Page 98 of Twist of Fate

Luke frowned. “How can the bond be pleased?”

Connal’s expression softened. “It responds to our closeness, even while it remains unfinished. If you choose to complete the bond, you will feel what I do.”

Then Connal settled against him and, within seconds, the warrior who’d claimed to have more than enough strength began snoring against Luke’s neck.

The sound should have been annoying. Instead, it soothed something inside Luke that had been braced for danger since the first attack.

Tomorrow could have its questions.

Tonight, Luke was exactly where he wanted to be.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Connal woke before first light.

Luke lay beside him, one arm caught between them and his body angled toward Connal. Sometime during the night, he had moved close enough that their legs tangled beneath the blankets. A faint line remained between his brows, the last sign of vigilance sleep had not erased. Connal remembered Luke’s hands in his hair and the pleasure in his voice. He remembered the quiet afterward too, when they had fallen asleep tangled together.

For several breaths, Connal allowed himself to watch. He understood duty. He understood victory. The quiet pleasure of waking beside his mate was something entirely new.

Connal brushed his fingers along Luke’s arm. Luke exhaled, and the line between his brows eased as he moved closer in his sleep. Connal let his fingers linger against Luke’s warm skin.

A flicker of movement near the doorway drew his gaze from the bed. Power gathered beneath his skin before he recognized one of the palace’s pixie messengers hovering there.

The pixie glanced toward Luke and lowered his voice. “The meeting has been arranged. Tyson asked that you come as soon as you are able.”

Connal wanted to let Luke sleep and claim several more hours alone with him before the dangers of the human realm demanded their attention again. But Koios needed time to examine the drive before Hale expected Luke to contact him.

“Tell Tyson we are coming.”

The messenger nodded and disappeared into the corridor.

Connal looked back at his mate. Luke had survived two attacks, crossed between realms, and still slept as if part of him expected danger to follow. The knowledge made Connal reluctant to disturb the brief peace Luke had found.

Duty had never cared what Connal preferred.

He drew his hand down Luke’s arm. “Wake.”

Luke drew a deeper breath. His eyes opened a fraction, unfocused for only a heartbeat before fixing on Connal.

“You always wake people like that,” Luke murmured, his voice rough with sleep, “or am I getting special treatment?”

Connal let his gaze travel over Luke’s bare chest before returning to his face. “There are more pleasurable ways I would prefer to wake my mate.”

Luke’s mouth curved. “I’m listening.”

“Tyson has sent for us.”

The smile remained, but Luke’s eyes sharpened. “Koios is ready?”

“Yes.”

Luke pushed himself onto one elbow. “When?”

“As soon as we are able.”

“Of course.” He sat up and ran a hand through his hair. “Story of my life.”

Connal drew his fingers along Luke’s back before the warmth of the bed could leave him entirely. “You have led a poorly timed life.”