Page 92 of Twist of Fate

Connal opened the portal.

He crossed first, emerging into a quiet passage near the castle’s residential wing. Luke followed with the food intact, then Tyson, Keir, and Asterius. Zer came through last with Avaneel still hidden in his hair.

Magic closed around them as the portal vanished. The familiar weight of the Unseelie settled over Connal, easing an unease he had carried since entering the human realm. Luke looked less relieved. He stood for a moment while his body adjusted to the change, then resettled the backpack and started toward Gomez’s chambers.

Tyson stopped at the first branching corridor. “I’ll inform the king that Hale responded and that Luke has been ordered to make contact tomorrow.”

“We will join you,” Zer said.

Keir turned with him, but Asterius looked down at the bags he carried.

“I should assist with the report,” he said.

Tyson reached over and removed the food from his hands. “You should prevent yourself from eating Gomez’s dinner.”

Asterius looked wounded. “You have a troubling opinion of me.”

“I have an accurate one.”

Tyson handed the bags to Connal before walking away with Zer and Keir. Avaneel poked her head through Zer’s hair, her gaze fixed longingly on the food, but he carried her around the corner before temptation could win.

Connal followed Luke toward Gomez’s chambers, carrying enough food to provision a small war party.

The box Luke claimed would make Fred happy rested on top.

Connal intended to see how it worked.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Gomez rested against a mountain of pillows when Luke, Connal, and Asterius entered his chambers.

Fizzwick perched on one raised knee, describing something with both hands while three other pixies hovered near the bed. Gomez looked past Connal and found Luke. For one brief moment, all his humor vanished. “You came back.”

“I said I would.” Luke and Connal placed the bags on the bed beside him.

Gomez reached for Luke’s arm before he reached for the bags, squeezing once as he looked him over. “You’re okay?”

“Nothing happened.”

“Nothing?”

“Message sent. Reply received. Nuggets acquired. That’s it.”

Gomez appeared unconvinced, but the scent rising from the paper bags demanded his immediate consideration. “Please tell me one of those contains proof that humans occasionally deserve nice things.”

Luke opened the nearest bag and handed him a box of chicken nuggets.

Gomez pressed it to his chest. “I knew I could trust you.”

“You said that before I left.”

“I was operating on faith. Now I have evidence.”

Fizzwick abandoned Gomez’s knee and landed on the edge of the box. He peered through the open lid, his wings fluttering with excitement.

“That is a chicken nugget?”

“That is twelve chicken nuggets,” Gomez told him. “Because Luke understands commitment.”