Chapter 13

W ith only a week to go before graduation, Grant was flying high. Ranks weren't discussed until training was complete, but their scores were posted regularly. Grant would be a Venerable Knight. All the leaders of the fallen knights worked in Las Vegas, so he'd be assigned to the city where he'd trained. It was thrilling and a touch scary.

Since his resurrection, Grant had experienced a mixture of emotions. However, the one that rose above the rest was happiness. It was such an honor for his soul to have been chosen as a fallen knight that Grant refused to do anything but face each day with honor and dignity. Yes, he'd died. Grant didn't forget that. But it hardly mattered.

As someone resurrected to ferret out answers, there'd always be a part of him that wondered about his past. But the spell which had granted him this second chance had cleared his memory permanently. So, it was useless to bother with any questions that popped into Grant's mind about his previous life.

Plus, it was infinitely more exciting to focus on his future.

Grant was incredibly proud that he'd be part of the leadership of his race. It was also intimidating, but that was because doing his job well mattered to him. Grant wanted to be an asset to his people and to the Council.

"Earth to Grant," Arvandus called out.

Grant's cheeks pinkened. He'd completely zoned out during class. It was rude, but the reality was he'd learned nothing recently. Grant had reviewed his textbooks so often, he practically had them memorized. Their daily classes benefited the other recruits, but Grant had trouble staying focused on the repetitive nature of the lectures.

"Sorry, VK," Grant said with a grimace. "My mind wandered. I apologize to you and my classmates."

"Probably daydreaming about himself in his new VK uniform," FK1 Scott Avitus teased, his blue eyes brimming with humor.

Arvandus lifted a blond brow. "No titles have been granted yet."

"Please, VK, we can all read," FK1 Lara Drusus replied. "Grant's been kicking ass and taking names since the first day."

"He has yet to kick the ass of the Lich Sentinel or any Skeleton Lord," remarked a dark-haired sentinel recruit named Jacob Macmoran.

"As I recall, he did not take down either RK either," added fellow sentinel Kerrick Darkmoore.

"Hello, he's not that elite. Fate didn't intend him to be. Stop trying to make him feel bad," FK1 Jerica Salvius retorted.

Jacob's green gaze widened. "I didn't intend to shame Grant. I was pointing out an indisputable fact."

"Friendly reminder that sentinels go with logic first," Arvandus mused with a smile. "Trust me, you get used to it. In fact, I prefer it. With a sentinel, you never have to guess their motives. They speak the truth and expect the same from you."

"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."

"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 is everything ."

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."

"Make yourself proud first and the rest will follow."

"I like you, Roman."

With a grin, Roman slipped a magical patch out of his pocket and gently adhered it to Grant's uniform. "I like you too, Venerable Knight Valerius."

"I was resurrected first. Do the fallen knights in my graduating class all have Latin last names because of you and me?"

"Don't ask me, I didn't pick it."

"Like I can question the Arch Lich."

"He's part of your family now. You'll have plenty of opportunities to ask him whatever you want."

"Then the first thing I plan to say to him is thanks . I hope I didn't forget to say it the day I was resurrected. Being a fallen knight is turning out to be the most wonderful experience."

"Are you ready to graduate?" Roman asked as they shared another smile.

"Hell yes."

"Good. Let's go to the ceremony and you can introduce me to your graduating class."

"They're going to lose their fucking minds," Grant remarked. "Pretty sure I am too, once this sinks in. I'll have to relax with some popcorn later and think about the hot guy I met this afternoon."

"Or you could go out to dinner with me instead."

"Invitation accepted."

"Good, I'd like that."

"I'm still going to want some popcorn."

With Grant on his heels, Roman opened the door and motioned for Grant to walk ahead of him. "I think that can be arranged."

"Make sure and check out my ass," Grant said, wiggling his impressive tush. "It's pretty damn fine."

"You're not lying."

Roman was delighted, and his nerves were long gone. He stepped into the hallway and thanked Fate for his second chance with Grant.