Page 54 of The Lost Art of Finding Where You Belong (Lost Arts #2)

In the morning, Brannal slid into Perian from behind, and this sex was slow and languid, the perfect way to wake up. Perian was pretty sure Brannal had chosen it to try to lessen that feeling of urgency, the knowledge that their time here was coming to an end .

Perian pulsed into the sheets one last time as Brannal spilled deep inside him, and he let out a very satisfied sound, even if part of him had wanted to hold out, had wondered if he didn’t come, if they could stay like this and never leave.

Not exactly a realistic expectation.

They eventually climbed out of bed, Perian with great reluctance, but he didn’t want to spoil this perfect holiday by being depressed at its ending.

As they got cleaned up in the bathroom, Perian came over and wrapped his arms around Brannal, giving him a hug from behind in a reversal of their usual configuration. It also let Perian feel those beautiful chest and back muscles, which was never a hardship. Perian pressed a kiss to his shoulder.

“Thank you,” Perian told him. “This has been so very wonderful.”

Brannal spun around and took Perian’s lips in a fervent but unhurried kiss.

“I agree,” Brannal said. “And it couldn’t have been that way without you. Thank you for making it so wonderful with me.”

They got dressed a final time, and they packed, Brannal assuring him that their belongings would be returned after them.

Perian should probably have expected it but didn’t when Brannal held out another package to him, this one small and square.

“Another gift?”

Brannal smiled faintly. “One for each day, for all the memories we made.”

Perian was absolutely not going to forget a moment of any of this.

He sat down on the bed, and Brannal sat down beside him as he untied the piece of string and pulled the lid off the box. He folded back the delicate cloth inside, and his breath caught.

“I know you don’t wear an earth talisman,” Brannal said. “So I thought maybe you wouldn’t mind wearing this. It’s got the elements on it.”

Perian could see where the images had been etched onto the metal, a flame and drop of water on one side. With fingers that shook a little, he flipped it over to see a curl of wind and the outline of a leaf beneath it.

“It’s so beautiful,” Perian breathed.

“Will you wear it?” Brannal asked.

“Yes, of course.” His voice was a bit choked .

Perian’s hands shook so badly he had trouble picking it up, so Brannal lifted out the delicate piece of metal on its chain and fastened it around Perian’s neck. They both looked down at Perian’s chest, where the small disk nestled.

He sniffed. “I love it, thank you.”

No one, no one had ever gotten Perian jewelry before, nothing that wasn’t beads for his hair. No one had ever wanted to give him something he could always wear, that would always make Perian think of them, every single day.

Brannal smiled at him, eyes so very warm, and Perian had to lean in and kiss him.

“I love you,” Perian breathed against Brannal’s skin. “I will never, ever forget any of this, not as long as I live.”

“I’m glad,” Brannal said, eyes bright with emotions. “I want us to build memories together.”

Perian nodded, a lump in his throat, because that was exactly what he wanted too, memories of all the wonderful things they had done together, hopefully the memories of a lifetime.

While it still felt a bit too early to talk about forever —or maybe Perian was just scared—it felt less early than it had before this holiday.

They were in love, and it certainly felt to Perian like they’d committed in a way that was becoming…

unshakable. Like their foundation was being reformed day by day to be a combined one, stronger than they each had on their own, and when it was finished, there would never be anything that could tear them apart.

Perian wanted that so badly he ached for it.

And Brannal had surprised him with this holiday, showered him with gifts, and definitely given him the best sex of his life.

It was… everything Perian had never known to ask for.

This was everything he wanted, and it seemed, unbelievably, to be what he had .

It made him feel brave enough to speak. He cleared his throat.

“So, uh, I know we originally said we were going to enjoy what was between us. And, I mean, I think we’re doing that so well .

Like, fabulously. But I was hoping you would maybe be interested in something a little more serious than that? ”

For a moment, Brannal just looked surprised, and there was a dizzying swoop in Perian’s stomach as he worried he’d somehow got everything wrong.

But then Brannal pulled him into his arms and kissed him thoroughly .

“Oh, yes, Perian, of course. I’m sorry. I realize this is a moment where communication is essential. If I’m being honest, I’ve considered us to be well past that since, I don’t know, the end of the first week?”

And Perian could only laugh, because he’d thought the same thing, only neither of them had said so .

Brannal leaned in to press a brief kiss to his lips this time.

“I don’t consider this to be anything remotely casual. I know there’s still plenty we have to work out, and you have a home that isn’t in the castle. But I’d like to figure it out with you, if you’re interested.”

“So very interested,” Perian assured him. He couldn’t seem to stop smiling. “I’d like that very much.”

They just stared at one another, smiling, until Perian’s stomach rumbled audibly.

“Breakfast?” Brannal asked with a laugh.

Perian nodded and tucked the necklace under his shirt.

They went down to the parlor, and Brannal poured them both tea as he always did, and they ate another lovely meal. Perian was sad this holiday was coming to an end, but he was buoyed by the fact that Brannal loved him and they’d agreed to be together, to really try this.

It was a wonderful feeling, and Perian tried to draw it in and let it infuse his entire being. It was going to be different, going back to the castle. Part of Perian felt like everything had changed, but in some ways, nothing had.

