Page 89 of The Lost Art of Finding Where You Belong

“I’d like to get something made for Molun,” Arvus said quietly.

Perian beamed at him. “Aw, that’s such a lovely idea. I’m not honestly sure, but I don’t think it would hurt to ask. Chamis is pretty shy, though, so you could always ask Bennan, who could relay the message.”

Arvus nodded. “I’ll do that. Thanks.”

Perian loved the idea of Chamis’s talents being displayed to more people, but he realized it was perhaps not somethingChamiswas expecting. At the next opportunity, he apologized to Bennan, who laughed and said they’d already had people asking, and Chamis was a little overwhelmed.

“Oh, no,” Perian said, feeling his heart drop. “I didn’t mean that, I was just so excited!”

But Bennan shook his head. “No, don’t worry about it. I’ve stepped in as a sort of broker, and that leaves Chamis to just do the carving, which he loves to do anyway. I think he’s still a little puzzled that people love the carvings as much as they do, but the fact they are so earnest about liking them means he wants people to have them. With me doing most of the dealing with people, it leaves him to do what he loves. It’s working pretty well.”

Perian beamed at him, relief sweeping through him. “Oh, I’m so glad. And do please let him know I didn’t mean to make him uncomfortable, but I really do believe everyone should get to see just how amazingly talented he is.”

Bennan beamed at him. “I will.”

Yes, that was one proud partner right there, and Perian loved it. He was so glad for the little part he had played in helping to get them together. It made him determined to keep giving nudges if he saw the opportunity.

Perian asked for a few beginning texts on magic, which Brannal was confused about hiswanting.

Perian shrugged. “I know I’m not ever going tobemagical.”

Twenty-two was past the age where magic was going to manifest. He’d never felt drawn to a particular element—not that that necessarily meant anything. Some people were strongly attracted to an element when young and subsequently manifested an ability to control it. For others, though, it was a complete surprise, and sometimes it was even contrary to what they might expect. There was no real evidence that anything actually influenced someone becoming a Mage, apart from an improved chance if a parent was a Mage. Even then, it wasn’t guaranteed, and it didn’t even definitively indicate which element.

There had never been a documented case of someone older than twenty manifesting new control. It was much more likely to happen during puberty, with fourteen to sixteen being the most likely range.

“I know that I won’t ever understand it firsthand,” Perian continued, not wanting Brannal to worry he was holding out hope for something impossible. “But I spend a lot of time with a lot of Mage Warriors now. You all have this amazing gift that I’m in awe of but which I don’t understand very well. So I thought I’d read up on it a bit.”

Brannal continued to stare at him for a long moment, and then he tugged Perian closer and pressed a kiss to his lips.

“I’d be happy to give you any books you like,” he promised. “But I don’t want you to think there’s anything youhaveto learn. I’ve been very much enjoying everything we do together. You’re not… you’re notlackingin anything, Perian.”

And Perian had climbed onto his lap and proceeded to show him just how much he appreciatedthatsentiment.

He didn’tthinkthat was what was driving his desire to learn more, although perhaps there was an element of truth in it. Mostly, though, he simply wanted to understand his friends better. Brannal got him several of the books the novices used, which mostly hammered home the point that a great deal of concentration and focus was needed, especially at the beginning. The initial connection was instinctual, but then Mages had to learn to control it.

All Perian’s friends, once they realized what he was doing, invited him to ask if he wanted to know more. Once he was sure they meant it, he peppered them with questions.

He’d mostly seen deliberate uses of magic that weren’t about him, but it turned out most of them were perfectly willing to demonstrate just because he was interested.

Molun laughed when he asked if he was sure he didn’t mind. “Perian, Magesloveto show off.”

Many of them had integrated their magic into their daily lives: if Molun or Brannal spilled water over the edge of the bath, they scooped it up without thought. Nisal would use the air to blow a door shut that hadn’t quite latched. Arvus never had sand or dirt blow into his eyes on a windy day.

Perian had seen Brannal wave at the fire and watched the flames leap higher. Glasses of water never needed to be refilled by hand if you were eating with Brannal, Molun, or Delana. It was something they did without thinking about it, but they didn’t usually go up and down the halls using their magic just because they could.

But someone who had questions and wanted to see what they could do?

Yeah, it turned out they were just fine with showing off.

And if it was him and Brannal, it always ended with sex. Perian hadn’t been lying when he’d said the man’s use of the elements was altogether arousing.

He even asked when the next trip to a watch station would be.

“Not for months,” Brannal said from where he lay curled up next to Perian. “Unless something drastic happens, anyway.”

Perian nodded, because he did understand that demons weren’t predictable, and in an emergency, of course Brannal and any of the others could be called in.

“We typically do inspections every few months, make sure that everything is running smoothly. People are supposed to report problems, and theyusuallydo, but we like to make sure.”

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