Page 34 of Mystique of the Fallen
“Thanks, guys, I love you,” Roman told the retreating couple.
Conley blew him a kiss. “We love you too. If you need to talk later, you know where to find us.”
“I’m sure Grant has shit he needs to do today. I’ll be at Redmilla’s later,” Roman assured them.
They walked out with their hands clasped. A pang of envy shot through Roman. He was used to it. But now he had another chance to build a future with his mate. Nothing would get in his way. Not even the few conversations he’d had with the human version of Grant.
Squaring his shoulders, Roman closed his eyes and concentrated on slowly inhaling and exhaling to calm himself. The knock on the door startled him, and he nearly laughed at the way he jumped.
“Come in,” Roman instructed.
The fruity smell of limes drifted in as Grant swung the door open. A wide pair of bright green eyes locked on Roman’s face. Like Roman, he wore an intricately decorated uniform. His brown hair was freshly combed, and he stood perhaps three or four inches shorter than Roman.
They stared at one another, then Grant grinned. It was such a gorgeous smile that Roman’s lips curved of their own accord. Grant was beautiful, and there was no bitterness or sadness in his pretty gaze.
“I’m glad I finally get to meet you, VK Calixtus,” Grant said as he stalked proudly into the small anteroom the Reverent Knights had chosen for their reunion. It was the same room where Conley had met Drystan following centuries of stasis. The pair had become inseparable shortly after that day, and Roman hoped that good luck would rub off on his relationship.
“Please call me Roman. It’s nice to meet you too, Venerable Knight.”
Grant shrugged helplessly. “I’m still trying to figure out how I’m a VK. Now I have a mate too? Wow! Fate must fucking love me.”
“I guess you’re not disappointed.”
“You’ve looked in a mirror, right?” Grant asked, walking toward Roman until only a few steps separated them. Roman loved the joy on his face and his refreshing honesty.
“Thanks, I’m going to sound like a total dick if I stand here and compliment myself.”
“Then let me be your guest,” Grant replied with almost a leer. “Jet black hair. Crazy good bone structure. Looking damn fine in that uniform. But I’m really digging those blue eyes.”
Roman chuckled. “Okay, tell me what I smell like?”
“You’re gonna laugh.”
“Oh man, is it weird?”
“Popcorn. You smell like freshly popped deliciousness. That’s my favorite snack. How about me? What’s my scent?”
“Limes. Which makes sense given your gorgeous green eyes.”
Grant lifted his arm and gestured at Roman with his fingers to come to him. “Keep going. What else do you like?”
“The correct answer iseverything.”
Although Roman wanted to stay far away from comparisons between his first meeting with Grant and the present, it was impossible not to notice the vast difference in the young fallen knight. Grant was flirtatious and funny, and—as Roman has always wished for—understood exactly what it meant to be a resurrected soldier.
Grant grinned, then his brows knitted together. “Were you really on a case? I’ve heard tales, you know. RK Drystan missed RK Conley’s training, and SkeL Brynnius avoided VK Samson’s rough start after his resurrection. Did you disappear because of me?”
“The best combination is brains and beauty. No, I wasn’t on a case. I was there the morning you were resurrected and knew you were my mate. You deserved your chance to train without the complication of me and the relationship Fate chose for us. I hope you’re not upset at me for making that decision alone.”
“No, I’m good. Training was hard. Well, some of it was. But I’m glad I could focus. I fucking wanted to be a Venerable Knight.”
“I saw your test scores every day; you damn well earned it.”
“Yeah, I did.”
Roman loved his confidence. “I’m proud of you. The entire Order of the Fallen Knights is proud of you. I wish I could tell you that life will get easier now that you’re done with training, but there are only four VKs. You’re going to be a busy guy.”
“Plus, I have a mate now.” Grant’s cheeks pinkened, and he bent his head slightly. “I like knowing I made you and our people proud. I want to continue doing that.”
