Page 44 of Twist of Fate

He turned his hand beneath Luke’s until their palms met.

Luke released a quiet breath. “I feel something.”

Fierce joy surged through Connal. Luke felt the bond and had acknowledged it. Connal wanted to pull him close and demand every detail of what he felt, but the lingering uncertainty in Luke’s expression held him back.

“That is enough.”

“For now,” Luke said.

“For now,” Connal agreed.

Luke’s fingers tightened around his. Then he stepped into the space between Connal’s knees and bent toward him.

Connal needed no further invitation.

Their second kiss began slowly, without the shock of the first. Luke leaned into him, and Connal circled an arm around his waist, drawing him closer. The bond warmed between them, unfinished but no longer discordant.

A loud bellow from beyond the chamber sent Luke jerking out of Connal’s arms.

“Also, if anyone has seen my idiot best friend, I would like him returned immediately!”

Luke spun toward the doorway. “Gomez?”

Connal rose more carefully this time as the door burst open. Zer appeared with a strange human cradled in his arms and a battered bag hanging from one shoulder. Rigid coverings encased both of the man’s legs and held them straight in front of him. Asterius and Keir followed close behind.

“Be careful! I am a delicate hostage. I break easily!”

The human twisted in Zer’s hold and pointed toward the ceiling as if addressing whatever authority might be listening.

“Also, I would like to formally register a complaint. There was no warning, no explanation, and absolutely no regard for my personal schedule⁠—”

“Gomez,” Luke said.

The human froze.

His head snapped toward Luke, and the outrage vanished from his face. “Luke?”

Luke crossed the chamber quickly. “Put him down.”

Zer lowered Gomez onto the bed Connal had vacated and set the bag beside him. The moment he was settled, Gomez caught Luke by both arms and looked him over.

“You vanished,” he said. “You stopped answering, and no one knew where you were. I thought you were dead.”

The last word cracked with fear.

“I’m sorry.” Luke covered one of Gomez’s hands with his own. “I should have found a way to contact you.”

“You should have.” Gomez continued his inspection, his gaze lingering on Luke’s bruises. “And you look like hell.”

“I’ve had better days.”

Gomez released a shaky breath. Relief softened his expression for one brief moment before he looked around the chamber.

“Great. You’re alive. We love that for us.” He gestured broadly at the glowing walls, the enormous bed, and the fae warriors surrounding him. “Now, what the hell is all this?”

Luke glanced toward Connal. “This is Connal.”

Gomez followed his gaze. His attention traveled slowly up Connal’s body before stopping on his face. His eyes widened.