Page 23 of A Phoenix Reborn at Christmas

The orange eyes of Lord Percival Everflame, which were the same in human and phoenix form, stared into Leo’s. “I… I don’t remember. I don’t remember what happened to me.”

“You don’t?” Leo asked.

Lord Everflame shook his head. “I don’t remember… I…” His brows furrowed. He stood on shaky legs. His gaze darted around the dirty alley before returning to Leo. “What… What happened to me? How did I get here?”

Leo frowned. Lord Percival Everflame didn’t seem his usual composed, stuck-up self. In fact, he appeared rather nervous.

“I don’t know what happened to you.” Leo held out his hands in what was hopefully a calming gesture.

It felt strange. He was used to mocking the phoenix, not treating him with gentleness.

But maybe something bad had happened to him. After all, to be reborn, you had to die, right? He was pretty sure that was how it worked. He glanced around the alley. He’d not seen a sign of an attacker. Maybe the man had had a heart attack or some sudden phoenix illness had killed him.

“You were a small bird when I found you, like a chick. Then you grew into a large phoenix. Then you transformed into…” Leo gestured at Lord Everflame’s human form. His very naked human form. “Are you cold?”

Lord Everflame blinked. Then he stared down at his body.

Leo glanced down at the man’s bare toned chest. He kept lowering his gaze, tracing the trail of red hair below his belly that went southwards.

Leo forced his eyes back to the phoenix’s. It was not appropriate to be ogling the man’s body in this situation.

“Well, I think you should head home. It’s late. That’s probably where you should be,” Leo said. “No doubt you have family or…someone who could assist you there. And then you can get dressed or do whatever it is you need to do.”

And although Leo had seen no sign of danger, that didn’t mean there wasn’t something lurking around. Could be thieves nearby. Best they both leave.

Lord Everflame didn’t respond, just stared at Leo, brows still furrowed. Leo really didn’t know what to make of the phoenix’s new manner. He acted so differently from what Leo was used to.

“I’ve had a long day. So I’ll head home too.” Leo pointed in the direction of his home. “Goodnight.”

Lord Percival Everflame didn’t move. He just stared at Leo, his hands clasped tightly in front of his bare stomach.

“Well, I’ll see you later.” Leo gave a somewhat awkward smile, turned, and began to walk away.

He’d barely taken a step when a warm hand wrapped around his wrist and squeezed.

Leo looked back into wide orange eyes.

Lord Everflame leaned towards him. Then Leo noticed that towards the edges of his orange pupils were flecks of dark brown. In fact, a brown ring surrounded the whole orange pupil.

“Where do I live?” Lord Everflame whispered.

Leo let out a shocked laugh. “What? You can’t be serious.” But as he stared into those wide eyes, he saw the terror lurking in their depths. “You really don’t know where you live?”

Lord Everflame shook his head. “No.”

“How do you not know where you live?”

Lord Everflame swallowed, Adam’s apple bobbing. “I… I don’t remember.”

Leo stared around the alley. The fire burning the barrels and crates had died down greatly. The raven hopped up beside Lord Everflame’s foot, glancing between them.

“I’m sorry. But I don’t know where you live.” Leo had only ever seen Lord Everflame in the bakery. He had no idea where the man went after. Or where he’d come from before.

The phoenix’s warm hand, gripping Leo’s wrist, trembled. “Can I come with you?”

Leo’s eyebrows raised. He stared at Lord Everflame. He must be really desperate to ask to go with Leo to his apartment.

“You really can’t remember where you live?” Leo asked. “Not the street or district?”