Page 70 of Worthy Promises
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“It’s so exciting that we’ll have Oliver in the office with us,” Kitchi enthused, settling behind his chair in the massive office that officially belonged to the High Kings but was home to many D’Vaires during the day.
Next to Worth was an empty desk Kitchi had used for a while. His space was now along a long wall with access to the expansive backyard. The racoon shifter loved being close to the windows, and he often chatted with Rutledge, whose desk was closest to him.
“Larissa has already started working on her design for our new suite,” Worth stated proudly, yearning for the project to be finished so he could have Oliver at his side constantly. Since neither Worth nor Oliver had a specific idea for their space, they’d supplied Larissa with their preferred colors and were leaving everything else in her capable hands. Worth predicted there would be plenty of his dragonskin throughout. The moment Oliver had returned to New York, Worth and Larissa had recruited Jeremiah to paint a mural on one wall with Oliver and Worth’s beasts.
Worth was so busy being glued to Oliver’s human side that they had yet to shift together. That was something they’d remedy as soon as Worth’s mate returned to D’Vaire. Jeremiah had volunteered to grab a few photos to enable him topaint Oliver’s owl. Worth and his dragon were excited for the opportunity to fly alongside the other half of their soul.
“I wonder what Orion will choose for his new room,” Rutledge said.
“Hopefully it will honor the beast he’ll someday shift into,” Worth replied. “I wonder what Owliver’s plan is for Orion’s beast training. I’ll have to ask him. If he doesn’t have an owl he trusts to help Orion, I’d love for him to work with Jeremiah.”
“As far as I’m concerned, there is no shifting trainer better than Jeremiah,” Brogan remarked. “Convince Oliver to get him working with Orion. He’s not too young to get started. Owls shift first at eighteen, right?”
“They do,” Worth answered. “Don’t worry, I’ll speak with Owliver about it tonight.”
“I bet you can’t wait until he and Orion are here,” Kitchi said with a smile. As usual, the raccoon shifter had his dark hair artistically styled.
“The day cannot come soon enough for me or Asteria,” Worth mused. Hearing her name, thellerka’irrobumped her nose on Worth’s neck, and he ignored the shiver the suddenly cold spot on his skin caused. Reaching up, he dragged his fingers through her fur, and she shifted, yawned, and would probably be asleep again in a minute or two.
“That’s understandable,” Rafe replied. “We’re excited to add two new family members. Especially Zarasha.”
“We could use more kids in the house,” Worth commented.
“Well, it won’t be long before we have a baby in the house,” Aleksander said.
“At what point are we going to tell Noir she’s not allowed in the kitchen anymore?” Brogan asked.
“She’s a grown woman who can make those decisions for herself,” Mac drawled.
“You’re just scared she’ll flatten you if you tell her to take it easy,” Brogan insisted with a grin.
“I don’t see you suggesting she take it easy,” Mac retorted.
“He told her to sit down last week,” Aleksander commented, leaning back in his chair.
“Wow,” Worth said. “I’m surprised you lived to tell us about it, Brogan.”
Brogan narrowed his navy gaze. “Very funny. She told me she wasn’t tired so she didn’t need to sit.”
“Then she told him to get the hell out of her kitchen,” Aleksander added with a chuckle.
“Damn, how come the good stuff happens when I’m not around?” Mac asked.
“It wasn’t that big of a deal, but seriously, should she be working in the kitchen in her condition?” Brogan asked. “I’m worried about her.”
“She’s fine,” Rafe said. “It’s up to her to decide when she wants a break. The big issue we need to figure out is what to do after the baby is here. Kendrick insists he can feed everyone, but I think he should spend his time with Noir and their little one for the first couple of months.”
“Is kidnapping Henry out of the question?” Worth teased. Henry Gennevios was a renowned chef with dozens of restaurants. The enchanter and his mate were part of the extended D’Vaire clan, and Henry often exchanged recipes with Noirin and Kendrick whenever he visited.
Mac shrugged. “We probably have too many fallen knights, sentinels, and reapers in the family to get away with committing crimes.”
“Hmm, I’ll give Henry a call,” Aleksander said. “Maybe he has some ideas about how to get everyone fed.”
“Without filling this house with strangers,” Brogan insisted.
“Of course we’ll keep everyone safe,” Rafe replied. “We’ll figure this out. We want our new mommy and daddy to enjoy the birth of their child and not have to worry about anything else.”
