Page 39 of A Phoenix Reborn at Christmas
The breath caught in Leo’s throat. Then he pulled Percival against him, enveloping him in his arms. “Of course not! Of course I won’t send you to a bloody workhouse.”
Leo had no first-hand experience with workhouses. But he’d seen those who worked in them, with their thin bodies, gaunt faces, and haunted eyes. “I’d never do that to you. Never!”
Percival clutched at Leo like a man drowning. And like Leo was the only one who could save him. “What will I do, Leo?”
“I’ll look after you.” Leo hugged him tighter. “We’ll work it out. It’s going to be okay. It’s going to be okay.”
“Please don’t leave me,” Percival begged. “Please.”
“I won’t. I’m not going anywhere. I promise.”
Percival trembled in his arms.
And Leo remembered Lord Ignatius Everflame’s words. He’d apparently taken Percival in when he’d been trembling with fear. Just like Percival trembled now.
And right now, Percival was beyond vulnerable. He was scared and confused. He looked to Leo for guidance and help. And after his last rebirth, he’d looked to his uncle for guidance and help.
Leo’s belly roiled. Because then his uncle had apparentlymouldedPercival into something stronger. He’d knocked the frailty out of Percival.
Leo’s jaw tensed.
What had that meant? How had Lord Ignatius Everflame moulded Percival into the arrogant phoenix who’d come into his bakery? Leo didn’t want to think about how he’d achieved that.
And Percival’s other family was apparently dead. How was that even possible? He hadn’t even realised phoenixes could properly die. He thought they were always reborn.
Bollocks and broomsticks!Leo had so many fucking questions. And he needed the answers in order to help Percival. But the best person to ask was Lord Ignatius Everflame, and that vile man clearly wouldn’t do anything to help his nephew.
So Leo would have to find out what he could. And he would need to be the one to look after and care for Percival.
Several minutes passed as they stood, holding each other in the side alley. Eventually, Percival’s breathing returned to normal. Leo leaned back but didn’t release Percival from his arms. He looked into Percival’s distraught face.
Leo’s hearth and kitchen witch instincts kicked in and told him to take Percival home, put him by the fire, cover him in blankets, feed him, and give him tea.
“My uncle doesn’t want me,” Percival whispered.
“Your uncle is a fucking dick!” Leo snapped.
Percival let out a weak laugh. His gaze dropped to Leo’s chest. “And my cousin just stared at me. He even smiled before we left, after my uncle…said all those things to me.”
Leo hadn’t been looking at Percival’s cousin. But it seemed he’d be no support for Percival either.
“I don’t have anyone now,” Percival said.
“You have me!”
“Do I?” Percival searched his eyes. “Even though you hated me yesterday?”
“Well, yes,” Leo admitted. “But you’re different now!”
“It sounds like I was not a very nice man yesterday.” Percival’s brows lowered. “Maybe I lost my memories because I wanted a clean slate. Maybe I didn’t like who I’d become.”
Leo had no idea if that was how phoenix’s memories worked. But it sounded nice.
Percival swallowed. “Maybe I can start again. Be someone better. Someone nicer.” Then Percival frowned. “But what will happen to me now? I have nowhere to go.”
“That’s not true,” Leo said firmly. “Me and my family will take you in and give you work.”
Percival let out a disbelieving laugh. “Really? Just like that? Will your family even agree to that? They don’t owe me anything.”
