Page 50 of A Phoenix Reborn at Christmas

Leo squeezed his arms. “You’ve been through a lot these past few days. My family are happy to help you. I’m happy to help you. In fact, I’m really glad you came into my life.”

Percival found that hard to believe, especially after all the trouble he’d brought.

Leo cupped Percival’s cheek, lifting his face until their eyes met. “If it isn’t bloody obvious, I really like you. A lot.” Leo smiled. “And yeah, maybe it has been a chaotic couple of days. But you’re worth it, Percy. You’re kind. You’re sweet. You’re beautiful. You’re not a burden! You’re a fucking Christmas present.”

Percival laughed. Some of the tension in his chest ebbed. “Really?”

Leo nodded. “In fact, I feel kind of guilty.”

“Why would you feel guilty?” Percival frowned.

“Because you’re going through all this chaotic shit. You died, you were reborn, and you lost all your memories. You’re hurting.” Leo stepped in close. “And I can’t help but feel grateful that all of that happened to you, because it means you are here now. With me. And I’m really glad you’re here with me.”

Percival stared at him a moment. “I can’t really blame you for being grateful all that stuff happened to me, because when you put it like that, I’m glad all that stuff happened to me too.”

“Yeah?” The corner of Leo’s lips lifted.

“I am. It brought me to you.” A tingling sensation spread through Percival’s chest. He leaned forward and kissed Leo.

A few moments later, they continued back to Leo’s home, holding hands.

“Did you still want to try shifting today?” Leo asked.

Percival nodded. “I’d like to. I need to be sure that I can.”

He felt so disconnected from his kind and all his previous lives. It was unsettling.

Perhaps if he shifted, perhaps if he became the phoenix, he’d feel more grounded in who and what he was. He might not remember his past lives, nor did he know how long he’d existed, or how many lives he’d lived. But he was still a phoenix.

Now he just needed to prove that to himself.

They stopped in the alley behind the bakery.

“I don’t envy you having to undress.” Leo glanced up at the falling snow. “It’s colder than a witch’s tit out here.” A brisk breeze tore through the alley.

Percival laughed. “I can stand the cold. Although, I definitely preferred Avery and Jack’s library. That room was deliciously warm.”

“Really? It was fucking boiling in there. I could barely breathe. I don’t know how Jack can tolerate it. Maybe being a dragon’s mate makes him more capable of handling the heat. For Jack’s sake, I hope so.”

Percival removed his clothes and handed them to Leo, whose gaze flitted over Percival’s body. His eyes gleamed appreciatively. Percival’s gut tightened.

But none of that now. First, he needed to shift. Then they could get up to the fun stuff.

Percival walked to the middle of the alley. The snow melted before his feet touched it. He pressed his lips together. Truth was, even if the cold did not harm him, it was rather unpleasant.

He let out a breath, watching it cloud in the air.

Okay. Time to do this. Time to shift.

He closed his eyes. He opened his arms wide as if he could stretch them into wings. He held still.

Now what? How do I shift?

His throat clenched.What if I can’t do it? What if I forgot how when I lost my memories?He shook his head, as if to dislodge the fears trying to take root.

No. I am a phoenix. I am a phoenix. I am still a phoenix!

He felt a tiny spark inside him, right at his core. He focused all his attention on that one spot. Then heat rapidly spread through his chest and stomach, into his limbs, right to his fingers, toes, and to the top of his head. He gasped as his nerves tingled. He vibrated.