Page 28 of Worthy Promises
“You want a cat? Yeah, I think we could get one. We’ll need some stuff,” Oliver said, already crafting a list in his head of things a cat would need. Oliver had never had a pet, so some research was necessary.
“Really?” Orion asked with an actual grin.
“Yep, so you better think of some names for your kitty.”
“Okay!” his brother exclaimed and thundered up the stairs with his smile still in place. If it would make Orion happy, then Oliver would find the best damn cat on the planet for him. Pleased that his brother would enjoy his evening, Oliver stepped out of the house and promised himself an hour at the event. Then he’d head home to make a list for the new addition to their household.
∞∞∞
High Draconis Court of D’Vaire
“Why aren’t you ready to go?” Killian asked Worth as he stalked into the great room with Dravyn at his side. Both men wore beautiful crowns made by Madeline, featuring Dravyn’s deep green dragon and a lovely mix of leaves and vines to represent the leader of the druids. Killian’s matching cloak was wide at the bottom to conceal his disdain for footwear.
“What do you mean?” Worth asked, running a hand over the blue-and-black dragonskin sash resting atop his pink paisley vest and black silk jacket. “I’m dressed in a tuxedo just as your mate is.”
“You forgot your crown,” Killian replied.
“I most certainly did not. Tonight, I’m attending your party as the CFO of Dérive, not the Duke Argent.” While Worthwas proud to have been chosen by his brother to serve his court, he refused to be defined by his title. It wasn’t necessary to attend an event specifically for the Circle of Druids and their biggest customers as anyone but a dragon happily toiling away for the company.
Killian rolled his eyes. “You are the CFO of Dérive, but you’re also the Duke Argent. Go get your crown.”
The backdoor opened, and Bard Ashby D’Vaire walked in wearing a tuxedo and a coronet of pretty leaves. At his side was Kitchi D’Vaireaehsepan, a raccoon shifter who Worth doubted he could do his job without.
“Sorry if I’m late,” Ashby said. As one of the quietest people in Worth’s boisterous household, it would’ve been nearly impossible to get to know the kind jaguar-druid hybrid if he didn’t work directly for him.
“You’re not late,” Worth assured him immediately. “We’re ready to go if Killian the Dwyer is done complaining about my lack of crown.”
“I’m wearing one,” Dravyn retorted.
“Of course you are, silly. You’re the mate of the ruler of the Circle of Druids. It would be odd if you showed up without yours.”
Worth had barely heard footsteps when there was a slight tug on his pant leg. A moment later, a magical animal gifted to Worth by Noble Protector Drekkoril D’Vaire of the Fae climbed up to nuzzle his neck. He’d befriend a realllerka’irrowhile on a dream visit to the now-destroyed Fae realms and had been distraught to lose his little Asteria.
The creatures were considered dangerous, and their name translated tolarge terrorthanks to their ability to instantly switch to a large lion-sized cat if they felt threatened. Not once had Asteria shown an ounce of aggression towardWorth, and he’d mourned that he couldn’t take her with him after the dream had ended.
To Worth’s shock, Drekkoril had sacrificed a tiny sliver of his soul to create a new Asteria for him identical to his dear friend. Since the day he was given Asteria, Worth had lavished her with attention, and she spent nearly all day sitting on his shoulder.
With a smile, Worth reached up to pet her soft black-and-pink fur. Her long eyelashes tickled his cheek as she snuggled closer to him.
“Shit, what are you still doing here?” Aleksander asked. His brother and Rafe were supposed to be babysitting Asteria while Worth was out of the house for the evening, but it wasn’t easy to separate her from her owner.
“Well, I’m fighting with Killian because he’s suddenly become a paragon of etiquette and demands I wear a crown to a Dérive event,” Worth remarked, already not looking forward to the process of tearing Asteria from her favorite perch again.
He wasn’t much for leaving the house, but this event was important. So were the monthly events hosted by Lex’s new company, Fated D’Vaire, which aspired to bring together mates. Like the other single D’Vaires, Worth attended, but he doubted he’d be lucky enough to find his other half among the guests showing up for each of the unique experiences Lex and his mate, Rutledge, crafted for participants.
“You’re a Duke, why wouldn’t you wear a crown?” Aleksander asked.
Whipping his head around to face his eldest brother, Worth glared. “If I’m attending something as a representative of Court D’Vaire, then I proudly wear my crown. But being CFO of Dérive has nothing to do with being the Duke Argent.”
“Wrong,” Aleksander said. “You’re always the Duke Argent, and once you accepted that role, you chose to representour court whenever you’re around others. So, go get your crown and get out of here.”
“Fine,Your Highness,” Worth retorted, using his brother’s royal address to annoy him. Aleksander abhorred formality under his roof, and Worth couldn’t keep himself from needling his brother when the opportunity arose. Both Rafe and Aleksander were a far cry from the egotistical King and father Worth had been forced to obey for two centuries. “Would you kindly do the job you were tasked with this evening and grab your charge from my shoulder?”
“Worth!” a little voice exclaimed. An adorableto’faer—a woodland stuffed animal common in the former Fae realm—ran into the room on her black-and-pink paws. As usual, she had an exquisitely tailored dress with a plethora of ruffles on it, and Worth returned her smile.
“My dear Zarasha, what can I do for you?” Worth asked. Zarasha had been accidentally stuck in the body of a stuffed animal by her cousin, Defender Xakiok D’Vaire of the Fae, and the spell had left her perpetually stuck as an eight-year-old girl. She held no bitterness against Xakiok for his actions and was a delightful child. Worth adored her completely.
She held out a large envelope with his name carefully scrawled on it in her childish print. “It’s an invitation to a tea party tomorrow. It’s for Asteria too.”
