Page 6 of The Lost Art of Finding Where You Belong (Lost Arts #2)

Chapter Three

P erian awoke to the delightful feeling of a hand wrapped around his cock, and Brannal slowly jerked him off before he slid inside of him and brought himself to completion as Perian begged to be filled up.

He knew this morning meant parting, but he had to admit this was a really nice way to begin the day.

They cleaned up together, then got dressed because Perian wasn’t allowed to hide all of Brannal’s clothes and make him stay here in his sleep trousers for the foreseeable future.

Perian decided to mark his gender today with the round green glass beads that he had been wearing when he’d been rescued.

They would always make him think of Brannal, and he needed that boost today.

Brannal let him braid dark clay beads into his own hair, a standard cluster of three that almost blended into the dark strands.

Perian patted them as he pulled Brannal’s hair back, carefully tying it at the nape of his neck. They both looked into the vanity mirror.

“How’s that?”

“Perfect,” Brannal said, reflection smiling at him. “Thank you.”

Perian knew Brannal could have done it himself, and he appreciated the intimate moment .

They had breakfast, just like they normally did, and Perian really did try not to seem depressed.

“Only seven days,” Brannal reminded him.

Apparently, Perian wasn’t succeeding very well. He offered a rueful smile.

“Do you know how much my life changed in the first seven days I was mobile here in the castle?”

Brannal’s lips pressed together. “Now that you say that, I’m a little wary of all the things that could happen while I’m gone.”

Perian laughed. “Oh, good, so now we’re both worried about what’s going to happen while we’re separated?”

“We were never not both worried,” Brannal said, before squinting a little. “Too many negatives there. I’m not delighted by this either, I promise.”

“But it’s your job,” Perian said before Brannal had to. “A very important job that I’m very proud of you for doing. I don’t mean to be like this. I’m not, usually.”

Brannal reached for his hand and twined their fingers together.

“It’s all right to be worried. Concern is perfectly normal.”

Perian nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat.

Just because something had gone disastrously wrong once in his life didn’t mean it was going to do so again.

And even if it did, there wasn’t anything he could do about it.

Well, he could beg Brannal not to go, but if he did that, he might as well acknowledge right now that he couldn’t be in a relationship with the leader of the Mage Warriors.

Not to mention, six years ago, Cormal’s father the then-Summus and the Prince and multiple other people had died—right here in the castle.

That could have been Brannal. Even the castle wasn’t impenetrable.

And it was Brannal who had been able to throw up shields and protect everyone.

That was something he could do anywhere he went.

Perian blew out a breath, squeezed Brannal’s hand, and made himself let it go.

“I know it’s going to be fine. I truly am proud of you, and I know you’ll do everything you can to come back in one piece.”

“I certainly will,” Brannal said. His eyes flashed. “I seem to remember a promise to ‘have so much sex with me’ when I got back.”

Perian snorted, lip curling up. “I did say that, didn’t I?”

“You sure did. ”

Perian grinned at him. “Just think about how pent up I’ll be when you get back. Why, I imagine you could get three or four orgasms out of me if you tried hard enough.”

Brannal’s eyes went hot and dark, and he made a hungry sound.

“Over the table,” he ordered.

“Hmm?” Perian asked with mock innocence.

“Bend over the table right now.”

Perian made a mental note to tease Brannal at the breakfast table way more often, and happily did as instructed.

Afterwards, as Brannal set all his clothing to rights, he observed, “You are such a bad influence on me.”

He didn’t sound upset at all.

“You’re welcome,” Perian said cheerfully.

Brannal really did need to leave, though, and Perian could only delay it with so many orgasms before his legs would turn to jelly. With all Brannal’s layers and weaponry in place, he looked every inch the Mage Warrior, with thick muscles, square jaw, flashing dark eyes, and leather armor.

Staring at the emblem for the Mage Warriors, crossed swords with the elements between them, Perian reminded himself yet again that Brannal could control all of them.

And he had multiple daggers. And a sword.

And lots of other Warriors and Mage Warriors going with him. He was in the best position to succeed.

Perian joined the many well-wishers who were seeing off the extremely competent, everything would be fine team of Mage Warriors and Warriors going on patrol.

