Page 31 of The Lost Art of Finding Where You Belong (Lost Arts #2)

And within moments, Perian was stretched open and sliding down onto the other man’s cock, water sloshing around them as he rode Brannal, chasing the feeling of fullness and contentment, watching Brannal’s dark eyes intent on him, until Brannal surged inside him, Perian spurting into the water.

Perian slumped against Brannal, who wrapped an arm around him to hold him in place.

“So good,” Perian mumbled.

“It really is,” Brannal agreed.

They made sure they were both actually scrubbed clean, and then Brannal got them both out of the bath.

“Come on, time for breakfast. Can’t have the Queen find me naked in the bathtub with you.”

“It wouldn’t be ideal,” Perian agreed. “Mind you, I don’t think she’d be surprised. ”

Letting out a bark of laughter, Brannal agreed, “No, I don’t think she would be. But there are some things my queen definitely doesn’t need to see.”

They dried one another off, because that was much more fun, and then Brannal carefully examined the knife wound, running his fingers over the damaged skin.

“When did this happen?” he asked.

Perian had to stop to think about it. “Uh, four days ago. I’ve been taking really good care of it, and Onadal says I’m not allowed to resume training until it heals completely, something about not wanting to be smote down by you.”

Brannal considered this, and then shrugged. “He’s not wrong.”

Perian rolled his eyes. “Yeah, so I’ve been making sure it heals up as fast as it can. The doctor says I’m one of those lucky people who heals faster than average. I do think it’s looking pretty good.”

Brannal raised the arm closer and carefully pressed a kiss to the damaged skin. A full-body shiver ran through Perian, and Brannal smiled.

“Let’s get you bandaged up again.”

So Perian let Brannal smear on the salve and then bandage the wound.

“This must not have been fun to do yourself,” Brannal observed.

“I didn’t,” Perian answered. “Or almost never. Molun and Arvus took over. They were almost as determined as me to make sure it healed.”

Brannal smiled. “I’m glad.”

Perian could only nod, throat a bit thick, because he really wasn’t sure how he would have gotten through the week without them.

Finally, they dressed, and Perian mourned the loss of all that beautiful skin, but it was also lovely to watch the fully-clothed Brannal appear, every inch the Mage Warrior, just like he had been when he’d saved Perian’s life for the first time, like a fantasy come to life.

Truthfully, there probably wasn’t any version of Brannal that Perian didn’t like.

They moved out to the sitting room, and apparently word had spread that Brannal was back, because there was breakfast for two. They settled at the table, and both hands went for the teapot and then both pulled back, surprised .

Perian laughed. “I had to get used to doing that on my own while you were gone. I definitely prefer when you’re pouring me tea.”

Brannal smiled and obediently did the pouring for both of them.

It was somewhat weird to be doing this together again, but it was also deeply familiar.

Of course, if Perian had learned anything over the past week, it was that he could be filled with mixed emotions.

He could be happy but sad, he could be proud but worried, and he could be filled with bliss but still miss Brannal. Life was actually quite complicated.

That was a good thing, he reminded himself.

If he wanted a life that was simple , he could have stayed on the estate.

Yes, Brannal’s job was dangerous and Perian sometimes got hurt, and not everyone in the castle liked him.

Brannal had to travel, Perian still hadn’t worked out what he was doing with his life, Renny was sick, and Kee was invisible.

Put together, all these things became a life, one Perian was very happy to be living.

There was a knock on the door, and Molun barged in.

“Wow,” he said, frowning at them with exaggerated disapproval. “Everyone’s decent.”

Arvus followed him in. “I tried to stop him.”

“He did,” Molun agreed conscientiously. He nodded to Perian.

“And I do remember you saying we weren’t going to see you for a week.

I don’t mean to interrupt, but apart from the bruises where you kneed me in the groin, I thought it might all have been a dream, and I just wanted to make sure Brannal was actually back and you were all right. ”

Perian jumped up from the table and came over to hug Molun. The other man hugged him back surprisingly hard, and Perian realized Molun really had wanted to check on him.

“I’m sorry for climbing all over you last night,” Perian said.

“You should never be sorry for that,” Molun argued immediately.

Brannal and Arvus snorted in unison.

Sheepishly, Perian admitted, “I sort of forgot there were even other people in the bed when I realized Brannal was there.”

“Ouch,” Molun said theatrically.

They all laughed as Perian tried to protest, “No, no, you know what I mean!”

Arvus said quietly, “We just wanted to see if there was anything you needed us to talk about.”

Perian eyed him in confusion, then saw both their eyes drop to his arm.

“Oh,” Perian drawled, understanding dawning. “No, but thank you. I climbed on him in the bathtub before I told him. We’re all right.”

Molun was all smiles again. “Ooh, that was smart. How much of a mess did he make?”

Arvus’s voice was chiding, “Molun.”

Molun pouted. “Aren’t you curious?”

Brannal interceded. “Not as much of a mess as I’ll make if the man in question and I ever cross paths.”

Molun gave a theatrical shiver. “Ooh, I just got goosebumps. You’re scary when you’re intense like that.”

Perian couldn’t exactly disagree. But it was also so hot .

“But there’s nothing to worry about,” Perian said. “Because my arm is healing right up, and Fomadin has been banned from the castle and the city. I’m perfectly safe, and you’re interrupting our breakfast.”

