Page 39 of Worthy Promises
“I think he might be okay with that. How about we finish eating, then you can show me all the pictures in your book?”
“Okay.”
Pleased he may have finally made some further inroads into building a relationship with Orion, Oliver smiled at his brother as the little boy climbed into his chair and picked up his fork. It would take a long owl flight after Orion went to sleep for Oliver to rid himself of his rage over the way his parents had mistreated their youngest child. If Oliver hadn’t been so insistent upon separating himself from them, he would’ve understood the truth of Orion’s first seven years of life. But he couldn’t change the past. All he could do now was focus on building a wonderful future for Orion.
∞∞∞
Unlike the previous morning, Worth was sitting with his breakfast as his family slowly trickled in to eat. Before piling his plate full of food, he’d hugged Noirin tight and ensured she was feeling well. Now, he was halfway through his meal as the kitchen grew crowded. Rafe’s hair was a tangled mess, and he was wearing pajamas as he dropped into his chair next to Aleksander.
Worth’s elder brother was dressed for the day, and his dark gaze kept landing on Rafe. Despite the many years they’d shared, there was wonder along with love in Aleksander’s eyes as if part of him was still surprised at the happiness they’d built together. Worth wanted to know what that kind of joy felt like and promised himself he’d put that awe on Oliver’s gorgeous face too.
Once every D’Vaire—bar the four Faedrekans who lived outside—was in the kitchen/dining room, Worth grinned and whistled loudly.
“Again?” Aleksander complained with a frown as the D’Vaires quickly quieted.
“Keep complaining and I’ll do it every morning,” Worth responded cheekily.
“I can put him in a soundproof box,” Dre’Kariston offered. “He’ll be able to hear us, but not a peep from him gets out.”
“Tempting,” Aleksander said. “Okay, you whistled. What’s up?”
Since it was the biggest announcement Worth would ever make, he shoved his chair back and stood. Asteria came toattention on his shoulder as if she too had something important to share. Normally, Worth had no issue finding words, but he was unexpectedly tongue-tied.
“Are you okay?” Aleksander asked, reading the sudden nerves on Worth’s face accurately.
“Hmm, yes,” Worth replied, though he was consumed by such a bevy of emotions he could hardly find his tongue. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I guess as many times as I envisioned the moments that alter our lives, I never thought about how I’d say this.”
“Well, the suspense is killing me,” Lex said. “Take a deep breath and let us know what’s going on so we can help if you need it.”
“Hopefully, I won’t need as much help as I fear,” Worth stated. Then he closed his eyes and took Lex’s advice. After a few deep exhales and some bolstering from his elated dragon, Worth relaxed enough to find his usual glibness. “The other night at the party, something monumental happened. For the record, the warlocks in the house didn’t prepare me for it.”
The warlocks had the unique ability to scry to ask Fate if she was willing to give them clues about events past, present, or future. Dra’Kaedan and Dre’Kariston had both located their mates that way, but had no luck discovering the partners of anyone else they loved thus far.
“How you missed something so integral in your scrying I’ll never know,” Worth continued. “But I digress. I met a beautiful man, and he’s my mate.”
“Oh, you shit,” Noirin retorted as she raced over to embrace him. “You kept that to yourself yesterday because we announced the baby.”
Worth didn’t care for the annoyance in her violet gaze. “What else would I have done? Don’t be cross with me, I was happy to wait.”
“If you’re done arguing with him, I’d like to hug my brother,” Aleksander remarked. Noirin glared at Aleksander but released Worth. In a heartbeat, Worth was crushed against Aleksander.
“Congratulations, I’m so fucking happy for you,” Aleksander said.
“Thank you, I can’t wait for you to meet him.”
For the next several minutes, Worth could barely get in a word in as he was congratulated and squeezed until his ribs ached. He was handed a glass of champagne, and he didn’t wait for anyone as he knocked it back.
“Well, you just ruined any chance we had at a toast,” Aleksander complained.
“Good, we can start with the questions,” Rafe commented. “Who is he? Where does he live? What’s his family like?”
“It’s the hunky guy Worth was talking to the other night. It must be. He’s really fucking hot,” Kitchi offered before Worth could find his tongue. “Short, ice-blond hair, about two-ish inches shorter than Worth, and the brightest yellow eyes you’ve ever seen.”
Worth chuckled. “He is damn fine.”
“Does he have a name?” Lex asked.
“Oliver Toivonen,” Worth answered proudly.
