Page 46 of A Phoenix Reborn at Christmas
“It tastes even better warm! The lentil filling is so rich and has so much flavour! The mash is so smooth and buttery! And the pastry!” Percival licked his lips. Then he frowned. “Aren’t you going to eat?”
“Of course.” Although, truth was, Leo actually liked to watch others eat the pies he baked more than he enjoyed eating them. “You did a good job in the bakery this morning.”
“Did I?”
“Can’t you taste how good this pie is?” Leo asked. “We made this together. We’re a good team.”
Percival beamed. Leo reached across the table to touch his hand. He really couldn’t stop touching him.
For a few moments, they ate in silence. Percival finished his pie and licked the crumbs from his fingers.
“The second pie is for you too,” Leo said.
“How come I get two pies?” Percival picked it up.
Leo hesitated. Percival and Lord Percival Everflame were like two separate phoenixes in terms of personality, at least. But they had one thing clearly in common. They both loved his pies.
“Well, when you, the old you, would come into the bakery, you ordered two pies.”
“I see. Well, at least the old me had good taste in food.” Percival took another bite.
The door to the bakery opened, and a faun customer walked to the counter. Trent came over to serve. If Percival hadn’t died, he’d soon be coming into the bakery to order his two pies. Leo would still have hated him.
Instead Percival had died and been reborn. And because of that, he sat opposite Leo. And last night, he’d spent the night in Leo’s bed, in Leo’s arms.
It didn’t sit right with him that he was glad that Percival had died and been reborn. But he couldn’t deny that he was happy to have this Percival with him now. They finished their food and sipped their tea.
Then Percival leaned towards him. “I wanted to mention something to you about Jasper.”
Chapter
Twenty-One
“Ijust thought I should tell you that I noticed a strange…fog around Jasper.” Percival frowned.
Leo placed his teacup down. “What do you mean?”
“I don’t quite know.” Percival’s frown deepened. “When Ebony was injured, I saw that grey cloud around her. With Jasper, it’s similar.”
Leo sat up straight. “You think you could heal Jas?”
“I…” Then Percival shook his head. “I don’t think so. I’m sorry. I can see the fog around him. I can see something is wrong. But it doesn’t call to me like with Ebony’s injury.” Percival didn’t really know how else to explain it.
The problem was, he didn’t really understand his own powers. He’d gone on instinct to heal Ebony.
Leo slumped, the disappointment clear on his face. He glanced to the back area of the bakery. No doubt he looked at his twin.
“I’m sorry. Maybe I could still try,” Percival said. “I’m just not sure it will work.”
Leo smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Thanks. That would be good.” He took a breath and stood. “We should get back to work.”
Percival picked up his plate and cup. “I’d like to practice shifting later.”
Leo paused. “You don’t remember how?”
“I’m not sure.” Percival thought he could shift if he tried. But he needed to do it to be certain.
“We can practice after work.” Leo bumped his shoulder against Percival’s. “I can’t promise I’ll be much help. But I’ll be there for moral support.”