“Actually,” Brannal cleared his throat. “Arvus, could you take a look at the water closet? I might have… taken a little bit of my ire out on the stone.”

Molun let out a whistle, and Arvus blinked but nodded. “Yes, of course.”

He headed immediately into the bathroom.

“That cracking sound wasn’t my imagination?” Perian asked.

By the time they’d gotten out of the bath, he’d forgotten.

Looking a bit embarrassed, Brannal shook his head. “I’m not as good with stone as Arvus is.”

Arvus reappeared a moment later. “All better.”

Brannal smiled. “Thank you.”

“All right, we’re going.” But Molun had to get the last word in, of course. “Do you think there’s time for a quick one at the table? I’m not convinced there’s time.”

And then he winked at Perian.

There was, as it turned out, time for a quick one at the table. And Perian hadn’t even needed to be the one to do the teasing.

Brannal wouldn’t let Perian come as he thrust to completion inside him, making Perian wait until Brannal dropped to his knees and sucked him into his mouth afterwards. Perian’s knees actually wobbled after he came, and Brannal had to hold on to him for a moment to keep him steady .

“Have I fucked you into exhaustion?” Brannal asked.

He sounded inordinately proud.

“You’ve certainly made a good effort,” Perian agreed. “But I will never say no to this many orgasms in a row. Just give me a minute.”

Presently, he was able to get his legs back under him, sit down, and finish his tea.

It was a miracle they’d not knocked every dish off the table, but fortunately, everything was still intact.

He really didn’t mind if everyone knew they were having sex, but he’d prefer they didn’t make more work for other people because of it.

(Well, except for the people who did the laundry. Perian was sorry for them and should maybe buy them presents, but there was probably always going to be more laundry thanks to their activities.)

And then, finally, it really was time for Brannal to start his day. Probably past time, actually, but he looked remarkably content here with Perian, drinking that last mouthful of tea.

“I’m going to be busy all day,” Brannal told him.

Perian nodded, resigned.

“And I might have dinner with the Queen.”

Perian nodded once more. “The last few nights, I’ve been having dinner in the Warriors’ dining hall. Usually with Molun, Arvus, and Nisal. We typically sit with Onadal and Bennan and some of the others. Onadal invited me, because he wanted to make extra sure everyone knew I was welcome.”

Brannal nodded, though there was a trace of tension in him, which Perian assumed was related to anything even tangentially referencing his wound. “I’m glad.”

“I’ll go watch the training this morning, then I’ve got the picnic with Renny. I tried to warn Prince Horsey I would probably be absent for a few days, but if you’re going to be busy all afternoon, then maybe I’ll go for a ride.”

“Your arm—” Brannal started.

“I’ve been mounting with a mounting block and everything,” Perian told him firmly. “I told Prince Horsey all about my injury, and he’s been extra gentle with me, letting someone else help me get him saddled and everything.”

Brannal looked bemused. “That sounds so sensible.”

“Hey!” Perian protested purely for form’s sake before adding truthfully, “I really did want to get better, to be better when you got back. I don’t mean to get hurt. ”

Brannal leaned down to kiss him softly. “This was absolutely not your fault, but thank you for taking care of yourself. I would certainly have been sad if we couldn’t have had all this sex.”

Perian beamed at him. “I know, right? Oh, and you’re probably going to get knowing looks from everyone who’s talked to me in the last week. Sorry about that.”

But Brannal was grinning. “That doesn’t sound like something to be sorry about at all.”

Perian grinned back. “And now you know what I’m doing all day.

After the ride, I usually come back here to get cleaned up, and I’ve been taking a little nap or reading—I think my body is still recovering.

If at any point during the day, you suddenly find yourself free, you can track me down. For anything.”

He winked, as if Brannal couldn’t have figured out what Perian meant.

Brannal groaned and gave him another kiss. “That is an extraordinarily tempting offer, but I think it highly unlikely I’ll be able to get away today.”

Perian nodded, gave him a quick kiss back, and then clarified, “I was just teasing. I mean, obviously, I’m up for it if you unexpectedly find yourself at loose ends, but I really do expect you to be busy all day.

I’m so grateful you gave us this time last night and this morning.

I won’t be at all surprised if I don’t see you until bedtime, all right? ”

Brannal nodded, stole one more kiss, and then pulled himself away with flattering reluctance.

“I’m going. I truly don’t want the Queen to have to send someone to find me. Until tonight, Perian.”

Perian nodded, watching him go. He picked up his cup and took another sip of the cooling tea.

That had been such a whirlwind. He was so glad Brannal had sneaked back.

On top of all the glorious sex they’d had, he was very glad he’d had the chance to explain how he’d been injured before anyone else had.

And also mentioned the Bennan thing, too, just in case.

There’d always be rumors, which Perian didn’t mind, but he wouldn’t have wanted Brannal to spend all day wondering about the truth.

This way, they could hopefully both concentrate on what they were doing and have another very enjoyable reunion tonight.

Perian poured himself one more cup of tea, feeling like it somehow extended that feeling of Brannal being back with him, as though the fact he’d poured Perian’s first mug of tea this morning meant all the tea from the pot was from him.

It was soothing even if it was silly, and Perian wrapped his hands around the cup and let the heat radiate into his palms, feeling remarkably content.