Page 153 of Twist of Fate

Luke’s breath caught and he knew with absolute certainty that he was, in fact, Connal’s. “I really am.”

Connal lifted Luke easily and stood with the casual grace of a warrior lifting a puny human weight. Luke grinned and nipped at Connal’s neck. “Why do you sound surprised?” Connal huffed. “I’ve been telling you for days.”

“Do you think I believed you?” Luke teased his way up to Connal’s ear. “I thought you were some really sexy but totally bat-shit crazy lunatic.”

Connal dropped Luke onto the bed and glared down at him. “What is bat-shit in this context?”

Luke laughed. “Don’t worry about it. I don’t think that anymore.”

“No?”

Connal didn’t look convinced.

Luke didn’t blame him.

“I changed my mind.”

Connal went still.

Luke smiled. “About waiting.”

For once, Connal had absolutely nothing to say. That alone was almost worth it.

Luke curled his fingers into the front of Connal’s shirt and pulled him closer. “You told me the bond wouldn’t change anything unless I chose it.”

“Yes.”

Connal looked adorably confused.

“And you said when I was ready, I’d know.”

Connal’s expression changed. He climbed between Luke’s legs and pressed their chests together. He stared into Luke’s face, hope replacing confusion.

Luke grinned. He understood now. Luke’s heart started pounding, but he didn’t look away. “I know.”

“Luke, are you saying⁠—”

“Yes.”

“I need to hear you say it.”

Luke swallowed. This answer felt a hell of a lot bigger than the last one. “I accept you, Connal. I don’t know what being your mate means,” Luke admitted. “Not really. I don’t know what this is going to look like tomorrow or a year from now. But I trust you, and I want to find out.”

Luke didn’t realize how tightly Connal had been holding his emotions until relief crossed his face. Luke would like to pretend he had time to think about it, but a split second later, Connal was on him.

The kiss set Luke’s body ablaze. He wrapped himself around Connal, his legs tight around Connal’s hips, while his hands tugged at the annoying tunic until he could touch the wide expanse of skin on Connal’s back.

Connal groaned and raised his head. “Our clothing is impeding my progress.”

Apparently, the castle took those words as an order, because something sparkly appeared around them and then they were skin-to-skin. It probably should have creeped Luke out, but he’d never been more grateful for magic in his life. “That is so helpful.”

Connal grinned and pressed between them. “Just wait.”

Luke grunted and threaded his fingers through Connal’s hair. “I thought I told you I was done waiting.”

Connal lowered his forehead and pressed it to Luke’s. Then he kissed his way over to Luke’s ear. “We need moonsilk.”

“Moon what no—what in the slippery substance is that!”