And then they ventured forth, crawling out of their tents and finding that the others were settled around the fire. Someone was clearly better at setting it than Perian had been, because even without Brannal’s skills, it was crackling merrily, and Perian could see that the food looked hot.
“Mm,” Perian said, “thank you for not actually eating all of that. I’m hungry.”
“I wonder why,” Molun said with a wink, and Perian grinned at him.
“I don’t think I’m the only one who got lucky last night.”
“Or this morning?” he said with a teasing wink.
“Hey,” Perian said. “When you wake up next to someone who is just so appealing, what are you supposed to do?”
“Take advantage of it, of course,” Molun answered promptly.
They grinned at one another.
Delana groaned. “Too early. Could you tone it down a little bit until I’ve had more tea?”
Onadal was back at the castle, Perian reminded himself. Maybe she wanted happy sex, too, but couldn’t have it out here.
“Sorry,” he said, and topped up her cup as he went to pour some for him and Brannal, because Brannal had started grabbing them food, like he really was worried they were going to run out, and he wanted to make sure Perian got some.
“Thanks,” she muttered. Then, almost reluctantly but like she had to get it out there, “I’m glad you’re happy.”
He grinned at her, probably more widely than she wanted.
“Thanks.”
Because he wassohappy.
They finished eating breakfast in near silence. Delana definitely looked more awake after the second cup of tea.
They made sure the horses were fed and watered and that they were fine from their night outside. They released them from the picket line, and Prince Horsey headed over to the area that they hadn’t totally grazed yet, the rest of the horses following.
Really, he was quite well-behaved, in his own way. Perian was pretty sure he was exactly where he wanted to be.
“Thank you for not making me try to chase you down, since that would be embarrassing,” Perian told him, since he believed in rewarding good behavior.
Prince Horsey made a whuffing sound and just kept cropping grass, which Perian took to mean that he would run if he felt like running, but he just didn’t want to do it now, or maybe he thought that his rider was supposed to have alittlebit of dignity.
“We’re going to have an adventure in the forest this morning, and I think we’re heading back in the afternoon. Thank you for bringing us here. It really is lovely, and I’m sorry that Kee isn’t here to see it.”
Maybe one day, the Queen would relax enough that Renny could come all the way out here, and then Kee would be able to come back after all, even if it wasn’t the same.
Perian gave Prince Horsey one last pat, made sure that all the other horses were all right too, and then headed back to the fire.
“So,” Molun was just starting to say as Perian got within earshot, “I was thinking—”
Chapter Fifteen
Brannal didn’t even let him get the thought out there.
“Training exercise first,” he said sternly. “There is no chance that we’re going to pack up and lose track of the time, go off on a nature walk and lose track of the time, or swim one more time and lose track of the time. Training exercise, and then I will turn you all loose until it’s time to leave. That is my final offer.”
Molun let out a heartfelt sigh, but the rest of them laughed.
“What are we doing?” Nisal asked.
Brannal gestured. “Out in the forest, there are two ribbons, one hidden by Perian, and one hidden by me. It will be the job of our two teams to try to find the opposing team’s ribbon first and bring it back here.”
