feeling better. She was still a bit too slim, but she looked distinctly healthier. The circles under her eyes weren’t nearly as pronounced, and there didn’t seem to be as much fatigueorsadness clinging to her.
Of course, that might have something to do with the fact Perian had entered wholeheartedly into her assertion that the brother everyone else thought had died six years ago was by her side, unable to be seen or heard by anyone but her.
He still didn’t have any proof beyond a belief in Renny and what he’d witnessed. It wasn’t like Perian could hazard a guess as to how Prince Kinan had wound up invisible and not able to touch anything or be touched—nor why his sister could hear and see him, but still not touch him either.
“I’m glad you’re enjoying your learning,” Perian told her.
“It’s more interesting when it’s less boring,” Renny said with a shrug.
