Chapter 11
Chapter
Eleven
“Are we lovers, Leo?” Percival asked the handsome man beside him.
It would explain a lot.
Like why Leo had been the one to find him. Why Percival just knew in his bones that he could trust Leo. And why Percival wanted to keep his hand firmly wrapped around Leo’s wrist.
Percival’s nerves calmed with the simple contact.
He wanted to keep touching Leo too. He wanted the man to embrace and hold him.
Perhaps on some level, Percival could remember who they’d been to each other in his previous life.
So even though he couldn’t remember Leo now, he could still remember his feelings for the man.
Having Leo as his lover was a nice thought. Leo was very attractive with his thick brown hair, luscious lashes, plump lips, and heart-shaped face. Percival would enjoy curling up next to him, wrapping his arms around that body in bed, kissing him, and making love.
Then he could fall asleep in Leo’s arms. And despite the loss of his memories and the panic swirling violently in his chest, he just knew he’d be able to sleep and take comfort lying with Leo. He somehow knew Leo would look after him and keep him safe.
But then Leo spluttered. “What? No!” He let out a shocked laugh.
Percival flinched at the hardness in Leo’s tone. He broke eye contact, lowering his chin.
Was them being lovers so outrageous to Leo? Why?
He released Leo’s wrist. Immediately he felt the loss and the comfort the touch brought.
The raven clicked.
“I mean…,” Leo said, voice gentler now. He paused. He rubbed his face. “You see, we don’t actually know each other that well.”
“Oh.” Then why did he feel so drawn to Leo? Why did he feel he could put his faith in the man? Why did he yearn to touch him? “Are we at least friends?”
Leo didn’t answer immediately. “Not really.” But then he rushed on, “Like I said, we don’t really know each other.”
Percival wrapped his arms around his stomach. He stared ahead into the dark shadows of the alley. Fat snowflakes fell. A rat ran along a window ledge.
I’m alone. I’m utterly alone.
Percival didn’t know who he was. Where he was. He didn’t know if he had any family or friends. Or where they were. He had no one except this man beside him, and despite him feeling close to him, it turned out they barely knew each other.
A hand pressed against his shoulder and squeezed. Percival leaned into the touch.
“I’m sorry,” Leo said. “But just because I don’t know you, doesn’t mean I’m not going to look after you. I’ll find people who know you. I’ll get you safe. But for tonight, we’ll just go to my home and sleep. We all need sleep. We’ll work out everything tomorrow.”
He turned to Leo, whose deep-brown eyes held so much promise. The tight grip around Percival’s lungs released. “Thank you, Leo. Thank you so much.”
Leo gave him a lopsided smile and dropped his hand. “Of course.”
Percival wished Leo had kept his hand where it was. He walked closer to the man, so his bare arm brushed against Leo’s coat. “So how do we know each other?”
“I own a bakery with my family. I work there, and the last few days you came in and bought food.”
“Oh.” His brows lowered. “So we’ve only known each other a few days?”
Leo nodded.
They really didn’t have that much to do with each other. He pressed his lips together.
But maybe he’d wanted to be friends with the man. Or maybe he’d even had a crush on him. Perhaps that was why Percival felt such an intense draw and desire to be near Leo. It could be a possibility that he’d watched Leo and pined for him since he’d first come into the bakery.
He could see that happening.
Still, Percival wished he knew what was true. He wished he’d not forgotten everything.
His throat tightened.
Who am I?
The words circled in his head.
Who am I?
Would he get his memories back? And if so, when?
He sought the answers in the recesses of his mind. But there was just a never-ending darkness within.
Then he remembered being tucked away behind wooden crates that towered over him. Darkness surrounded him. Then he’d heard a bird. The panic inside him had stilled.
Percival turned to stare at the raven hopping along beside them. Then he’d heard a human’s voice, Leo’s voice. He’d wanted to get closer to that man, knowing on instinct he’d look after Percival.
Then Percival had grown. The smell of fire and flames had filled his nostrils.
“I am a phoenix,” Percival said. He knew that much. “I am a phoenix.” He clung to that knowledge, to that single truth.
Everything else he had known might be gone. At least for now. But he knew one thing to be true. “I am a phoenix.”
“Yes,” Leo said.
“Do you know anything else about me?” Even if they weren’t friends, maybe Leo had learnt some things about Percival when he’d come into the bakery.
“Not really. I’m sorry.” Leo stared ahead.
Percival’s shoulders slumped.
“You have high standards.”
“What does that mean?” Percival asked.
Leo rubbed the back of his neck. A pinkish hint stained his cheeks. “I guess, you just like things done a certain way.”
Percival still didn’t really understand what that meant.
“Ah… I think you mentioned family,” Leo said.
Percival perked up. “Brothers, sisters, parents?”
Leo shook his head. “Sorry, you just mentioned a family.”
Percival’s shoulders drooped. “Oh.”
“But I think they’re wealthy. I’m sure your family must be looking for you. And they’ll take care of you when they find you.”
Percival nodded. But where are they now?
“And you like pies!” Leo blurted. “I make savoury pies in the bakery, a different one each day. I made mushroom and leek, chicken pot pie, meat pie, shepherd’s pie, and so on. You’ve been ordering them.”
“I must like these pies a lot, then.”
“I think so.” Leo gave him a smile.
Percival smiled back. “I like pies.” It wasn’t much. But in a world where he knew nothing about himself, it was something. “My name is Percival Everflame. I am a phoenix. I like pies.”
“It’s a good start.” Leo chuckled.
Percival smiled. For now, that would have to do.