Page 46 of Mystique of the Fallen
“So, mostly we’re on hand to greet people and jump in if someone forgot their card, or it’s not working for some reason,” Samson remarked. “The racial rulers are aided by fancy-dressed fallen knight leaders, and we build friendly relationships with them. It benefits both parties. Leaders are more willing to cooperate with a VK they’ve met and have chatted with if we need to call about an investigation or whatever.”
“Makes sense.”
“You gave up hours of hanging out down here with Roman and chose me. Why?”
“I guess living with all those sentinels has made you skip pretense and be direct as possible,” Grant teased. “It made sense to me to learn from the guy who had a path like mine. You’re the only person who knows what it’s like to show up as a new Venerable Knight and garner the respect of everyone around you. Your nickname may bekidto Arvandus and Roman, but they sure as hell don’t treat you like one.”
“I’m glad you were spared the months of trying to navigate a relationship with a testy dragon obsessed with your mate,” Samson said. “Do you want my advice?”
“Absolutely.”
“Be yourself,” Samson replied, his bisque-and-green gaze sincere. “That’s what I did. I was driven to prove myself. To be the best Venerable Knight I could be, and I had unfailing support from Arvandus, Roman, Drystan, Conley, and everyone else around me.”
“Like your mate.”
Samson’s mouth curved. “Yeah, B is always there for me. If I called him right now and told him I needed to do something mundane like chat, he’d drop whatever he was doing to teleport here and sit with me until I told him I was good again. Loyalty and honor are innate to sentinels. To any incorruptible soldier like us. Honestly? I’m glad you and Roman both got dead guys.”
“I’m pretty happy with Fate.”
“Good. I know it’s overwhelming too. For me, I was consumed with the idea that I was less than everyone around me because I had no life experience. My training was delayed, so I didn’t know when I met B that we would have equivalent titles. I told myself I was nothing more than an untrained soldier with a temperamental dragon whose personal struggles had taken valuable time away from the RKs. I was fucked up.”
“Yeah, it’s overwhelming. I’m sorry your path was so tough. Like you, I have this insatiable need inside me to excel at both being a good mate and the best damn Venerable Knight I can be. I’m going with that. I refuse to listen to the little voice in my head wondering why I’ve gotten so lucky. Fate wanted this life for me. I’m damn well going to honor her.”
Samson grinned. “I really fucking like you.”
“Good, I like you too.”
Tugging a bag out of his pocket, Samson unsealed it. “Want a chocolate chip cookie?”
“Of course I do,” Grant said, reaching in to grab one of the delicious treats Brynnius had baked.
“Eat it fast or the vultures will descend,” Samson instructed and inhaled one in two giant bites.
With a shake of his head, Grant ate his just as quickly. He was getting to know his peers, and thus far, Grant liked them. But his favorite was the gorgeous blue-eyed Venerable Knight who’d brought him coffee in a lime-colored mug.
“What are the chances I can find a mug with popcorn on it?” Grant muttered.
“Oh, we’ll find one. No worries,” Samson promised. “No way Roman is going to win for the best mate presents.”
“Do you feel like you’ve given Brynn better gifts? I mean, the man can fucking bake.”
Samson brushed a black curl off his forehead and grinned devilishly. “Come on. I asked Chand to resurrect a dog for my mate. Have you met Princess? Have you seen how inseparable B and Princess are? Please. It’s going to take like a thousand years of cookies to match that. The problem for me is…how the fuck do I top that?”
Grant laughed. “Hey, you created the problem, you get to solve it.”
“Thanks for your help,” Samson deadpanned.
“Always here to help a friend,” Grant chirped and chuckled again at Samson’s dour expression. His morning was off to a tremendous start.
∞∞∞
Roman lifted a brow as the man next to him stretched his arms above his head and yawned.
“Did you want to head home and get some sleep?” Roman asked.
The corner of Grant’s mouth lifted in a smirk. “Are you asking to come home with me and tuck me in?”
“Nope, not going near a bed if you’re in it.”
