Page 36 of Worthy Promises
“Yes, and a right asshat he is. He’s just regular old Boian Draconis now. Closely monitored by Chrys and Elf since he was released from prison.”
“Chrys and Elf?”
“Their Majesties.”
“Right,” Oliver replied. “I forgot for a second. High Court of D’Vaire. Closely linked with Court Draconis.”
“Overwhelmed by the D’Vaire thing?”
“You more so than your family name.”
“Because I’m so stunningly handsome or because I’m your mate?”
Closing his eyes to conjure up a perfect mental image of the gorgeous Duke Argent, Oliver wiggled his hips to get comfortable in his chair as his blood ran south. “Both.”
“Good. You feel like me. I have this lovely hot blond to envision now. The best part of it? He’s my mate.”
Oliver had never been told he was a hot blond, not even during the random and sporadic encounters he’d had with strangers through the years. “Right. So, um. Yeah. What did you do when you finally shifted into the world’s only pink dragon?”
“Owliver, your education on D’Vaires is sadly lacking. My shit of a father was humiliated by his son and locked me in an old house for a hundred fucking years. His first Duke, Drogo, was my sole visitor, and his visits were infrequent.”
“Fuck, I didn’t mean to bring up such painful memories. I’m so sorry. You had to spend a century by yourself?” Oliver asked. Although Oliver hadn’t been locked up against his will, he knew loneliness. It plagued him, and he hated it.
“You’ve a right to know my life. It was awful. I’ll be honest, I still can’t stand to be alone. I hope you’re not upset if you find me clingy.”
“I know we just met and we barely know about each other, but if I’m going to be in a relationship, I want it to be with someone who enjoys my company. A person who truly wants to share their life with me. Obviously, as individuals, we have our own goals, wants, and needs. I understand that and will support my partner.” Oliver took a deep breath and went with complete honesty. “But I refuse to be with someone who doesn’t enjoy having me around.” While Oliver’s parents had had little love for him, their devotion to each other was absolute. He yearned for the same with his other half.
“Owliver?”
“Yes?” he asked, wondering if he’d already frightened Worthington with his desire to be with someone who envisioned spending much of their days and nights together. Being vulnerable was a frightening thing, but Oliver refused to hold back who he was from the other half of his soul.
“What in the world do you meanifyou’re going to be in a relationship? Clearly, you are my mate. That is not negotiable. Fate doesn’t pair us up for ifs. Try when.When, Owliver.”
Smiling like an idiot, Oliver nodded in his lonely office. “I misspoke. I’m sorry. Fate and I…we’ve had our moments.”
“Have you waited long for me?”
“You’ve waited longer. I was born in 1864.”
“Did something happen to make you question Fate? I had my moments too, but it was because circumstance and some truly evil behavior tore my brother, Aleksander, and his other half, Rafe, apart for a time. I watched how it hurt Aleksander. He didn’t know Rafe was suffering and believed he’d been cast aside. I didn’t want to go through the same, but once they were reunited and I learned the truth of his family’s fucking treachery, I made up with Fate, as my family is wont to say.”
“That’s horrible, I’m terribly sorry for what your brother and his mate went through. It wasn’t like that for me,” Oliver said. He had plenty to learn about every member of Worthington’s family, and he was eager for every detail. But he first had to deal with confessing his issue with Count Scandiacus. “Honesty, that’s what we’re going for, right?”
“I’ll accept nothing less.”
“Good. The truth is my Fate-chosen leader is a dick. I don’t know how or why Fate chose him, but clearly it wasn’t on one of her good days. I couldn’t help but wonder if I’d wind up with someone tied to my soul who was as bad for me as Count Scandiacus is for the snowy owls.”
“Not the first Council leader I’ve either met or heard of that is a dick. I understand. Allow me to assure you, I’m not an asshat. Fate was kind to us both. I can’t wait to tell my family about you tomorrow. When I can see you again, Owliver?”
“Were you serious about letting my brother watch the D’Vaire dragons fly?”
“Such little faith you have in me. Of course I was. I’ll arrange it whenever it’s convenient for you both.”
“Saturday?”
“You’ll come in the afternoon and stay for dinner.”
“Thanks, I’m looking forward to it.”
