Page 65 of Worthy Promises
“Should we go work on our puppets?”
“Did you finish your breakfast?” Oliver asked his brother.
“Almost,” Orion replied.
“Eat it, then you can work on your puppets.”
The two children returned to the table with the Fae leaders, and Worthington kissed Oliver’s cheek. “After you finish yours, we’ll visit with the wizards and figure out the best time for Orion to be tested.”
It was one important step toward combining their lives, and Oliver was eager for each step that would bring him closer to Worthington.
Chapter 22
On Wednesday night, Worth sat outside on the deck. The moon was high above him, and most of the D’Vaires were already in bed. Next to him, Rafe was cuddled in Aleksander’s embrace on a chaise identical to the one Worth was sprawled on. Although it was late and Worth had a full day of work in the morning, he was in no hurry to venture to his lonely room. On his shoulder, Asteria was already fast asleep.
“You’re thinking very hard,” Aleksander commented.
Worth lifted a dark brow and met his brother’s eyes. “After all these years since I first arrived, I still find it annoying that you can so easily read my facial expressions.”
“Unlike when we first met, and I only recognized my own expressions on your face, I know you too well now. Even if you didn’t look just like me, I’d know you have plenty on your mind. Are you missing Oliver?”
Refusing to fight his smile, Worth closed his eyes, and there in his head was a perfect picture of the man he was growing to adore with each passing day. His dragon groaned forlornly that their other half was on the other side of the continent. “Always.”
“I like him,” Rafe remarked. “This is probably a stupid question, but how are things going between you two?”
“You’ve yet to ask a stupid question,” Worth said, chastising the High King who never gave himself enough credit. “Things are going splendidly. I do wish for more hours together, but that’s because I’m greedy. I enjoy his company. Fate didn’t let me down. No one compares to my Owliver.”
“So, I’m guessing that whatever is on your mind has nothing to do with your mate?” Aleksander asked.
“Not him specifically,” Worth said, shifting in his chair to find a comfortable position. “Something we discussed. It’s not dominating my thoughts, but I find myself drifting back to it and wondering.”
“We’re here for you if you want to discuss anything,” Rafe replied, his dark gaze serious.
“As you can imagine, we’re getting to know each other and discussing our lives,” Worth commented. “We were chatting about family recently. Poor Owliver had negligent parents who cared for themselves above anyone else, including their two sons.”
“I’m assuming you told him about Boian,” Aleksander remarked.
“I can hardly pretend we didn’t have such a shit for a father.”
“Are you thinking of contacting him?” Rafe asked.
Worth shook his head and frowned. “Not a chance in hell. The last thing I want to do is to waste a moment of time talking to that man. He worked hard to make the lives of all three of his sons miserable. I can’t forget his crimes, and I would hazard a guess that he lacks any remorse for the things he did.”
“I agree,” Aleksander said. “He made choices. Bad ones. But all three of us overcame him. Nothing pleases me more than knowing that whenever any of us cross his mind, he must remind himself that we live here together. While he might not give a shit about me or you, he had Somerly wrapped aroundhis finger for a century. But he underestimated his son and still does. Somerly will never be the dutiful son who asks no questions again.”
“But wouldn’t it be fun if Boian tried?” Worth mused. “One wrong step and Dre’Kariston would flatten the man. I’d pay a hefty price for a ticket to watch that.”
“You?” Aleksander teased. “The cheapest D’Vaire? I doubt you’d fork over a pile of money.”
“It’d be foolish not to negotiate the best price possible,” Worth said, refusing to argue that he wasn’t cheap with Aleksander. Worth was frugal and took great care not to overspend his own money or the D’Vaire fortune Aleksander trusted him to keep safe.
It was a philosophy that aided him greatly in running Dérive’s finances—not a penny was wasted. The employees were well compensated as Worth considered people their finest asset. As for material things, he saw no point in being frivolous. In Worth’s mind, it was the sole way to ensure the company flourished.
“If you’re not thinking about Boian, what’s on your mind?” Aleksander asked.
“We spoke of Ismay,” Worth confided.
Aleksander’s dark brows flew up. “Ismay? Is that what’s troubling you? We decided a long time ago that we wanted nothing to do with her, but if you’ve changed your mind, tell me.”
