Page 22 of The Lost Art of Seducing a Mage Warrior

Brannal shook his head, beginning to walk once more, and Perian fell into step with him. “Perhaps, but not the way you mean.” He hesitated for a moment and then said, “His father was the Summus before me. He died in the attack six years ago that killed the Prince. And then I became Summus.”

“Was that unusual?”

Brannal hesitated for a moment as though gathering his thoughts. “Not as such. The Summus is appointed by the reigning monarch. They are often but not always the most powerful, and they need to be good leaders. But theycanfollow family lines.”

“He expected to be Summus, and instead, he’s Secundus,” Perian finished the thought.

He didn’t think that anyone who screamed their title down the corridor just because someone had been a bit pert was happy with their lot in life.

“He’s never said as much directly,” Brannal said carefully.

Perian wouldn’t have expected him to, not to Brannal, anyway.

“You two must have lots of fun at meetings.”

Brannal’s lips tipped up slightly. “Molun is Tertius.”

Perian couldn’t help but laugh. “Really?”

Brannal smiled. “Really.”

Molun seemed like he’d be such a good distraction, he’d prevent a meeting from taking place at all. But if Perian were stuck between Brannal and Cormal—not like that!—he would no doubt appreciate some levity.

“We actually make a good team,” Brannal said. “We all bring different strengths to the table. Molun controls water and air.”

“Was it hard learning to control all the elements?”

A complicated expression crossed Brannal’s face, and after a moment, he shrugged. “Yes and no. Fire manifested first, as I told you. Water actually came next, and being able to put out the flames that I set while I was still figuring everything out was rather useful, even if it wound up with me wet more often than not.”

Perian’s lips tipped up.

“It was a lot to learn,” Brannal admitted. “It took a lot of focus and concentration, figuring out what worked best for me, making sure I didn’t overreact to things and cause an… explosive reaction. But they’re all a part of me. I did what I needed to do.”

Perian supposed that did make sense, at least insofar as he could understand any of it given that he controlled precisely zero elements.

“And do you like being Summus?” Perian asked.

Brannal gave something that was mostly a nod and a little bit of a shrug.

“I chose to be a Mage Warrior.”

“With your infinite childhood wisdom,” Perian agreed, nudging him in the side with his elbow.

“With my infinite wisdom,” Brannal repeated with a small smile, but that soon faded. His eyes were a little distant, like he was looking at something Perian couldn’t see. “I wanted to protect people. I wanted to put the gift that I’d been given to good use. I am the Queen’s to command, of course, but my position grants me the ability to make many decisions and protect people to the best of my ability. I enjoy that.”

Perian nodded. To be honest, he couldn’t entirely envision Brannal taking orders, though he supposed everyone took orders from the Queen.

“Are you hungry?” Brannal asked.

“Always,” Perian said with a wink.

“For food,” Brannal qualified, his eye twinkling with amusement.

“I wouldn’t mind that either,” Perian agreed.

Hewashungry. It had been ages since lunch. But he was also horny, a state that wasn’t unfamiliar but which seemed far more frequent and intense since he’d met Brannal and recovered from his injuries.

“I’ll have food sent to my rooms,” Brannal told him.

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