Page 25 of The Lost Art of Seducing a Mage Warrior

Perian couldn’t help but grin, buoyed by the compliment.

At breakfast, Brannal announced that he did actually have work he needed to attend to. Perian had already assumed as much given that he had started the day dressing in his full uniform.

He offered his best mock pout. “You mean I’m not your sole focus all day, every day?”

“Oddly,” Brannal said wryly, “my position involves more than enjoying myself in bed.”

“You’re certain that’s not what yourpositionis good for?”

Brannal’s expression was stern, but his eyes were warm as he said, “More’s the pity.”

Perian could only laugh. He enjoyed their time together so much, but he could only imagine all the work the other man had to do. The last thing Perian wanted was to become such a disruptive force that he was asked to leave—especially given that Brannal’s position meant that it would likely be either Brannal or theQueenwho relayed such a message.

Perian actually wasn’t quite sure which one would be worse, but he was altogether certain that neither would be good. To avoid the ignominious fate of either his current lover picking work over him or the reigning monarch knowing so much about his love life, Perian did not object to the idea of Brannal actually doing his job.

“More tea?” Brannal asked.

“Are you going to ask me if I’m all right and then stare at me until I offer to leave?”

“Ass,” Brannal growled, but he poured Perian more tea anyway.

Perian wrapped his hands around the cup and considered how much more he liked today’s start than yesterday’s.

“I am fine, by the way,” he offered after a moment. “Proper fine.”

“You can keep yourself entertained for the day?” Brannal asked.

Perian raised an eyebrow.

Brannal eyed him. “Let me rephrase: would you enjoy another guide today?”

Perian shrugged. “I imagine that everyone has things to do that don’t actually involve keeping me entertained.”

“You would wind up exhausted ifeveryonewas keeping you entertained.”

Perian grinned at him.

More seriously, Brannal asked, “Truly, though, would you like company?”

“I can get up to mischief all on my own,” Perian told him cheerfully.

He didn’t want to be a bother.

“Of that, I have no doubt.”

Smiling, Brannal rose to his feet, draining the last of his tea in several long swallows. Perian admired the long stretch of his throat but supposed that his being on his feet meant that Perian shouldn’t distract him.

“Remember,” Brannal told him, “you can go anywhere that isn’t locked. If you’re as uncomfortable with royalty as you acted yesterday, stay out of their wing. You can ask anyone to direct you if you can’t find something. And if there are any… difficulties, just send someone to get me.”

Perian liked to hope that he could manage not to get into trouble for at least one day when he was on his feet and functional.

“I’ll be fine,” Perian assured him. “Go. You’re going to be late.”

Brannal leaned over the table and smacked a kiss to Perian’s lips, and then he was lacing up his boots, strapping on his sword, and adding at least two more daggers before he headed out the door.

Perian gazed at the closed door for a long moment, not entirely able to see just how his life had come to this. He had no complaints—though the attack had been deplorable, the consequences were shaping up to be spectacular—but it still felt like it was not quite real, like he might wake up at any moment and find this had all been a dream.

Draining his own cup, Perian rose from the table. He was going to enjoy every minute for as long as he possibly could. Brannal hadn’t even suggested that Perian remain in the room. He hadn’t given any restrictions at all, just a few common sense recommendations, along with an offer to rescue Perian should he need it. Perian would endeavor not to need it, but he couldn’t deny that he was grateful for the support. He might be reasonably confident that no one was going to attack him here, but he was out of his element—and surrounded by people who could literally control the elements—and he wasn’t sure exactly what he’d find when he was exploring on his own.

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