Page 84 of A Phoenix Reborn at Christmas

What the fuck was he doing back in this hellscape? He rubbed a hand over his face, smearing soot and ash.

He didn’t want to be back here with his uncle, who’d bullied and yelled at him for years.

He let out a choked laugh. And after his last rebirth, he and Leo had gone to his uncle for help! His uncle had thrown him out. He’d discarded Percival like he was nothing.

And when Percival returned moments ago, his uncle had pretended none of that had happened!

But Percival was glad his uncle had turned him away. Because then he’d stayed with Leo. And they’d fallen in love.

Fuck my uncle! Fuck my life here! Fuck who I used to be! I need Leo!

Percival stumbled to his feet. His head swam. He licked his lips as he took a shaky breath. He had to get out of here.

He didn’t want this life! He didn’t want to be near his uncle.

He wanted the bakery. He wanted Leo!

He staggered forward. He tripped. He leaned against the wall, sucking air into his lungs as the room swam.

Leo!

He’d said such horrible things to Leo. He’d yelled at him. Accused him. He’d made Leo cry.

Percival gasped. He had to get to Leo and fix this!

Pushing himself from the wall, he took two wobbly steps. His legs gave out. He collapsed to the floor.

Face pressed against the ground, he stared at the window, at Ebony.

TAP. TAP. TAP.The taps came faster now. Ebony squawked, flapping her wings, as if telling him to get up.

Percival tried to move, but his body was too heavy. His limbs would not respond.

TAP. TAP. TAP.

Heavy footsteps approached his door. It opened.

Percival couldn’t turn his neck to look at the new arrival. But the individual walked across the floor and stood in front of him.

“Good to have you back, cousin. Enjoy your tea?” Cyprian grinned.

The servant who’d given Percival the tea came up behind Cyprian. She smiled.

In the window, Ebony took flight. It was the last thing Percival saw before the darkness engulfed him.

Chapter

Thirty-Nine

Leo hunched forward on the chair before the fire. He let out a slow breath. He held one of Percival’s large orange feathers in his hand. He turned it, watching the golden light from the fire dance on the iridescent feather.

Will I ever see my firebird again?

He almost laughed. No doubt he would. Because already he wanted to go to Percival. So he’d go to Percival.

He’d probably beg. He had no idea for what. To be remembered? To be loved again? He doubted it would do anything.

Still, he knew he’d seek Percival out. Even if he knew Percival would scorn him and turn him away. Because he couldn’t bear the thought of never seeing the phoenix again.