Page 107 of Worthy Promises
Worth chuckled. “Everyone is elated to have you here with us. You were definitely born a D’Vaire. I must point out that you did volunteer to help with the household chores.”
“It’s nuts, but I totally feel like I was born a D’Vaire, and hey, I enjoy cleaning. I just don’t want it to be my whole life,” Imogene responded with a wide grin that lit up her pretty face.
“I feel like I was born to be a D’Vaire too,” Orion said.
“You were,” Oliver told his brother. “We both were. I’m so glad you love your school, your friends, and your home here.”
“I’m not even mad anymore that it took us so long to move in,” Orion replied.
Throwing his head back, Worth laughed at the disgruntled expression on Oliver’s face. “I’m almost not mad either,” Worth teased.
“Building a relationship with your mate takes time,” Oliver insisted.
“I’m moving in with my mate as soon as we meet,” Orion retorted, his chin lifted in a stubborn tilt.
“Not me,” Imogene replied. “I’m going to make him move in here. The last thing I want to do is leave D’Vaire.”
“I hope yourv’airsell niollwants to move here,” Zarasha told Orion. “It would be really sad for my best friend to move away.”
“I meant I want them to live here,” Orion assured Zarasha, whose face brightened. “They are going to be best friends with us.”
“We’ll have the best tea parties,” Zarasha enthused.
Worth noted with no small amount of sadness that Xakiok avoided the topic of mates and was concentrating overly hard on the teacup he’d wrapped his hands around. No matter how many years had passed, Xakiok would not forgive himselffor his past, and it worried Worth. At some point, Fate would match the fairy, and Worth hoped it would go well.
Meeting Oliver had changed Worth for the better, and he wanted everyone in his family to experience the love in his heart. It was as if a part of Worth had been missing and Oliver had filled up the emptiness inside him. Worth’s dragon roared in agreement, and a lovely wave of joy swept through him.
With a smile for Oliver, Worth bussed his cheek again. He never tired of touching his gorgeous mate, and it wasn’t the attraction he solely counted on—their rich friendship was just as vital to Worth as everything else. The promises they’d made to each other in the memorial garden—where so many D’Vaires had completed their matebonds—had united them for eternity, making Worth the luckiest dragon alive.
While Zarasha and Orion made critical decisions about which petit fours they wanted on their own plates, Oliver leaned close to Worth.
“What’s with that smile, Worthington?”
Unaware that he was grinning, Worth brushed their lips together. “I was thinking about you.”
Oliver lifted a hand and tucked an errant chunk of Worth’s hair behind his ear. “I love you too.”
“You guys are so cute together,” Imogene gushed. “I’ve never been around so many couples that adore each other. I swear I spend half my day walking around sighing with envy.”
“Don’t be envious—demand Fate bring you your other half,” Worth insisted.
“It doesn’t work that way, Worth,” Zarasha countered. “You have to wait until Bétea thinks you’re ready.”
“At least Worth is no longer expecting Bétea to lead hisv’airsell niollto the front door every day,” Xakiok teased.
“Well, I still maintain that Owliver should’ve arrived at the front door years before we met,” Worth argued.
“How would I have even got to the front door?” Oliver asked. “There is a big magical bubble protecting this place, and the address is a closely guarded secret because it’s a sanctuary.”
“Those sound like excuses,” Worth teased.
Oliver narrowed his lovely yellow eyes at Worth but didn’t bother to counter his accusation. Instead, Oliver lifted his teacup while he toyed with Worth’s fingers under the table. Zarasha and Orion finally agreed on petit four distribution, and Worth thanked the pair as they passed him a small plate with three treats on it.
“I can’t wait until RJ is old enough to have tea with us,” Orion said.
Worth wondered if Zarasha and Orion would remain interested in hosting tea parties by the time RJ could join them. The pair were now both growing up, and they’d likely find different interests as they aged.
“I wish we could invite some of our friends from school here to play with us,” Zarasha commented. “But Brogan doesn’t like strangers here.”
