Page 44 of Worthy Promises
“Come along, Owliver,” Worthington said, stepping past his chortling sibling and into the house with Oliver on his heels. “Let’s go see some dragons.”
“Did you really invite Their Majesties and everyone else here today?”
“Of course I did. I want only the best for you.”
Overwhelmingly moved and touched by Worthington’s thoughtfulness and the friendlyllerka’irroon his shoulder, Oliver followed his mate into a short hallway with cream-colored walls and shiny wooden floors. There was a single beast Oliver was determined to watch fly that day, and the world’s lone pink dragon was already proving himself to be far more than he could’ve imagined as his own personal gift from Fate.
Chapter 15
Worth took a second before stepping outside to glance back at his mate. Oliver’s warm palm was resting against his, and Worth couldn’t help but slide his fingers gently across the owl shifter’s skin. A pair of vivid yellow eyes were locked on Worth’s face. In that stunning gaze was curiosity and warmth.
“I hope you’ll forgive me for waiting to introduce you to everyone until after we’ve flown for you and Orion,” Worth said.
“Although I’m eager to meet your loved ones, I’m ready to be dazzled by dragons,” Oliver replied.
“Have any predictions on which color will be your favorite?”
“The rest of the dragons are a bonus. I’m here to see a pink one.”
The beast that Worth had once detested and been shamed by roared with delight in his head. Both dragon and man were ready to do anything to please Oliver. Worth leaned in close and breathed in Oliver’s lovely sage scent. “Or perhaps you’re impatient to get me naked,” Worth whispered against Oliver’s earlobe. To his delight, Oliver shivered.
“That’s definitely on my list of things to achieve soon. But I can see your family and my brother through the glass. I’drather not have an audience as I familiarize myself with every inch of you.”
Worth’s plan had been to tease Oliver, but he’d inadvertently whipped his own senses into a frenzy as luscious images of him and his mate without a stitch of clothing separating them filled his mind. His cock jerked, and he had to take a deep breath to calm his rising libido. With a quick kiss to Oliver’s cheek, Worth straightened and forced himself to pull the door open.
“Owliver.”
“Yes?”
“I’m yours anytime you want me.”
“I’ll definitely have you, but we have a lot to learn about each other first.”
Worth nodded and led Oliver out onto the deck. “Agreed, I want to know everything about you. Now, enjoy your bonding time with my Asteria, and I’ll go shift for you.”
“Is Asteria going to be okay with you up in the air?”
Pleased by Oliver’s thoughtfulness, Worth scratched Asteria between the ears. “Yes, she’s taken with you.” Worth indulged himself with another kiss to Oliver’s cheek, then forced himself to release his hand. “Prepare to be amazed.”
Oliver smiled, and his eyes widened as he finally noticed the array of stunning dragons milling around as they waited for Worth to shift. They ranged in color from the deep, matte black of Reverent Knight Drystan Gylde-Kempe to the brilliant white of Emperor Ellery. In between were vivid shades of dark violet, rich teal, navy, and forest green alongside wyverns, Faedrekans, and fiery birds.
“Wow, are those phoenixes?” Oliver asked in awe.
“Yes, don’t touch. Their feathers will burn you,” Worth warned as he jogged away from his mate to the changing room. Before stepping inside, he scanned the backyard andfound Orion and Zarasha floating on a magical cloud near the memorial garden. The leaders of the Fae were standing nearby and were no doubt responsible for their perch. Worth didn’t need to worry that Orion and Zarasha weren’t enjoying themselves. They were chattering away, and Orion was flipping through his book—no doubt showing Zarasha pictures that matched the gorgeous beasts walking across Aleksander and Rafe’s backyard.
Satisfied that he had nothing to worry about bar impressing Oliver, Worth closed himself into the changing room. A couple of decades ago, Worth had stood in that room scared that shifting would ruin his chance to fit in with his new family and he’d never find pride in his beast. D’Vaire had healed him, and those fears were a lifetime ago now. Alongside the D’Vaires, Worth had become a new man and he’d healed from the scars Boian left him.
With a faint grin for the future and a hope that Oliver would find the same kind of peace under Aleksander and Rafe’s roof, Worth quickly stripped. He set his folded clothes on a free shelf and walked out. After the door was securely shut behind him, he arched his spine and gave control over to the beast who shared his soul. His bones elongated, tendons and muscles stretched, and without a pinch of pain Worth became a giant dragon dwarfed by few of his kind.
On sturdy pink feet, he stalked around to the other dragons. Thanks to his dragon’s incredibly enhanced eyesight, he didn’t miss Oliver’s pretty smile or the gorgeous appreciation in his eyes. Worth stood a little taller and lifted his head high. It was one of the proudest moments of his dragon’s life. They had their mate’s immediate and undeniable approval. Soon Worth would ask Oliver to ride upon his beast’s back or entice him to become an owl so they could enjoy soaring together.
But for now, Worth fell into formation as Their Majesties led the charge across the ground. He picked up speed in a cluster of the other Dukes that served Aleksander and Rafe and, once he had enough momentum, flapped his big wings to get airborne. There was nothing like dragonflight. Even in the darkest moments when Worth had hated the color Fate chose for him, he’d loved the freedom of flying.
The air whooshed along his slick scales as they rose higher, and Worth couldn’t wait to discuss the differences between dragons and owls with Oliver. Although he’d been fascinated with owls for years and had everything from pajamas decorated with owls to pen holders in the shape of Oliver’s beast, Worth couldn’t have known that someday he’d have the opportunity to touch a live one, and he couldn’t wait.
∞∞∞
It had been hours since Oliver had snapped countless photos on his phone of Worthington’s dragon and the other incredible beasts that had taken flight alongside the Duke Argent. His stomach was pleasantly full thanks to a delicious and boisterous dinner with a myriad of Council leaders and D’Vaires. The moon was high in the sky, and the air was pleasantly cool as Oliver sat next to Worthington on the deck. People were scattered about outside, but many had taken refuge in the large mansion as the hour grew later.
