Chapter 15
Chapter
Fifteen
Leo let out a breath. He’d hoped Percival hadn’t heard that bit. Curse Lacy and her big bloody mouth. But he couldn’t be too annoyed. Leo was as bad as she was. Or worse.
“Like I said, we didn’t really know each other before. You only started coming into the bakery recently.” Leo rubbed his finger against the side of the teacup. “You’d order pies. That’s the most interaction we had.”
Percival frowned. “But we hated each other?”
Leo pressed his lips together. “We didn’t get along.”
“Why not?”
Leo didn’t want to answer the question. The situation was difficult enough without having to deal with the fact that less than twenty-four hours ago, they’d despised each other.
“You weren’t the easiest customer,” Leo said.
At Percival’s puzzled expression, Leo sighed. “You’d be rather condescending and rude.”
“In what way?”
Leo hesitated. “You said the bakery was dirty. You were impatient. You criticised the way I served customers.”
Percival took a few seconds to think over that. “I don’t sound very nice.”
“To be fair, I was rude to you too.” Leo had done so in response to Percival’s behaviour, but it was still true.
Percival dropped his gaze to his uneaten roll. “I still sound pretty intolerable.”
Leo didn’t know what to say to that. Because it was true. In fact, it was still hard to comprehend that the man in front of him was Lord Percival Everflame. They looked exactly the same, except that this Percival was younger. But they acted completely different.
Maybe when a phoenix was reborn, it was like a clean slate personality wise. If that was the case, then maybe the old Lord Percival Everflame wouldn’t return.
Leo didn’t mind that idea. Because then this new Percival would stick around. He could be friends with this Percival.
Or maybe even more.
That morning when he’d woken beside Percival, he’d gazed down at him. Percival had still slept, mouth ajar, red hair a mess on the pillow. Strangely, there’d been a large red feather beside him on the pillow.
Leo had picked up the feather and smiled down at Percival. He’d liked the sight of Percival asleep in his bed. He’d wanted to reach out and stroke his hair before leaning forward and kissing him awake.
Instead he’d gotten out of bed, placed the feather on the bedside table, and tried to ignore the feelings Percival stirred in his chest.
Because truth was, Percival probably wouldn’t remain like this. No doubt he’d get his memories back and be insulting Leo once again. They’d return to hating each other. And the endearing man across from him would disappear.
Leo drank his tea. They finished up their breakfast in silence and left the bakery.
“You always walked in this direction when you left,” Leo said. “Does any of this feel familiar?”
“I don’t know.” Percival glanced around. “I don’t think so.”
“Well, we’ll just walk wherever you feel like walking, and we’ll see where we end up. Maybe something will click.”
Leo let Percival take the lead. They walked around for an hour, back and forth through the streets.
“Wait.” Percival stopped on a street corner. He stared down the street. Then he looked the other way.
“Anything?” Leo asked.
“Maybe.” Then Percival sighed. He shook his head. “No. Not really.” He kept walking. Leo followed.
Percival had done that a few times now, stopping and staring at a doorway, a street sign, a shop, or some landmark. But after a moment, he’d shake his head and continue on.
Percival halted in the middle of the sidewalk. “I’m sorry! Nothing feels familiar. Maybe this is pointless.” He ran a hand through his red hair, and embers flashed. “I’m sorry, Leo. I’m just wasting your time!”
Leo reached out and gripped his arm. “Don’t apologise. Remember, this was just the first idea. We’ll just move onto the next one. We’ll go around and ask about you, okay? Don’t give up yet.”
“Okay.” Percival looked down the street.
A troll with her head down walked towards them. Then, about a pace away, she lifted her gaze. Her eyes widened as they fixed on Percival.
“Lord Everflame!” she exclaimed.
“You know me?” Percival stepped towards her, hands tapping his chest. “You know who I am?”
She blinked at him.
“I’m sorry, I…” Percival glanced at Leo. “I don’t remember you. What is your name?”
The troll didn’t move or speak for several long seconds. “You don’t know who I am?”
“Well, you see, I died and was reborn last night. I lost my memories,” Percival explained. “I don’t remember anything.”
“Nothing, my lord?” she asked.
Percival shook his head.
She took a moment, then she bowed low. “My name is Ines, my lord. I am your loyal servant.”
“I see.” Percival shook his head. “Well, can you tell me when you last saw me?”
She didn’t respond for a second. “Last night I waited by your carriage to take you home. But you didn’t come. I waited for hours, my lord.”
That must have been when Percival was attacked.
“And I’ve been looking for you since then! I just reported your absence to your uncle and cousin.”
“My uncle and cousin?” Percival exhaled. He smiled. “I have an uncle and cousin! And you know where they are?”
“Of course. They are at Everflame Glass Factory.” She pointed down the street.
“Everflame Glass Factory.” Leo groaned. “Of course.” He smacked himself on the forehead.
Suddenly he felt like a fucking idiot. Because he’d heard of Everflame Glass Factory and knew the factory’s location was nearby. But for some reason, when he’d heard Percival’s last name, it hadn’t clicked.
“You know it?” Percival asked him.
“I do.” Leo turned to Ines. “And you said his uncle and cousin are there now?”
She nodded.
“Can you take us to them?” Percival wrung his hands.
She hesitated. Then nodded again. “Of course, my lord. Follow me.” Then she turned and walked briskly down the street.
Percival and Leo followed.
“You were right, Leo.” Percival clapped his hands together. “We found my family! We found them! Everything will be all right now. They are phoenixes. They will know what to do.”
Leo smiled back. But his gut twisted as they followed the servant down the street.
When they found his family, would Percival get his memories back and return to how he’d been before? Would they return to their mutual hatred? Was he about to lose the sweet man beside him?
It was ridiculous to be unhappy about that. They hadn’t even spent much time together. Just one night and one morning.
Still, Leo couldn’t help but wish that Percival would remain the phoenix he was now.