Page 59 of A Phoenix Reborn at Christmas
Percival had asked Leo about their interactions from his previous life before. He was getting a deeper understanding of who he’d been. He didn’t like the picture it created.
I really should stop asking him about what I was like. It just darkens my mood.
Leo didn’t speak. He always tried to downplay what Percival had been like, as if not wanting to hurt Percival’s feelings. And Leo always pointed out that he, too, had been rude.
But Percival had only ever seen Leo be rude to one person. His uncle. And his uncle had definitely deserved it. So Percival had to assume that he must have deserved it too.
Percival continued to stare at the Christmas tree. “I can see why you disliked me. I don’t think I’d have liked me.”
“You’re not that phoenix anymore, Percy.” Leo threaded their fingers together.
But it still bothered Percival. Why had he been that way? Why had he been rude and mean to a server in a bakery? Why had he been so arrogant and entitled? Could he be that way again?
That last question haunted him. Because if he’d been that way in his past life, was he capable of becoming that phoenix once more?
He thought of his uncle, of his raging eyes as he’d yelled at Percival even though Percival had been terrified and shaking with fear. “You’re weak… And what use is a weak phoenix to me?”
Percival suppressed a shiver. “Was I like my uncle before?”
“No.” Then Leo hesitated. “At least, I don’t think so. Look, I didn’t know you very well before. And I only met your uncle that one time we went to see him. But?—”
Leo paused as if thinking. “You were an arrogant arsehole when we interacted. But there was a ruthless cruelty to your uncle that I never saw in you. And some of the stuff he said, it got me thinking.”
Percival tilted his head. “About what?”
“Your uncle said he moulded you into something tougher.” Leo’s brows lowered. “He said you’d been soft in your previous lives and he knocked that frailty out of you.”
Percival frowned. “Wait. You think my uncle made me into an arsehole in my last life?”
“Maybe. It sounded like he’d been harsh and cruel with you. It also sounded like maybe you were different, perhaps nicer, in your other lives too.”
Leo exhaled. “Look, I don’t know. It’s hard to guess at your past lives when we only have one conversation with your vile uncle to go on. And I don’t trust anything that prick says.”
Leo turned to face Percival. “But you’ve got a new beginning. You’re making the most of it. You’re not a prick now.” He squeezed Percival’s hand. “In fact, I think you’re pretty wonderful. And I’m very fond of the Percy I’ve gotten to know.”
“I’m very fond of you too.” Percival smiled as a tingling sensation spread from the touch of their hands throughout his body. “I’m glad you were the one who found me and took me in.”
“Me too.” Leo lifted his mug of hot chocolate. “To new beginnings.”
Percival clinked his mug to Leo’s. “To new beginnings. And to a future together.”
Leo’s smile widened. “To a future together.”
Percival could picture years ahead of them, in the bakery, them sleeping curled up in Leo’s bed, at the Christmas markets. They had a bright, beautiful future.
As long as I don’t become an arrogant jerk again.
He sipped his hot chocolate, ignoring that thought.
That won’t happen.
He had Leo by his side. His uncle was not a part of his life. There was no reason for him to become anything like the phoenix he’d been in his last life.
Chapter
Twenty-Eight
Leo’s whole body buzzed as he walked home, hand in hand with Percival. He kept stealing kisses from Percival’s lips, which tasted of hot chocolate and peppermint. He couldn’t wait to get Percival naked in his bed.
