Page 20 of Worthy Promises
“No, he wouldn’t have done it himself. Do you remember Duke Andrik? I think he was executed when you guys were teenagers.”
“I avoided him. He had a flat stare and was always rude to me,” Aleksander said, his mouth tightening.
“If there was a murderer in Boian’s court, it was him. He was what we’d call a psychopath today. He lacked empathy. There were many things he did that Boian allowed him to get away with.”
“But Boian gave him a death sentence after he raped that young girl,” Aleksander protested.
“Aleksander, she wasn’t the first. Andrik just made the mistake of picking the daughter of a visiting King. All kinds ofthings like that went on, and the world was a much crueler place, but Boian could’ve stopped it sooner. He chose not to.”
“Seriously, Dad. Why didn’t you find a different King?”
“Lex, did any of you ever consider that no other King wanted to take on one of Boian’s Dukes? Andrik wasn’t the only one of his men who did things like that; we were all painted with the same brush.”
“What happened to Ismay after Aleksander? I wasn’t hatched,” Worth said, unsure what to think about anything he’d learned thus far. While Ismay had been misused in her youth, several centuries separated his birth from Aleksander’s. What had happened?
“Boian was frightened of Onora and Ismay’s children. All of you believe that it was simply Aleksander he was banishing. Think about it—none of the six original D’Vaires knew each other well, but four of you were connected. Brogan, you were his best friend, and Noir and Dray, you were his cousins. Think of the four dragons together. All dark and strong. Although Fate picked Boian as a King, I don’t think he has faith in her. He doesn’t trust his own position because he knows how easy it is for someone to disappear just as Sorin and Onora did.”
“So, he was scared of us? That was why we had to go?” Noirin asked.
“Yes, he referred to you guys as the spawn of Onora and Ismay in private after you became D’Vaires. He’s also intoxicated by power, which is why I think he invited Ismay back after a few centuries.”
“He was hoping for another powerful child?” Saura asked.
“Which he got,” Drogo replied. “I don’t know how he got in touch with Ismay. She was simply there once again. This time she was a grown woman and knew what she was getting herself into.”
“You don’t like her,” Noirin said.
“She’s a stunningly beautiful woman just as Onora was. Unlike her sister, she couldn’t care less for her children. She has a strong dragon of her own and uses her body to get wealth from foolish men like Boian. I wouldn’t be surprised if you found a few new siblings showing up at your door. I don’t know where to find her. I can tell you if she’s still alive, she went to the Council. That’s why Somerly has a different mother. Boian couldn’t bring her back again.”
“Whoismy mother?” Somerly asked.
“He told you the truth about her as did I. She didn’t survive. She only lived for a few days after you were born. I never saw her again after I heard she went into labor. Her name was Marybel, and she was a mystery who Boian kept locked in his rooms until after her death. I only met her once, perhaps twice. I’m sorry about not telling you sooner; I kept waiting for you kids to ask me.”
“We’ve worked so hard to push the past behind us; we forget sometimes to ask the obvious people the important questions,” Aleksander responded. “Thanks for explaining what you could. I know I appreciate it.”
“I’m so glad Somerly met Dre’Kariston and we’re here now,” Lex said. “You and Mom get to live next to us. All of us get to be together for eternity, and we can have a party when Boian drops dead.”
“What do you meaneternity? Dragons aren’t immortal,” Killian commented.
Noirin slapped Dravyn’s arm. “Seriously, what do you two talk about when you aren’t having sex?”
“I’m not even here right now,” Dravyn muttered.
Worth bit back a smile at his cousin’s pink cheeks and wondered what to make of Ismay. Had she still been a victim of Boian’s manipulation when he was born, or was she as coldand unfeeling as the father who’d once locked Worth in a lonely house for a century?
∞∞∞
Worth sat heavily in his chair as he stared dumbfounded at Killian the Dwyer. They were in the office Worth rarely used since he despised solitude, and the leader of the druids had just offered Worth a job. It was one he’d never normally qualify for as his resume was essentially empty.
“Are you mad?” Worth asked the barefoot druid. As usual, Killian was dressed casually in dark green. Though he spent much of his time in the garden he shared with his mate, Dravyn, not a speck of dirt clung to him thanks to his incredibly powerful magic.
“I don’t think so, but don’t ask Dray, he’d probably tell you I am,” Killian teased with a small smile, joy lighting up his unique gold-specked eyes.
Trying to gather his scattered wits, Worth grabbed the edge of his pristine desk and shook his head to clear it. “When I applied to your company, I was expecting to get a job where I could climb the ranks. Now you’re telling me you wish me to be the Chief Financial Officer of Dérive? I won’t deny that I’m good with figures, and thanks to Aleksander, I’ve improved my abilities in the past several years. But what do I know about the responsibilities you’re suggesting I take on?”
“Aleksander describes you as a genius with anything to do with math, and you’ve helped him grow his substantial wealth since you joined the family, according to Dray,” Killian argued. “Plus, I trust you. I’m right here to ask if you have any questions. Like you, I’ve found a home here, and this is where I belong.Right in Dravyn’s garden. I think putting you in a lower position is wasting your skills. You’ll figure this out, I believe in you.”
Worth was touched by his kind words. He had watched with joy—and envy—as Dravyn and Killian had gone from nearly enemies to a couple united by their deep love. There was no question Killian was meant to be at D’Vaire at Dravyn’s side. Like Worth, Dravyn couldn’t imagine leaving the beautiful people who shared Worth’s last name. While Worth routinely begged Fate to bring him his mate, he feared meeting someone who couldn’t understand his desire to stay put. How would he ever be able to choose between the other half of his soul and the people who nourished him?
