They continued to eye him for a moment, and then their face creased into a broad grin. “That’s really what has you so worked up? You want to get Bennan and Chamis together?”
“So badly!” Perian confessed, feeling the truth of it to his bones. “I tried talking to Bennan already, but it didn’t work. I’ve got to take the next step.”
“Bennan doesn’t strike me as the shy type.”
Perian shook his head. “Too worried to rock the boat. And I know there’s a risk if I do it, but at least it’s nothimdoing it, and I will make clear he has no idea what I’m doing, and we can pretend it never happened if I’m wrong, but seriously, you’ve seen the two of them, haven’t you? How can I be wrong?”
They were still looking amused. “I’m not sure the rest of us see everything you see.”
Perian stared at them, aghast. “Are you saying you didn’t noticeall the piningat dinner?”
They shrugged. “I noticed an occasional glance or two. There might have been some mutual appreciation.”
Perian couldn’t even explain it. “It’s all I can see now. It’s like I can feel it sympathetically, you know? And I just want it to be better for them.”
Nisal patted his arm. “All right, all right, I’ll see what I can do. But he really is shy, remember.”
“I know,” Perian said, nodding hurriedly. “That’s why I want to talk to him alone and casually if I can. I don’t want to embarrass him or upset him.”
Nisal nodded. “I’ll update you at dinner if I find anything out, all right?”
“Thank you. I owe you times ten thousand, as you already know.”
They shrugged this off. “I’m happy to help.”
“I’ll let you get back to lessons. Sorry to interrupt.”
They waved this off too. He went back to Brannal’s rooms and pulled out a book, but then he decided the bed was calling his name. He pulled off his boots, eased out of his coat, and crawled under the covers. He buried his face in Brannal’s pillow, but he didn’t think he could detect the smell of him anymore. Perian needed those smells (and looks and touches and feelings andeverything).
And then, because he was lying in bed, daydreaming about Brannal, he slipped his hand in his trousers and jerked himself off, pretending it was Brannal pleasuring him.
He lay there for a moment, letting his breathing fall back to its normal rhythm, and then he sighed, cleaned himself up, and curled up next to the pillow once again.
Only two more nights. They would be together soon, and it could definitely not be soon enough for Perian.
He dozed but woke in time to get himself properly clean once more and even sit down in front of the fire with a book before Molun and Arvus showedup.
“No escapades today?” Molun asked. His eyes narrowed. “Or is this you covering up the escapades?”
“That seems entirely more likely,” Arvus said, lips curving into a smile.
Perian laughed. “No escapades, I’m afraid. Renny says I’m getting very boring.”
And then, of course, Nisal arrived.
“Perian, there you are. I have that super-secret information you requested.”
Molun looked outraged. “Escapades! And you were trying to hide them from us!”
“Do you not understand the meaning of ‘super secret’?” Perian asked teasingly. “It means without you knowing, obviously.”
Molun pouted. “Why don’t I get to know?”
“Because it’s none of your business,” Perian told him loftily. “Now go away, and let Nisal tell me the super-secret information.”
Molun’s pout deepened. Perian relented.
“Go wait in the hallway, and you can come with me to dinner in two minutes.”
