Chapter 14
Chapter
Fourteen
“Idon’t want to sleep alone.” Percival gripped Leo’s hand.
Percival didn’t want to be without Leo in a strange room. Not when he didn’t know who he was and his memories were just a blank, gaping void.
“I don’t want to be alone in the dark.” Percival could feel everyone in the room staring at him, but he focused on Leo and his soft brown eyes.
After a second, Leo gave a single nod. “All right.”
“Thank you.” Percival sagged. “Thank you so much!”
Leo gave him a half-smile. “It’s fine.” Then he glanced around. “This is my family, by the way. Or some of them. But we’ll save the proper introductions for tomorrow. We should go to bed.” He stood.
Percival reluctantly let go of his hand and rose as well.
“Why don’t you take the morning off, Leo? Take care of Percival. I can cover for you,” the human wearing only underwear said.
“Thanks, Grady.” Leo grabbed the candle and walked to one of the closed doors. “Night, all.”
Leo’s family wished them a good night before returning to their rooms. Percival followed Leo. With a croak, Ebony flew into the room with them. She landed on top of a dresser. There she ruffled her feathers and made herself comfortable.
Leo set down the candle. He opened a drawer, rummaging around. “Here, you can sleep in this. It’s a little big on me, so hopefully it’ll fit you.”
Percival took the item. He unravelled it to see that it was a beige shirt. He pulled it on. It fell down to his mid-thighs.
“I ended up with one of the extra beds when a bunch of my siblings moved out last year,” Leo said. “I’ve pushed them together so it’s like one big bed. But I can pull them apart to make two separate beds for us.” Leo tugged the sheets back, leaned down, and grabbed the bedframe.
“No!” Percival held up a hand.
Leo paused.
“Let’s keep them pressed together.”
Leo stared at him.
“Please.” Percival swallowed. “I’d just like to be nearer to you.” He wanted to feel the warmth of Leo’s body beside him. He wanted to hear his steady breath.
After a moment, Leo released the frame and straightened. “Okay. We can do that.” He gestured to a basin and pitcher. “You can wash up if you want before bed.”
Percival went over and washed himself quickly. The water dried on his warm skin. Leo undressed, removing his garments until he only wore his drawers.
“You can get in when you’re ready,” Leo said as he went over to wash.
Letting out a breath, Percival crawled in and watched Leo.
Leo wiped a wet cloth over his body. Percival’s fingers itched to touch the planes of Leo’s chest, which had a dusting of dark-brown hair. He wanted to press kisses to his skin. After washing himself, Leo used another cloth to dry himself.
Percival was sure he must have wanted Leo to be his lover before his death and rebirth. How could he not want this beautiful man, with his kind heart, and his ability to make delicious pies?
But they hadn’t been lovers. They hadn’t even been friends. They’d barely known each other.
And now… What were they now? Could they be considered friends now?
“Goodnight, Ebony,” Leo said to the raven. But she already looked to be asleep.
Leo chuckled. He walked to the candle and blew it out. But because of Percival’s glow, the room didn’t descend into complete darkness. The sheets shifted. Leo’s weight settled in the bed beside him.
But there was half an arm’s length between them. Leo was so close. Still, he was not close enough for Percival’s liking.
Percival rested his hand on the mattress between them. Slowly, he scooted closer to the other man. Then he slid his hand across the cool sheets towards Leo.
He just wanted to be near him! Because right now, Leo was the only stable and safe place in Percival’s chaotic and confusing world.
“You must be tired,” Leo said.
Percival stopped moving his hand, just a breath away from Leo. “I am.” The rebirth and then healing Ebony had really taken it out of him. His eyelids already drooped.
“Goodnight, Percy. Sleep well.”
“You too.” Percival closed his eyes. But despite the weariness tugging at his bones, sleep didn’t immediately come. A wall of questions loomed higher and higher over him. His heart beat faster.
What if they couldn’t find out anything about him tomorrow? What if they couldn’t find his family? What would happen to Percival then?
His breath came faster.
Leo was kind. Leo had promised to help him. But would Leo give up on him eventually if they couldn’t find out anything?
He slid his hand an inch closer to Leo.
What would happen to Percival if Leo abandoned him? He squeezed his eyes shut, as if he could block out the fears encroaching on him.
Then Leo’s soft, warm hand took Percival’s. Percival let out a breath.
Leo squeezed his hand.
Everything will be okay. Leo is with me. He will help me find answers. Everything will be okay.
Sleep took him.
Quite late the next morning, they went down into the bakery.
“Take a seat. I’ll grab us some breakfast,” Leo said and went to the back area.
Percival glanced around and found a table. Several people sat in the bakery, eating baked goods, drinking, and chatting. A Christmas tree, garlands, and ornaments decorated the space.
It all looked very pretty. And this was where Leo worked. He must be happy working in such a cosy place.
Percival glanced towards the back area of the bakery. Leo talked with some of the others. A few moments later, Leo came out, carrying some fresh rolls and a couple of cups of tea.
“I spoke to Briar, one of my brothers. He doesn’t know much about phoenixes after rebirth. But he said he’ll try and read up on them. He likes to read.” Leo cut a roll in half and spread some butter and jam on it. Then he took a bite.
Percival cut a roll. But he didn’t eat it. He just stared down at the bread. “Do you really think we have any chance of finding out who I am? I mean, we don’t know anything about me.” He could hear the worry creeping into his voice.
Leo reached out and took his hand. “I think we have a good chance of finding out who you are. I mean, you’re a phoenix named Lord Percival Everflame. My understanding is that your family are important. They’re probably searching for you right now. I’m sure we’ll find out something.”
Percival nodded. “I hope you’re right.”
Leo smiled. “I figure to start, we’ll just walk around and see if—”
A woman’s laughter filled the air. Both Leo and Percival looked up.
“Well, look at this,” a woman said. “Aren’t you two all cute together?”
A pretty young woman walked towards them, grinning from ear to ear. She stared at their joined hands. A troll followed her.
Leo snatched his hand from Percival’s, jumped up, and walked towards her. “Lacy. It’s not what it—”
She jabbed a finger into Leo’s chest. “I knew it!” she whispered. But she whispered in such a manner that her voice carried loudly throughout the entire bakery. “I knew it! I knew there was something between you two. I knew all that hatred was just covering all this simmering lus—”
“Stop, Lacy!” Leo interrupted. “Listen.” Then he lowered his voice, and Percival couldn’t hear anymore.
Percival frowned, trying to parse what he’d just heard.
One word echoed in his ears. Hatred.
But what hatred? Had Leo and Percival hated each other? How could anyone hate Leo? And why would Leo hate him?
Percival bit his lip.
He watched the two of them talking. The human female, who seemed to be named Lacy, glanced at Percival. The female troll standing behind Lacy glanced at him too.
Percival looked down at his tea. But he kept replaying Lacy’s whispered words, trying to process them and make sense of them. At first, he’d thought he and Leo must have been lovers. Then he’d thought he must have had a crush on Leo. But now it turned out, they’d hated each other.
How can that be? How could I hate such a wonderful man? What was wrong with me?
A moment later, Lacy and the troll walked into the back area. Leo returned and sat across from him.
“That was my sister, Lacy, and her partner, Orim.” Leo took a sip of his tea. “Like I was saying, we’ll head out after breakfast and see what we can find out. I figured we could walk around and see if anything feels familiar to you. Then we can ask around. I’m sure we’ll find out something, Percy.”
Percival nodded. He looked to the back area of the bakery. Lacy watched him. When he met her gaze, she smiled and waved. He smiled and waved back.
Then Percival turned to Leo. “What did your sister mean about there being hatred between us?”