Page 13 of Worthy Promises
“My brothers are going to start arguing in a minute if we don’t do something to distract them,” Chrysander said. “Are you all packed? We’re going to have the Grand Warlock teleport us to your new home.”
“I can hardly believe we’ve a home now,” Worth enthused, not sure if the reality of it had settled into his brain yet. “We didn’t bring much with us. Grab your stuff, lads. Time to quit this damn hotel. As fine as it is, I’ve spent half my life confined within four walls, and I’m looking to expand my horizons.”
“King Ethelindraconis kept you confined?” Chrysander asked.
“A right asshole he is, and yes. He was ashamed to have someone like me for a son,” Worth remarked. It was his past, so he refused to allow it to hurt. King Boian was wrong. Worth was pink, but that didn’t mean he had nothing to offer the world. His beast loved that idea, and Worth wondered if in this land of magic and wonder they could mend their fractured relationship.
Lex and Worth went to grab their things. The second they returned to the living area of the suite, Lex said, “I believe we’ve got everything.”
Drystan took a photo of the room, and seconds later, a short blond and a dragon shifter shimmered into view. It was thefirst teleport Worth had witnessed, and he wasn’t sure how to process it except to envy the skill.
“What the—” the tall dragon shifter at the sorcerer’s side blurted as the warlock doubled over with laughter.
“Grand Warlock Dra’Kaedan D’Vaire and Duke Brogan D’Vairedraconis, may I present Worthington and Lex. I’m sure you already know Somerly,” Drystan said.
Worth frowned at the Grand Duke’s frozen stare. “I realize my eyes are strange, but I don’t think gawking at me is appropriate, Your Grace.”
Brogan smiled sheepishly. “My apologies, I’m being rude, but it doesn’t have anything to do with your eyes. Though I can’t wait to find out what kind of dragon you are, and please call me Brogan. We don’t bother with titles at D’Vaire. They’re for public use only.”
“Worth, we’re going to be best friends,” Dra’Kaedan insisted. There was mischief in his navy gaze, but it surprisingly didn’t raise Worth’s hackles. “Lex, it’s great to meet you too. I met your father on my only visit to your former home. He was gracious and helpful.”
“Your father’s an incredible guy,” Brogan said.
“Thank you very much,” Lex replied.
“Ready to go? Somebody take a picture of Aleksander when we get there, okay?” Dra’Kaedan asked.
“You better believe I will,” Conley assured him.
“I’m not sure I like the undercurrents going on here,” Worth replied warily. It was as if everyone was in on a joke that they’d neglected to explain to Worth. Tension was turning his belly into a vat of acid.
“The mystery of it all will be solved once we get home,” Brogan said. “Let’s go.”
“Close your eyes,” Somerly instructed.
After Worth did what he was told, the ground beneath his feet disappeared for a second.
“Bloody fucking hell, hedoeshave my face,” Worth shouted the moment he took in his surroundings. Across a giant two-story great room from Worth was a man with black hair longer than Worth’s and sporting a gorgeous layer of navy at his nape. The handsome man was probably six-foot-six. His dragon gaze was bicolor, and King Aleksander inexplicably had both a silver and a gold ring around his irises. Fate normally gave only Emperors gilt, but the supposedly cursed King had it. More shocking than that was how nearly identical he was to Worth.
“I’m considerably older than you, so you actually havemyface,” King Aleksander countered.
“Well, obviously whoever came first doesn’t matter—we’re both bloody handsome men,” Worth said. “The question is, how’s it possible we’re practically twins?”
“I’m wondering the same thing, and I know more about the situation than you,” King Aleksander replied. “There’s no gentle or easy way to tell you and Somerly this, but King Boian Ethelindraconis is my father.”
“Wait,” Somerly stated as Worth’s head spun. “That would make us all three brothers.”
“Aleksander, I didn’t realize King Ethelindraconis was your father,” Chrysander stated quietly. “All those centuries, he was the one who wouldn’t let anyone forget that you were different and should be ostracized because of it.”
“I did mention the man was a total and utter shit. Somerly here is still on his way to being convinced of it though,” Worth commented as he crossed his arms over his chest. It hadn’t occurred to Worth that the man King Boian called cursed was his eldest child, but it made a sick kind of sense. “Nothing wrong with being a unique dragon.”
“He didn’t tell me about King Aleksander, and he said you were dead,” Somerly defended.
“You should really just call me Aleksander.”
“I thought you were my enemy,” Somerly replied quietly, his navy eyes dark with sadness. Worth’s youngest brother was genuinely devastated at the way he’d treated Dre’Kariston. Worth was hopeful their matebond could be salvaged and that Somerly understood how detrimental it would be to ever allow Boian into his life again.
“I’m not. Not at all. I didn’t know we were related until this morning. I hope all three of us can get to know one another better.”
