Page 116 of The Lost Art of Seducing a Mage Warrior

“It’s probably better that you know,” he told Perian, “but I don’t want you to think it has any impact on the present.”

“All right,” Perian said, confused.

Brannal sighed. “You actually… sort of guessed earlier? It was just young adults playing around, it was never really anything.”

And the funniest, most objectionable person popped into Perian’s head.

“No,” he breathed. “Your first? Seriously?”

Brannal groaned. “Like I said, we were young. He was sixteen; I was eighteen. We spent a lot of time together since we both needed to get our fire under control. It was kind of… explosive?”

And Perian was lost in peals of laughter. Brannal seemed embarrassed by it now, so Perian really couldn’t be worried there was an underlying attraction left on Brannal’s side. He still couldn’t get a clear enough read on what Cormal was feeling, but if the feelingshadbeen stronger on Cormal’s side than on Brannal’s, it might explain a bit about what was going on now.

Still, though. Brannal was thirty. It had been twelve years. If itwasstill lingering possessiveness or desire on Cormal’s part, it was time to get over it.

Perian was still laughing to himself as Brannal told him it wasn’tthatfunny.

“It’ssofunny,” Perian muttered, but then he cleared his throat and attempted to be more supportive. “Seriously, though, I get that you were both young, and I didn’t mean to mock your first time.”

Perian might not like Cormal, but he didn’t mean to be an ass about this.

Brannal smiled faintly. “Thank you. We both enjoyed ourselves at the time, but it’s something I’d prefer to leave in the past.”

Perian couldn’t deny that he’d be just as happy not discussing Brannal and Cormal being together.

“I still don’t get it,” Molun said with a shake of his head.

Amused, Perian said, “So he’s not about to be invited into your bed?”

Molun shivered and raised a hand, allowing a tiny stream of water to flow into the cup in front of him.

“I’m water, he’s fire. We don’t really… mix.”

“Does it actually work like that?” Perian asked curiously.

Molun nodded his head emphatically, but the other two looked less certain.

“Not… exactly?” Brannal answered finally.

Arvus said, “Most people are not at all surprised to learn I can control earth.”

Arvus was solid and steady, so Perian nodded.

“And I am as excitable and flighty as my elements,” Molun offered.

Perian frowned. “But that’s notallyou are.”

Brannal nodded. “Exactly. I think everyone here would agree that Cormal has a temper and seems like he’s a very standard fiery hothead. But would you describe Delana as excitable or willing to go with the flow?”

“I would describe Delana as a mountain,” Perian said promptly.

Brannal’s lips tipped up. “Exactly. You could perhaps describe her as very still, very deep water.”

“Or the undertow that will drag you under,” Molun suggested.

Yes, that worked too, but Perian got it now.

“But now you’re just finding ways to use their element to describe their personality.”

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