Page 33 of Mystique of the Fallen
“And hey, I’m not offended at all,” Grant said. “The title isn’t mine yet. I want it. You can be sure I’m going to keep busting my ass to be sure I get it.”
“But you were not paying attention in class. That is in opposition to your desire to be a Venerable Knight,” Kerrick commented.
Grant sank a bit into his seat. “To be honest, I already know this stuff.”
Arvandus chucked. “I’m not surprised, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want you to listen to me.”
“Sorry, VK,” Grant repeated, mortified. He had no problem with being the center of attention, but he preferred it to be for positive things, not for fucking up in a room full of his peers. “Can you repeat the question?”
“I didn’t ask you one,” Arvandus said, crossing his arms as he sat on the edge of his desk. “I’ve spent the last seven weeks with you. It was pretty obvious you weren’t paying attention. Your eyes were glazed over, and you were smiling.”
“I was totally right,” Scott threw in. “I’ll bet anyone in this room he was daydreaming about being a Venerable Knight.”
“Hmm, he was smiling. Maybe he was daydreaming about finding a mate,” Lara suggested as she ran a hand over her long red braid. “I think about it. How cool would it be to meet your other half?”
“It’s the most incredible moment of your life up to that point,” Arvandus stated with his eyes locked on Grant’s face. His expression was so intent that it raised the tiny hairs at Grant’s nape and sent a strange chill down his spine.
Grant had learned about mates, and his resurrection spell had imprinted the importance of having the other half of his soul. However, he was seven weeks old. While he hoped to have a partner someday, he didn’t expect it would happen anytime soon. It could often take centuries. In fact, VK Calixtus was the fourth man brought to life as a fallen knight and lacked his mate.
How the hell could Grant expect Fate to think of him before such a legendary fallen knight or any of other men and women older than him who were still waiting?
“I’m sure it’s exceptional, VK,” Grant replied. “I’m glad you met SkeL Albrecht. A mate seems like a wonderful thing to have, and I’m grateful that Fate will give me a partner to share my immortality with. But, let’s face it, I was resurrected seven weeks ago. I’m sure she has other priorities besides me. I don’t daydream about finding my other half.”
“I do,” Lara volunteered. “It’d be nice for Fate to send my mate along as soon as possible.”
“That makes you sound greedy,” Scott retorted. “Besides, you know Grant has done the opposite of you. Instead of experimenting with sex, he’s been completely focused on his training.”
“I hope we do not devolve into another conversation about sex,” Kerrick remarked with disgust in his brown gaze. “Thanks to our fallen knight friends, I have been educated well beyond what I would like to know about what goes on between lovers. I lack sexuality. I do not wish to discuss it.”
Arvandus smiled. “You remind me of SkeL Ducarius.”
Kerrick’s entire face lit up. “I do, VK?”
“Yes, he’s not keen on talking about sex either,” Arvandus replied. “Unfortunately, he gets more than his fair share of unwanted discussions at our mealtimes. But let’s get back to our studies so we’re prepared for our next test.”
“VK, our class time has reached its end,” Jacob stated.
Arvandus glanced up at the clock. “I suppose it has. Thanks, guys, for an entertaining end to our class. No matter how well you are doing on your tests, please pay attention to your instructors. We’re here for your benefit.”
“Thanks, VK, for the reminder,” Grant said as he rose to get to the gym for his next class. “I’ll keep focused.”
“I know you will, Grant. You’re doing an amazing job, and your dedication is admirable. Keep up the good work.”
Glowing with the Venerable Knight’s praise, Grant walked out of the room with a smile plastered on his face.
∞∞∞
Roman was nervous, and he swore the mandarin collar of his uniform was growing tighter by the minute. With a trembling finger, he tried to put some space between the embroidered cloth and his throat.
Conley reached over and squeezed Roman’s neck.
“It’s going to be okay,” Conley said, a mixture of kindness and concern on his face. “I promise it’ll be great. Grant has worked so hard for his title, and I think he’ll be ecstatic to meet his mate. His life is getting off to a wonderful start.”
“Fate picked well for you,” Drystan added, tugging Roman into his arms for a bone-crushing hug. “You’ve obviously got a lot going on in your head, but I have a feeling everything will be fine, okay? Trust me.”
Roman nodded. “I do. You guys have spent the last two months with him. I didn’t, and I hardly knew the man he was before anyway.”
“Good, take a couple of deep breaths,” Conley instructed, embracing Roman. “We’ll get out of here so you can meet him. Take your time. The graduation ceremony won’t start without our newest Venerable Knight.”
