Page 128 of The Lost Art of Finding Where You Belong

Perian nodded and tucked the necklace under his shirt.

They went down to the parlor, and Brannal poured them both tea as he always did, and they ate another lovely meal. Perian was sad this holiday was coming to an end, but he was buoyed by the fact that Brannal loved him and they’d agreed to be together, to really try this.

It was a wonderful feeling, and Perian tried to draw it in and let it infuse his entire being. It was going to be different, going back to the castle. Part of Perian felt like everything had changed, but in some ways, nothing had.

As they were leaving, Perian assured the innkeeper that everything had been wonderful. Brannal had already settled the bill, but the woman seemed genuinely pleased to hear about how much Perian liked everything.

“Come back anytime,” she said with a big smile. “We were happy to have you.”

This sounded genuine, so she either really hadn’t minded all the sex, or Brannal had paid her well enough to make up for it. Maybe both.

In the stable, they startled the stable hand and the server, who, if they hadn’t been locked in an embrace, certainly looked as though they’d wanted one.

The stable hand cleared their throat and assured them, “I’ll have your horses ready in just a moment!”

“We’re not in a hurry,” Perian assured them, as the server hurried past them with a smile that was full of bashfulgratitude.

Oh, Perian was so glad they’d come here.

The horses were soon ready, and the innkeeper came out to the yard to see them off as Perian and Brannal mounted up. She assured them their belongings would be sent on later in the day, with a cart that was heading into the city for supplies.

“Thank you!” Perian said again. “We’ll never forget this place.”

And then they were leaving. It was harder than Perian thought it would be to turn his back on that little inn and face the road back to the castle again.

“Are we not going to be able to go on holidays because you’re going to be too sad when they’re over?” Brannal asked.

This made Perian laugh. “No, that would be a terrible reason not to go on holidays. I am going to see right through you if you ever suggest that’s why we can’t leave the castle.”

It was Brannal’s turn to chuckle. “We both know my work is what’s going to keep us there more often than we might wish.”

“But it means these times are extra special,” Perian said, not sure if Brannal felt bad about that.

Brannal offered him a smile. “Thank you.”

It was another beautiful day, although there were darker clouds on the horizon in front of them.

“Is that meant to be symbolic?” Perian wanted to know, gesturing at the clouds.

“Oh, are we leaving the idyll behind?” Brannal asked.

Perian nodded.

“Well, thereislikely to be more drama at the castle, notwithstanding your ability to set up people you don’t know wherever you are.”

“It was like two flames,” Perian said, trying to figure out how to explain it. “Two flames burning, but not quite near enough to merge together and become bigger and more beautiful. But you know that if they were just that little bit closer, theycould. And so you give a little nudge, so they can reach one another, and then they do, and theyare.”

Brannal seemed to consider this explanation, which Perian realized only after he’d said it was maybe not entirely rational.

Brannal said, “That’s a lovely image. I don’t think it’s something all of us are capable of seeing.”

Suddenly, Perian laughed. “Oh, perhapsthat’s what I’m meant to be doing, getting people together? Isthatmy purpose at the castle?”

Brannal cast him a look of some horror, and that made Perian laugh even harder.

“Don’t worry, don’t worry,” he said, still giggling. “I won’t plan to do it professionally. I just… It’s like ignoring flames, you know, when you can see them reaching for one another.”

Brannal huffed a breath, shaking his head but looking amused.

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