“Maybe we should—” Perian started between the kisses.
“Hey,” Molun called into the forest, startling them apart. “We’re hungry. Are you two going to be in there forever?”
Perian huffed a breath and muttered, “You know, for someone who likes sex as much as we do, Molun can be a bit of a cock-block.”
Brannal laughed, grabbed his hand, and gave a tug, and together they headed back out to the campground.
Molun took one look at them and said, “Wow. You were gone long enough I didn’t think it would be possible that you would still be in that state. You can go finish. Sorry.”
“What took you so long?” Delana wanted to know.
Perian eyed them. “You don’t think he can get me off and then get me ready to go again? Let me tell you—”
Brannal slapped a hand over his mouth. “Did someone mention something about food?”
Perian pressed a kiss to Brannal’s hand, and Brannal’s lips twitched as he released Perian’s mouth. This sort of distraction, Perian could definitely provide.
The sun was much lower in the sky—Perian wasn’t sure when that had happened—and it wouldn’t be that long before it was dark. The days were getting shorter, and it definitely showed in moments like this.
The others decided that only people who had practice should try heating anything on the fire after Perian accidentally set the rolls on fire. Molun put them out for him.
“Dear heart,” Brannal said, “would you like to ensure the horses are fed?”
Perian snorted and conceded that would probably be a better allocation ofskill.
Molun came with him, since he could ensure they had enough water in the makeshift trough made from a hollowed-out log.
The horses had cropped most of the grass in the area, which was really the only viable section this close to the lake. Perian filled the feed bags and then Molun efficiently slipped the ropes over the horse’s heads—and then Prince Horsey snapped at him.
Molun handed Perian the bag. “You feed him.”
Perian headed over to Prince Horsey, who eyed him with tail flicking, his ears pricking forward again. “Hello, my big, brave horse. Thank you for bringing me here. Would you like some oats?”
Prince Horsey snuffed at him, nudged him in the shoulder hard enough that Perian was knocked back a step, and then let Perian hook on the feed bag so he could lean down and happily eat.
Molun was shaking his head. “I mean, I know you’re irresistible, but—”
Perian laughed. “Thanks for that.”
Once they’d all eaten, the two of them removed the feed bags and tied the horses onto the picket line for the night.
Once they were sure all the horses were settled, they headed back to the fire, where the food was ready. They settled down in front of the cheery blaze, more grateful for the flames now as the sun set, sending colors dancing across the water.
Perian leaned against Brannal, relishing in his warmth, the two of them cuddled up together the same way that Molun and Arvus were. Perian felt a little bad for Nisal and Delana, but they looked comfortable enough, and Perian was glad they’d been able and willing to come. It was nice to spend time with friends as well as Brannal—and it wasn’t like Perian hadn’t gotten any orgasms today. He was quite confident he was going to get more tonight, so he was feeling pretty good about this whole thing.
In the morning, he’d try to find Brannal’s team’s ribbon before they found his. Even if they lost, he was pretty sure it was going to be fun. He’d never done anything quite like it before, and he felt a little bit like he imagined Renny did sometimes, suddenly realizing that he’d missed out; children who grew up with other children probably did this sort of thing a lot. Perian had been schooled at home, but he knew most children weren’t.
Brannal nudged him.
“You’re quiet.”
Perian smiled faintly. “So unusual you feel the need to bring it up?”
Brannal’s expression softened. “You seemed a little sad.”
The man knew him so well in so many ways.
“Just thinking about the game today.” More or less. “Is it the sort of thing you did when you were little?”
