Perian leaned across the table to grab his arm and squeeze. “Not for so much as a second,” Perian assured him. “You asked me what I wanted, and you were so good to me. I enjoyed it immensely.”
Brannal’s expression softened to that look Perian had only ever seen directed at him.
“I enjoyed it, too. You were wonderful, as always. Surely you don’t thinktheyregretted it? It looked pretty obvious to me that they enjoyed it completely.”
Perian laughed a little, since it was certainly true everyone had come andseemedpleased.
“I don’t know quite what I’m feeling,” he admitted, struggling to put it into words. “But things are really good, and I guess I want them to stay that way.”
Brannal clasped their hands together. “They will. You’ll see.”
And it seemed Brannal’s optimism was borne out because Molun was one of the ones on duty with Renny when she was escorted to her picnic, and he smiled at Perian just the way he always did. And then he winked.
“Got any desserts in there?” He leered at the picnic basket.
Perian was sure he was blushing scarlet, but he rolled his eyes at the man and relaxed at the confirmation that Molun was going to treat him just the way he usually did—with friendly humor and at least a little inappropriateness.
Everything was going to be fine.
Before Perian knew it, it was the day before Brannal had to leave on patrol. His heart sank at the idea of having to sit around just waiting for possible news. But this was a patrol of Warriors and Mage Warriors who were protecting the country’s citizens from wraiths, nightmares, carnalions, and lesser demons. This was Brannal’s job. The idea of something happening to Brannal was nerve-wracking… but it came with the territory.
“It’s only a week,” Brannal reminded him at the end of breakfast in the sittingroom.
Perian nodded. Thank goodness it wasn’t longer than that; thank goodness Brannal was only patrolling between here and the closest watch station, the one in the fourth district.
“You’re sure you don’t want—” Brannal started.
Perian cut him off before he could finish, fearing he wouldn’t be strong enough to refuse a second offer to cancel. But that would leave them open to Cormal accusing Brannal of not doing his job. Plus, it wasn’t a practical solution, not if this relationship was to last, which Perian very much wanted.
Making his tone firm by sheer force of will, Perian said, “You’ll be fine, I’ll be fine, and we’ll have a wonderful reunion when you get back.”
Brannal considered him for a long moment, and then he leaned in and pressed a soft, lingering kiss to Perian’s lips.
“It has never been so hard to leave the castle before,” he admitted.
Perian flung his arms around him, glad to hear it was affecting Brannal, too.
“Other people do it all the time,” Perian whispered.
“I don’t care what other people do,” Brannal whispered back, making Perian snort with laughter.
Brannal cradled him close. “I’ve also never been so anxious to get back to the castle.”
“Don’t do anything stupid,” Perian admonished. “Be careful and take care of yourself.”
“I definitely will.” He eyed Perian. “I have someone to come back for, don’t I?”
Perian swallowed, nodded, and managed to smile. Apparently, it was convincing enough, because Brannal headed off to work.
Perian did his best to go about his day like normal, even if he was more than a little distracted.
If there was one thing Perian had learned in his life, it was that someone could leave with every intention of coming back and yet not do it. Brannal wouldtryto come back. He was an excellent Mage Warrior. Demons were a scourge upon the earth, and this patrol would help destroy them before they could hurt anyone.
Perian blew out a shaky breath. He knew all that, but it didn’t quite banish the part of him that knew only that his father had gone into the city, intending to return, only he never had. There had been a fire, something no one could predict, and Perian had been left alone.
Brannal was probably the most powerful person Perian had ever met, one of the extremely rare Mages who could control all four elements. He had the best chance of survival ofanyone, but nothing was guaranteed.
This wasn’t going to be easy, but Perian would manage. He had to. Hewantedto. He was really proud of Brannal and his desire to protect people. In order to do that, he kind of had to be… allowed to protect people.
