Page 112 of The Lost Art of Seducing a Mage Warrior

Brannal explained, “By the time I got to Onadal, he told me that there was room for you three days a week in the mornings, possibly four, but you’d do well to keep the pastries coming.”

Perian grinned. “Done.”

“I am actually able to manage this sort of thing,” Brannal said, and Perian realized he sounded put out for real.

Perian’s grin faded, and he agreed seriously, “Of course, you are. You manage all of it on a regular basis. It’s your job.” Oh, was that the problem? “I didn’t mean to imply otherwise. But this was a favor for me, so I’d much prefer that the effort comes from me, you know?”

Especially if they were trying to prevent any accusations of favoritism.

Brannal considered this, and then he conceded, “I can respect that. But please don’t think I’m not able and willing to do things for you. I know that we’re still figuring this out and navigating how everyone else is reacting to our relationship, but it’s not something I’m going to hide. I would have made it perfectly clear to Onadal that he was not obligated to agree and that it would have been a personal favor to me.”

Perian smiled at him. “I definitely don’t mind knowing that everyone has to deal with our relationship.”

Brannal snorted. “Of course that’s what you took out of that.”

They passed by the kitchen, and Perian got several of last year’s carrots and apples, as well as a few cubes of sugar.

Brannal eyed his bounty. “And what did you do to get on the good side of everyone in the kitchen?”

Perian regarded him with amusement. “Do they not like you?”

Brannal huffed. “They like me fine. Or at least, they’re perfectly willing to serve me, and they are fully aware of the position I hold. But they don’t dothat.”

He gestured broadly, which Perian took to encompass everything he was now carrying.

“Possibility of two things,” he said after a moment of consideration. “One, some of them might think I’m pretty. Nisal and Renny both commented on it. Sometimes it means people are really nice to me. Or if you’re twelve, it doesn’t quite cancel out the ‘old’ factor.”

Brannal snorted.

“Two,” Perian continued, “I’m pretty sure it’s something along the lines of making their little princess happy and having picnics with her. And possibly teaching her how to knee someone in the balls. I’m not absolutely certain how far the truth about that spread.”

Brannal shook his head. “Sometimes it’s very hard to figure out how to describe you. You encompass so many ways of being.”

“Thank you,” Perian said, head tilted to one side. “I think.”

“Oh, it’s definitely a compliment,” Brannal assured him, eyes warm and fond.

Perian smiled back at him, once again feeling what Nisal had described this morning asbesotted.

They made their way out to the stables, and Perian asked where he could put some of these treats because he was not dumb enough to take them all over to Prince Horsey at the same time.

He put the sugar cubes in his pocket, divested himself of most of the apples and carrots, and handed a couple over to Brannal because Warrior really deserved some too. Then Perian made his way over to the stall at the back of the stables.

“Good afternoon, Prince Horsey,” Perian said cheerfully. “How are you doing today? Have you decided that you’re going to stomp me after all, or do you think you’d like to go out for a ride again today? I’ve got treats.”

Prince Horsey shook his mane and snorted, nostrils flaring, ears pricking forward. He definitely smelled the treats.

“I told you I’d bring them,” Perian reminded him. “Sorry it took me a couple days, I’ve been having a long week. But here you go.”

He fed Prince Horsey two carrots and an apple and then was able to get him bridled and saddled and out of the stall. Perian went to mount and was very grateful that he needed the power of his left arm and side to mount, which meant he could still do it while favoring his right arm. It didn’t hurt too much, but when he moved it, especially if he forgot and moved it forcefully, he was reminded he was injured.

They headed out at a leisurely pace until they were well into the park.

“Go on,” Brannal said, a little bit resigned and a little bit fond. “He does deserve the exercise.”

Accordingly, Perian gave Prince Horsey his head, and they went galloping over the grass. The wind whipped past them, the sound of the horse’s hooves accompanying the powerful muscles moving repetitively beneath him. There was so much power in a horse, that thrumming energy and life, and it was beautiful to see it unleashed.

Not wanting to be too insulting, he made sure to slow Prince Horsey down to a more reasonable gallop after a few minutes, and it wasn’t too long before he heard the sound of thundering hooves as Warrior caught up to them.

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