Page 49 of A Phoenix Reborn at Christmas

“Avery is always eager to provide assistance,” Uzoth said.

Leo nodded. “And Jack has a day off today. Which means he’ll be home too. We could go there now.”

But first, they went and bought paper, ink, and a quill from a nearby store, since they hadn’t known they’d need to draw something. They copied the symbol and then went to Avery and Jack’s.

Percival had learnt that Jack was another of Leo’s siblings. Avery was his dragon mate. Uzoth left to return to Grady, since they no longer needed protection.

Percival wanted to return too. He wanted to go back to Leo’s home and curl up in Leo’s bed with Leo. He didn’t want to have to deal with any of this.

When they arrived, a faun servant showed them to the library door.

“Give me a second. I need to explain who you are before you come in.” Then Leo knocked and ducked into the room.

He could hear talking. Then Leo returned. Sweat beaded on his forehead. “Come on in. Time to meet even more of my family.”

Intense heat washed over Percival as he entered. Percival exhaled with pleasure.

Then he sucked in a breath. A red dragon lay curled up on the floor around an egg. His piercing eyes watched Percival as he entered. Shelves and stacks of books filled the room.

A human stood beside the dragon. “Hello, Percy. I’m Jack. Welcome to our home. Leo said you could use Avery’s help.”

Leo and Percival filled them in. Jack nodded, asking questions whilst Avery listened. Jack and Avery could speak telepathically, which meant Jack could relay messages from Avery whilst he remained in his dragon form.

“Avery isn’t sure what this symbol is.” Jack held the paper in his hands.

Percival held in a sigh. All that and they still knew nothing about how he had died.

Then Jack looked back at Avery, who stared at the drawing. “But he says he can look into it. He can try and hire someone to help us.”

“Really? That would be great,” Leo said.

“Yes. Thank you both so much.” Maybe they’d learn something after all.

Avery huffed, and smoke rose into the air.

“He says you’re welcome.” Jack smiled.

Chapter

Twenty-Two

“Should we return to work?” Percival asked as they left Avery and Jack’s home.

Leo shook his head. “Not today. We should be working at the Christmas markets tonight, but the others will cover for us.” He wrapped his arm around Percival. “We’ll just head home. You’ve had a big day.”

Percival stared at the quickly darkening street ahead of them. With every step, his throat tightened. “I’m so sorry, Leo. I’m causing you so many problems. You took me in. You looked after me. You gave me a job. And on my first day, I only worked a few hours. Thenyouhad to take the day off so you could help me!”

Percival ran a hand through his hair. Sparks of heat burst along his skin. “All you and your family have done is be kind to me, and how have I repaid you? By disrupting your lives!”

“Hey.” Leo stopped walking. He took Percival’s hand, tugging him so Percival halted and faced Leo.

“It’s fine.” Leo placed his hands on Percival’s arms. “My siblings will work it out. Someone will cover for us at the Christmas markets. The worst case is it will be a little hectic. Butthey can handle it. They’ve handled worse. It’s no big deal. It’s fine.”

But Percival shook his head. “It’s not fine. Not when you’ve already done so much for me. I don’t deserve your family. I don’t deserve you!”

“That’s not true!”

Percival stared down at Leo’s boots. “I don’t want to be your burden.”