Page 91 of Twist of Fate

“How do you know the meal will make him happy?”

“It comes with a toy.”

Connal waited for the explanation that would make those two facts connect.

Luke’s mouth curved. “Trust me.”

The words no longer struck Connal as a challenge. This time, they carried amusement and an invitation to share it.

“I do,” Connal said.

Luke’s smile softened before he turned back to the counter.

Asterius eventually ordered a combination of meat, bread, cheese, and sauce large enough to satisfy him. Keir chose the same after determining that asking Luke further questions would only encourage Asterius. Zer requested nothing until Luke ordered for him anyway.

Tyson selected his meal with the weary competence of someone who had endured human restaurants before.

“What do you want?” Luke asked Connal.

“I do not require food.”

“That wasn’t the question.”

Connal examined the pictures. None resembled anything served in the Unseelie, but Luke had chosen the restaurant, and Connal trusted his judgment.

He pointed toward one of the larger sandwiches. “That.”

Luke added it to the order.

Connal watched him pay with human currency rather than using his darkened device. Luke counted what he received in return, then moved to the side to wait. He appeared ordinary here. Capable and at ease, answering the brothers’ questions without losing awareness of the entrance or the humans around them.

This world belonged to him in ways the Unseelie did not yet.

The thought should have troubled Connal. Instead, he found himself wanting to learn enough of Luke’s world that his mate would never be forced to choose between the life he already had and whatever they might build together.

Their food arrived in several large paper bags. Luke checked the contents before distributing the weight between the brothers. He kept the containers intended for Gomez and the pixies together, protecting them from Asterius when his brother attempted to investigate.

“I ordered you food,” Luke said.

“I merely wished to compare.”

“You can compare after Gomez gets his nuggets.”

Asterius accepted the ruling with poor grace.

They carried the bags back outside, filling the passenger compartment with unfamiliar scents as the driver took them toward the private location Tyson had selected for their return.

Connal looked at the quantity of food surrounding them.

Apparently, Luke had purchased enough morale for everyone.

The driver left them at the rear of an empty human building several streets away from the secured office. Connal stepped out first and examined the narrow service lane while the others unloaded the food.

Nothing moved except a scrap of paper caught by the wind.

“This will do,” he said.

Luke climbed out with his backpack over one shoulder and two bags of food held carefully against his chest. Asterius carried three more, having discovered that volunteering gave him greater control over which bag remained closest. Keir relieved him of the one that contained his meal before he could investigate anything else.