Page 156 of Twist of Fate

“Of course I did. Every important ceremony should have someone whose primary responsibility is making certain the honored couple survives it with appropriate flair.”

“There isn’t a ceremony,” Luke reminded him.

Cosmo and Gomez exchanged a look.

Luke closed his eyes. “You added a ceremony.”

“A very small one,” Cosmo assured him.

Silenus entered behind them and surveyed his mate, Gomez, and the cloud of proud pixies. His expression settled into the same weary resignation Cosmo had worn when the fae attendants first prepared Luke for presentation at court.

Luke opened his eyes and took in Gomez’s cape, circlet, and glowing embroidery. “Now you understand what I meant about being kidnapped by a five-star hotel.”

Gomez smoothed both hands down the front of his coat. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

The pixies voiced their agreement.

Silenus sighed. “You promised him small.”

“This is small,” Cosmo said. “We invited no diplomats.”

Luke looked at Connal. “If I run, will you stop me?”

“Yes.”

“Good.”

The bond carried the truth beneath the complaint. Luke was overwhelmed, but he was happy.

Connal lifted their joined hands and pressed his lips to Luke’s knuckles.

“Come, my mate. Our family is waiting.”

Gomez immediately stepped between them.

“Best man goes first.”

Connal stared down at him. “Why?”

“Because that is how this works.”

“It is not.”

“It is now.” Gomez took Luke’s free arm and looked toward Cosmo. “Ready?”

The consort clapped his hands. Music rose inside the great hall, joined by a burst of light from the vines surrounding the entrance. The pixies swept through the doors ahead of them, scattering glowing petals over the path.

Luke looked at the petals landing around him. Several caught in his hair. “Small.”

“Very,” Cosmo agreed.

Gomez escorted Luke exactly twelve steps into the hall before returning him to Connal with an unnecessarily elaborate bow. Applause rose around them, loud enough that Luke’s fingers tightened briefly around Connal’s.

Connal felt the first edge of discomfort through their bond and moved closer. Luke leaned into him for a heartbeat, grounding himself, then lifted his head and faced the gathered court.

He did not retreat.

Pride swelled inside Connal until there was no room for anything else.