Perian knew Brannal was feeling at least a bit of the strain, because he actually pulled Perian close and kissed him in full view of everyone. Perian melted into the kiss and slung his arms around Brannal’s neck, holding him as close as possible.

“You’d better come back to me,” Perian told him sternly.

“That’s a promise,” Brannal said, eyes dark and sincere as he gazed intently at Perian.

It wasn’t a promise he could guarantee, but Perian still felt better for it being said.

There were all sorts of goodbyes happening all around them, those who would be separated from friends and loved ones for the weeks that the Warriors would be at the watch stations.

Perian was so glad Brannal was just dropping people off and inspecting the station and getting news, not actually staying.

Maybe he would someday, but this was a much more reasonable start.

And then, finally, they were gone. Perian couldn’t make himself leave until they had actually passed completely from sight.

He was not the only one who stayed, and it was with difficulty that he finally made himself turn around and go back into the castle.

They weren’t going to suddenly become visible again—Perian could not stay out here for a full week, that would be ridiculous—and he needed to get on with his day, or someone was going to find him out here hours from now, and it would be embarrassing.

On balance, he decided it would also not be appropriate to rush back to the stables, saddle Prince Horsey, and gallop after Brannal.

Prince Horsey was fast, the Prince probably wouldn’t mind an extended loan of his horse, and Perian was confident he could catch up.

But… there was no plan after that. No, no, he would go back inside, he would train, and it would be fine.

Training was… something short of fine. The physical motion helped to distract him on the one hand, but this was a group of people who had also been affected by some of their friends and colleagues going off with Brannal.

Those who were here training were doing so to be prepared for a situation like the one Brannal was currently riding off to face.

Ugh. Why did everything make Perian think of Brannal?

Even Onadal asked him if he was all right as they were cooling down. Perian suppressed a sigh.

“I’m doing all right, thank you for asking. I didn’t think the separation would hit me as hard as it has.”

To his surprise, Onadal patted him on the shoulder. “It’s never easy being away from people you care about. But you have to get used to it if you want to last.”

Perian nodded. “I’m trying. I hope the first time is the worst.”

Onadal squeezed his shoulder gently and then moved on, and Perian stared after him for a moment and thought he maybe had insight into another reason Delana liked him so much.

Perian had seen the competence, the strength, the no-nonsense behavior, and the good teaching skills, but he hadn’t seen as many glimpses of the heart that was clearly there as well.

Delana had left with Brannal, Perian remembered belatedly; he was not the only one affected.

But Onadal was giving him good advice. Perian wanted to last, and he would try to look on the bright side.

Brannal might be absent, but Perian had a whole week without needing to worry he was going to run into Cormal or that anything—or anyone—was going to be set on fire.

This was definitely Renny’s take on it at lunch.

“Fire and water, why do you look so sad ?” she demanded.

Perian huffed a breath. “It’s not deliberate. It’s just… oozing out of my pores or something.”

Brannal hadn’t been gone for a full day. Not even half a day. Perian was pretty sure there was something wrong with him.

Renny looked a hilarious mixture of a bit sympathetic and a lot impatient.

“He’s coming back.”

“I know,” Perian agreed.

She tilted her head to one side, and her tone changed. “He’s really coming back. Perian, you don’t need to worry.”

He sighed. “I know that rationally. I mean, I know he will do everything in his power to come back, and he has a lot of power at his disposal. I know he has done this dozens of times and come back just fine. But there’s always a chance he won’t come back.

And I’ve gotten so used to having him with me.

It’s just… taking a little while to get used to being alone now. ”

She put her hands on her hips and gave him an unimpressed look. “Excuse me?”

He blinked at her, then laughed. “You know that’s not what I meant. I just… miss him. ”

“Oh, I’m sorry, are the rest of us not keeping you adequately entertained? Are we failing you?”

This was said with so much attitude he knew she wasn’t serious.

“Completely,” he therefore said. “I think I may need to look around for new and better friends.”

She clasped her hands to her chest and flopped dramatically back onto the blanket.

“You have slain me with your cruel words.”

Perian laughed again, and after a moment, Renny tilted her head and said, “Kee says it could use some work. I’ll keep trying.”

She sat up again.

“It’s good to have life goals,” Perian agreed with a nod.