Page 40 of A Phoenix Reborn at Christmas

Leo chuckled. “Haven’t you heard that the Berry family all have bleeding hearts?”

Percival tilted his head. “Is that your last name, Berry?”

“It is. And we’ll look after you. We’ll give you a fresh start.”

For several seconds, Percival just stared at Leo. Then Percival hugged him and buried his face against his neck. “Thank you, Leo. Thank you so much. And I like that, a fresh start. A new beginning.”

Leo held Percival, and even though he felt a bit guilty about it, he was glad he hadn’t lost this sweet phoenix.

Chapter

Eighteen

Percival sat on a chair before a roaring fire. His hands were wrapped around a cup of lemon balm tea with honey, which Leo had given him. Leo had also fed him Christmas cookies, bread, cheese, smoked sausages, and dried fruit. He had then laid a blanket over Percival’s lap and wrapped another around his shoulders.

“I’ll go over to Avery’s and see if he has any books on phoenixes amongst his hoard,” Briar, Leo’s brother, said.

Beside Briar stood a tall man with broad shoulders and wild hair. This was Wulfric, Briar’s werewolf mate.

“Hopefully Avery will have something.” Briar smiled. “Of course, he’ll probably start buying books on phoenixes if he knows we need them.”

“We’ll head there now.” Wulfric looked at Percival. “If we’re lucky, we can find information to help you.”

“Thanks.” Leo sat beside Percival on the settee.

“Yes, thank you, Briar and Wulfric. I appreciate your assistance.” Percival wasn’t sure who Avery was or why he had a hoard of books. But he thought the man was probably family based on the way they spoke of him.

Briar and Wulfric departed. That left Percival and Leo with another brother, Lachlan, and his partner, Kit. Percival had seen the two last night when Leo had brought him home. But he’d met them properly today.

Leo really did have a massive family. It was a little overwhelming. But Leo had been right. His family hadn’t minded taking Percival in. And they’d been far kinder to Percival than his own uncle had been. But he didn’t have the strength to think about his uncle anymore today.

Percival took a sip of his tea. The warm liquid slid down his throat. All four of them held cups of tea as they sat on chairs around the fireplace. The Berry family seemed very keen on tea.

Had Percival liked tea in his previous lives? He stared into the cup as if he’d find the answer in the clear liquid.

Kit leaned against Lachlan. Lachlan’s arm wrapped around Kit’s shoulders.

Percival glanced at Leo, who stared into the fire. He exhaled. No doubt the day had been taxing on Leo too. After all, he’d taken in a phoenix with no family, no memories, and no ability to care for himself.

Percival shifted closer to him on the settee. He wanted to thank Leo again. He wanted to thank the man a million times more. Percival really didn’t know what he’d do without Leo. He shifted closer, until their shoulders touched.

Leo glanced at him. He smiled.

Holding his breath, Percival leaned against him. He rested his head on Leo’s shoulder. For a heartbeat, Leo didn’t move. Percival wondered if he should pull away and apologise. Then Leo wrapped his arm around Percival’s shoulders.

A smile blossomed across Percival’s lips. He closed his eyes and let out a breath. Leo’s presence settled the chaos and confusion inside him.

But it was more than that too. He liked Leo more than he could put into words.

Percival opened his eyes and looked at Lachlan and Kit, who paid them no mind as they cuddled. Percival wanted what they had. And he wanted Leo to be his partner.

He was being rash. After all, he’d only been reborn yesterday. But Percival knew his feelings. He knew he wanted Leo. He didn’t know much else. But he knew that.

And maybe they had hated each other in his last life. But this was a new one! It was a clean slate. A fresh start to a new life, and he wanted Leo in this one. He placed his hand on Leo’s leg, just above the knee. And after a second, Leo placed his hand on top of Percival’s, threading their fingers together.

Percival smiled. He wanted to touch Leo everywhere. He wanted to kiss him. He wanted to hold him. Would Leo want that too?

“So you’ll be working in the bakery with us, Percy?” Lachlan asked.