Page 71 of The Lost Art of Finding Where You Belong

So Perian let Brannal smear on the salve and then bandage the wound.

“This must not have been fun to do yourself,” Brannal observed.

“I didn’t,” Perian answered. “Or almost never. Molun and Arvus took over. They were almost as determined as me to make sure it healed.”

Brannal smiled. “I’m glad.”

Perian could only nod, throat a bit thick, because he really wasn’t sure how he would have gotten through the week without them.

Finally, they dressed, and Perian mourned the loss of all that beautiful skin, but it was also lovely to watch the fully-clothed Brannal appear, every inch the Mage Warrior, just like he had been when he’d saved Perian’s life for the first time, like a fantasy come to life.

Truthfully, there probably wasn’t any version of Brannal that Perian didn’t like.

They moved out to the sitting room, and apparently word had spread that Brannal was back, because there was breakfast for two. They settled at the table, and both hands went for the teapot and then both pulled back, surprised.

Perian laughed. “I had to get used to doing that on my own while you were gone. I definitely prefer when you’re pouring me tea.”

Brannal smiled and obediently did the pouring for both of them.

It was somewhat weird to be doing this together again, but it was also deeply familiar. Of course, if Perian had learned anything over the past week, it was that he could be filled with mixed emotions. He could be happy but sad, he could be proud but worried, and he could be filled with bliss but still miss Brannal. Life was actually quite complicated.

That was a good thing, he reminded himself. If he wanted a life that wassimple, he could have stayed on the estate. Yes, Brannal’s job was dangerous and Perian sometimes got hurt, and not everyone in the castle liked him. Brannal had to travel, Perian still hadn’t worked out what he was doing with his life, Renny was sick, and Kee was invisible.

Put together, all these things became a life, one Perian was very happy to be living.

There was a knock on the door, and Molun barged in.

“Wow,” he said, frowning at them with exaggerated disapproval. “Everyone’s decent.”

Arvus followed him in. “I tried to stop him.”

“He did,” Molun agreed conscientiously. He nodded to Perian. “And I do remember you saying we weren’t going to see you for a week. I don’t mean to interrupt, but apart from the bruises where you kneed me in the groin, I thought it might all have been a dream, and I just wanted to make sure Brannal was actually back and you were all right.”

Perian jumped up from the table and came over to hug Molun. The other man hugged him back surprisingly hard, and Perian realized Molun really had wanted to check on him.

“I’m sorry for climbing all over you last night,” Perian said.

“You shouldneverbe sorry for that,” Molun argued immediately.

Brannal and Arvus snorted in unison.

Sheepishly, Perian admitted, “I sort of forgot there were even other peopleinthe bed when I realized Brannal was there.”

“Ouch,” Molun said theatrically.

They all laughed as Perian tried to protest, “No, no, you know what I mean!”

Arvus said quietly, “We just wanted to see if there was anything you needed us to talk about.”

Perian eyed him in confusion, then saw both their eyes drop to his arm.

“Oh,” Perian drawled, understanding dawning. “No, but thank you. I climbed on him in the bathtub before I told him. We’re allright.”

Molun was all smiles again. “Ooh, that was smart. How much of a mess did he make?”

Arvus’s voice was chiding, “Molun.”

Molun pouted. “Aren’t you curious?”

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