As they were leaving, Perian assured the innkeeper that everything had been wonderful. Brannal had already settled the bill, but the woman seemed genuinely pleased to hear about how much Perian liked everything.

“Come back anytime,” she said with a big smile. “We were happy to have you.”

This sounded genuine, so she either really hadn’t minded all the sex, or Brannal had paid her well enough to make up for it. Maybe both.

In the stable, they startled the stable hand and the server, who, if they hadn’t been locked in an embrace, certainly looked as though they’d wanted one.

The stable hand cleared their throat and assured them, “I’ll have your horses ready in just a moment!”

“We’re not in a hurry,” Perian assured them, as the server hurried past them with a smile that was full of bashful gratitude.

Oh, Perian was so glad they’d come here.

The horses were soon ready, and the innkeeper came out to the yard to see them off as Perian and Brannal mounted up. She assured them their belongings would be sent on later in the day, with a cart that was heading into the city for supplies.

“Thank you!” Perian said again. “We’ll never forget this place.”

And then they were leaving. It was harder than Perian thought it would be to turn his back on that little inn and face the road back to the castle again.

“Are we not going to be able to go on holidays because you’re going to be too sad when they’re over?” Brannal asked.

This made Perian laugh. “No, that would be a terrible reason not to go on holidays. I am going to see right through you if you ever suggest that’s why we can’t leave the castle.”

It was Brannal’s turn to chuckle. “We both know my work is what’s going to keep us there more often than we might wish.”

“But it means these times are extra special,” Perian said, not sure if Brannal felt bad about that.

Brannal offered him a smile. “Thank you.”

It was another beautiful day, although there were darker clouds on the horizon in front of them.

“Is that meant to be symbolic?” Perian wanted to know, gesturing at the clouds.

“Oh, are we leaving the idyll behind?” Brannal asked.

Perian nodded.

“Well, there is likely to be more drama at the castle, notwithstanding your ability to set up people you don’t know wherever you are.”

“It was like two flames,” Perian said, trying to figure out how to explain it.

“Two flames burning, but not quite near enough to merge together and become bigger and more beautiful. But you know that if they were just that little bit closer, they could . And so you give a little nudge, so they can reach one another, and then they do, and they are .”

Brannal seemed to consider this explanation, which Perian realized only after he’d said it was maybe not entirely rational.

Brannal said, “That’s a lovely image. I don’t think it’s something all of us are capable of seeing.”

Suddenly, Perian laughed. “Oh, perhaps that ’s what I’m meant to be doing, getting people together? Is that my purpose at the castle? ”

Brannal cast him a look of some horror, and that made Perian laugh even harder.

“Don’t worry, don’t worry,” he said, still giggling. “I won’t plan to do it professionally. I just… It’s like ignoring flames, you know, when you can see them reaching for one another.”

Brannal huffed a breath, shaking his head but looking amused.

“I am well aware you can’t leave things alone. Just be careful. I’m not sure everyone would like to be… nudged.”

Perian nodded and said more soberly, “No, I do understand that. And I was maybe a little heavy-handed with Chamis. I really do mean always to leave it up to them to make a decision. This was just to give them an opportunity if they wanted to seize it. I know there are all sorts of entirely valid reasons why people who could get together don’t.

I just hate for it to be because they’re unsure about the other person’s feelings.

That seems such a terrible reason to not be happy, don’t you think? ”

Brannal nodded. “Yes, that would be sad.”

But Perian would be careful. And he’d have many other things to occupy his time.

He might not have a profession like the others, but he was filling his days with meaning.

He had wonderful friends who cared about him, and the best man who loved him.

And a wonderful little girl to have picnics with.

He definitely wanted to see Renny for himself and make sure everything was all right.

And if he maybe saw things that others didn’t notice, didn’t it make sense that he try to do something about it?

Besides, imagine what could happen if he helped Cormal get together with someone.

Perian would have done him a good turn and Cormal would have someone else to focus his attention on.

If Perian and Brannal really were going to last, then he needed to be better than almost civil with the man’s Secundus, didn’t he?

What better way to make sure they got along than to help him find happiness?

“What are you plotting?” Brannal wanted to know.

“Hmm?” Perian asked with an attempt at innocence. “Oh, nothing. Looking forward to getting back, that’s all.”

Brannal didn’t look at all convinced, but after a moment, he simply said, “Race?”

Perian was nudging Lily into motion before the syllable had even finished leaving Brannal’s mouth, because there was no way he was going to let the other man cheat again. Lily galloped forward, Perian shouting with laughter and exhilaration.

“We can do it this time, we can beat him, I’m sure of it!”

She was smaller than Warrior, but Perian was lighter than Brannal. They might make it.

They actually ended up neck in neck, and Perian was pretty sure Brannal was holding Warrior back a little. But it was wonderful to gallop together.

In unspoken accord, they began to slow down, and they settled into a more reasonable pace.

The clouds loomed larger in front of them.

“I still feel like it’s trying to tell me something,” Perian said.

“That rain is coming,” Brannal countered, entirely prosaically.

Perian laughed.

Brannal had a way of putting everything in perspective, and the fact he had planned this entire outing told Perian everything he needed to know. Brannal loved him, and they would face the future together.