Page 93 of Twist of Fate

The other pixies descended immediately.

Luke caught the box before six tiny hands could empty it. “There’s more.”

He opened the remaining containers of nuggets and spread the fries across several wrappers. The pixies gathered around them in a delighted swarm, each attempting to select the longest one.

Avaneel arrived before the first fry disappeared. She flew through the open chamber door with Zer several paces behind her, snatched a fry from the pile, and retreated to his shoulder.

Zer caught up a moment later and stopped beside her. “You could have waited for me.”

“There were fried potatoes. A human delicacy.”

“So I see.” Zer didn’t seem convinced.

Avaneel took another bite, then held the other end toward him. “You may share.”

Zer looked at the fry and then at her. “Generous.”

“I know.”

Gomez pointed toward the open containers. “Come on, big guy. You deserve some human food after all that reporting to the king.”

“I do not require it,” Zer said.

“I didn’t say you required it.” Gomez dipped a nugget into the bright golden sauce Luke had placed beside him and held it out. “You’ve carried me across realms and through the castle. The least I can do is introduce you to processed chicken.”

Zer studied the offered nugget. Then he looked at Gomez.

Luke expected the refusal to be immediate. Instead, Zer bent and took the nugget directly from Gomez’s fingers.

Gomez froze.

So did everyone else.

Zer chewed with the same solemn concentration he brought to everything. “Acceptable.”

Gomez’s grin spread slowly. “Acceptable is an excellent start.”

Asterius made a strangled sound that might have become laughter if Zer had not turned his head.

Fizzwick flew close to Gomez’s ear. “Fred should have a chicken nugget.”

Gomez gasped. “Fred!”

“Don’t worry. I took care of your new bestie,” Luke said.

He lifted the smaller box from one of the bags.

Gomez stared at it, then at Luke. “You bought Fred a Happy Meal?”

“It came with a toy.”

Asterius looked toward Connal. “I was not informed that happiness was included. Or a toy.”

For a huge warrior, Asterius’s pout was impressive.

“You received more food,” Luke explained.

“That is not the same thing.”