Page 124 of The Lost Art of Finding Where You Belong

“Of course.”

Perian smiled at the promptness of the answer, no apparent concern that it might be something he didn’t want to reveal.

“Why did you look after me after I was attacked—when we met, I mean?”

A frown furrowed Brannal’s brow. “I would never have just left you like that, not when you were so badly injured and could clearly not attend to yourself!”

Perian shook his head, holding up a hand. “No, no, of course not. That, I understand and am deeply grateful for. But after. Once you’d brought me back to the castle. Once the doctor had examined me and you had tonics and salves and had got me bandaged up. Why didn’t you hand me off to her or get someone else to care for me? Why didyoudo it?”

Silence fell, and for a moment, all Perian could hear was the chirp of birds, the hum of insects, and the gentle rushing sound of the wind through the tall grass and flowers, sighing around them.

After a long moment, Brannal spoke.

“I’m not entirely certain,” he admitted. “I did think about handing you off. It certainly seemed the logical course of action. But I was… drawn to you in a way I cannot explain. I wished to care for you, and so I did.”

“I’m glad,” Perian assured him.

Brannal flashed him a smile. “Me too. Very much so.” He hesitated for another moment and then continued. “I didn’t think there was room for anyone in my life. I toldmyself I didn’t need or want anyone, that I had so much to do, that they wouldn’t fit. I’m so grateful to be wrong. I couldn’t possibly have known all of that when I first found you, but maybe… the possibilities were there? And now you’ve made a Perian-shaped space in my life, and that is one of the best things that’s ever happened to me.”

Perian could feel tears stinging the back of his eyes. “Me too. I mean, Brannal-shaped, I guess.” He laughed a little. “I had no idea someone like you even existed, and I couldn’t have imagined you sweeping into my life and literally sweeping me off my feet, but that’s what you did.”

And Brannal gazed right at him with those dark eyes gleaming so bright, and said, “I love you, Perian.”

A shiver raced across Perian’s body, raising goosebumps in its wake as he sucked in a sharp breath, and the tears he’d been combating won, spilling over onto his cheeks.

“Oh, Brannal, I love you too. I love you so much!”

They came together as one, kissing and hugging and sort of laughing at one another, which Perian was pretty sure was just an outlet for all their emotions because there wasn’t actually anything funny about it at all. This was the best thing ever.

Brannal had told him he loved him. Brannal had said itfirst, and that meant Perian could stop second-guessing himself and could fully acknowledge the emotion he’d been feeling for longer than he wanted to admit.

Brannal was now wiping the tears away with his thumb, the drag of the calluses against the soft skin under Perian’s eyes making him shiver again.

“I’m so happy,” Perian told him. “I don’t know why I’m crying.”

Brannal leaned in and pressed a kiss to that delicate skin.

“Happy tears,” he whispered, breath ghosting across his face.

“So happy,” Perian agreed.

He hugged Brannal again, luxuriating in the feeling of being enfolded in those strong arms, of every tangible reminder that they were together, and Brannalloved him.

He wasn’t sure how long they remained in that embrace until Brannal spoke.

“Let’s see how this all tastes. It certainly looks lovely.”

And that’s what they did. Brannal stretched out on his side, long legs stacked, propped up on one elbow. Apart from in bed, Perian was certain he’d never seen the man look so relaxed. It was definitely a good look for him. Perian knew he probably wouldn’t see it often outside of Brannal’s rooms, and he was all right with that. He understood the man’sresponsibilities, and it made moments like these all the more precious. Perian knew he wasn’t ever going to forget the afternoon they lounged on a picnic blanket in a beautiful meadow, with the summer sun shining down upon them. It was where Brannal had told Perian heloved him.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Perian said, “You’re incredibly thoughtful. This whole holiday. I know we can’t do this all the time, but I just want you to know how much I’ve enjoyed this time together. It’s a wonderful treat.”

Brannal smiled at him. “I’m glad. I’ve enjoyed it a great deal as well. As you say, it can’t be all the time, but I can certainly be more mindful that I have other things that I want to fill my time with, and I definitely enjoy spending it with you.”

Perian hesitated for a moment, but then he offered carefully, “Maybe one day you could come home with me, see where I live?”

Brannal’s smile was enormous. “I’d love to. You speak of it with a lot of affection, even if you sound lonely sometimes.”

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