Page 94 of The Lost Art of Finding Where You Belong

Slowly, Perian nodded.

“That actually makes a lot of sense. I wasn’t thinking about this right. I was having trouble with competing priorities. I really want to learn defense, but I also want to cuddle with Brannal and have picnics with Renny and—oh, tons of things, you don’t need to hear the details. But I can try to think about it like that, to pause the other thoughts so I can survive and think them as much as I want after. Thanks, Delana!”

She smiled and nodded before heading back over to the full Warriors.

He wasn’t suddenly able to push every thought out of his head. Sometimes, he still got distracted, but it gave him a better way to think about it. When he’d been attacked, most of the thoughts had scattered to the wind; it had been less focus and more panic.

Now, he was learning to find a measure of space and calm to plan or think through his options, and hopefully gain some instincts that would take over in a positive way.

He tried to pretend this was a real fight, that his ability to think and react right now could be the difference between getting to see Brannal again and not getting to see him again. That was a really good motivator—as long as he stopped the thought there and didn’t start dwelling on what it would be like to never see him again.

At some point, Bennan must have been watching because he came over to clap Perian on the shoulder and tell him he’d made a good effort today.

Perian grinned at him.

“Thanks. I’m definitely a work in progress.”

But Bennan just smiled. “We all are.”

That was true, he supposed. Some had mademoreprogress than him, but that didn’t mean they weren’t all continuing to learn and grow and adapt.

He went up to Brannal’s rooms to scrub down, because he’d definitely worked up a sweat today. Apparently, when he was focused on survival, he did a lot more darting, dodging, spinning—and occasionally falling. It had made Delana laugh. “You fight dirty. I like it.”

Perian had happily accepted the compliment.

Once he was cleaned up so he wouldn’t be a sweaty mess for Renny, he headed out to the quadrangle by way of the kitchen. She was waiting, practically bouncing with excitement.

“Is something happening today?” he asked with mock innocence. “What could it be?”

She was grinning so big it was amazing it fit on her face. “I get to ride with you today!”

She chattered happily as they ate, and Perian mostly just listened, loving the exuberance. He made sure she ate by reminding her she needed energy for her ride.

“If you fall off because you faint with hunger, wouldn’t that be embarrassing?”

She rolled her eyes at him but did actually get some food down.

“You’re not going to gallop away, are you? Even if Prince Horsey wants to?”

This last was a little anxious, and Perian reassured her seriously, “Absolutely not. You’re right, Prince Horsey does love to gallop, but that’s not something we can do right now, and we are definitely not going to go anywhere without you.”

She nodded, looking relieved.

He leaned closer. “Besides, I’m pretty sure it’s rude to leave other people in the dust. I might have done it accidentally to Brannal and Warrior when we first went riding together.”

She giggled as he reminded her that Prince Horsey had blazed past those two as though they’d been standing still.

“I know not to do that today, I promise. And Prince Horsey was really good when I was injured. He’s clearly very smart. Even if he wants to go for a gallop, I just won’t let him, or at least not until after. If he’s really frisky, after we’ve had our ride, I might need to take him out further. But not until we’re done, how doesthat sound?”

She nodded. “That makes sense. Kee always says he has lots of energy.”

“I’m pretty sure that horse has the energy to run to the moon,” Perian agreed.

She laughed again.

They packed up the picnic, and he promised to meet Renny at the stables once he’d returned the basket and blanket.

“See you in an hour, all right?”

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