Brannal wrapped his arms around him and pulled him in so they were embracing.
“You make a fair point. I hate the idea of upsetting you, so part of me wants you to be perfectly all right with what I do. But the idea of you being in danger drives me to distraction, so I understand why it’s the same in reverse. And you’re right, my job can be dangerous. But I swear to you, I’m as careful as I can be, and I always remember that I have someone to come home to, all right?”
Perian nodded against his chest, his heart feeling like it was growing bigger with every beat. He might not know where this was going, and he might not be quite brave enough to put words to what he was feeling, butsomeone to come home towas significant.
“So your trip was really all right?” Perian asked, buoyed by the thought. “I want to hear all about it. No other demons?”
“None,” Brannal confirmed. “No sightings of nightmares at all. There was rumor of a carnalion in a small town, but it proved to be entirely unfounded when we investigated further. A young man accused the woman who was now partnered with his ex of being a carnalion and seducing the woman away from him, since it apparently couldn’t have been anything but demonic wiles that could have made her leave him.” Brannal rolled his eyes. “His ex was spectacularly unimpressed when she found out, and his parents were furious when they discovered the rumors he’d spread. You could probably have heard the yelling from here.”
Perian couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh, dear. Does that happen often?”
“Fortunately, not usually. Carnalions are quite rare. And it’s a serious allegation; most people understand the severity of it. He will be fined by the Council, and if they’re feeling severe, imprisoned for up to a month. The woman in question grew up there and could be vouched for by dozens of people. There was no evidence of anyone being harmed or any unnatural lust or abnormal behavior. Making false accusations undermines the entire system that keeps the country safe.” Brannal sighed. “People can be genuinely mistaken, of course. We do prefer to investigate and come up with nothing than have an incident not reported. But deliberate falsehoods are different.”
“What else did you have to deal with?” Perian asked curiously.
“It was pretty standard, actually,” Brannal assured him. “We patrolled, got reports in person, made sure the watch station was clean and in good repair, saw the new Warriors and Mage Warriors relieve the ones who were returning to the castle, and that was about it. Truly, it was fine, apart from the fact it was out there and you were back here. Cormal, Delana, and the others thought I was ridiculous.”
“Oh, good, they’ll be able to trade stories with everyone here who thoughtIwas being absurd.”
Brannal laughed, and Perian grinned.
He could handle this. He still wouldn’t like the going away part, but he definitely enjoyed the reunion. Speaking of reunions…
Perian rocked into the other man, where he could feel his rising enjoyment of their close proximity. Brannal’s eyes fluttered closed, and Perian said, “I want to ride you.”
Brannal’s eyes snapped open, spitting fire.
“Yes, please.”
And within moments, Perian was stretched open and sliding down onto the other man’s cock, water sloshing around them as he rode Brannal, chasing the feeling of fullness and contentment, watching Brannal’s dark eyes intent on him, until Brannal surged inside him, Perian spurting into the water.
Perian slumped against Brannal, who wrapped an arm around him to hold him in place.
“So good,” Perian mumbled.
“It really is,” Brannal agreed.
They made sure they were both actually scrubbed clean, and then Brannal got them both out of thebath.
“Come on, time for breakfast. Can’t have the Queen find me naked in the bathtub with you.”
“It wouldn’t be ideal,” Perian agreed. “Mind you, I don’t think she’d besurprised.”
Letting out a bark of laughter, Brannal agreed, “No, I don’t think she would be. But there are some things my queen definitely doesn’t need to see.”
They dried one another off, because that was much more fun, and then Brannal carefully examined the knife wound, running his fingers over the damaged skin.
“When did this happen?” he asked.
Perian had to stop to think about it. “Uh, four days ago. I’ve been taking really good care of it, and Onadal says I’m not allowed to resume training until it heals completely, something about not wanting to be smote down by you.”
Brannal considered this, and then shrugged. “He’s not wrong.”
Perian rolled his eyes. “Yeah, so I’ve been making sure it heals up as fast as it can. The doctor says I’m one of those lucky people who heals faster than average. I do think it’s looking pretty good.”
Brannal raised the arm closer and carefully pressed a kiss to the damaged skin. A full-body shiver ran through Perian, and Brannal smiled.
“Let’s get you bandaged up again.”
