Page 71 of Worthy Promises
“Let me know if I can help,” Worth said.
Brogan’s eyes widened. “Do you know how to cook?”
“Since I doubt heating up frozen foods counts, no I don’t,” Worth replied. “I meant if our High Kings want assistance with logistics.”
“Oh, okay. That makes sense,” Brogan replied.
“I’ll let you know, Worth,” Aleksander said. “If worst comes to worst, we’ll have Brogan cook and put Squirt in charge of dessert.”
“I love him, but Dra’Kaedan has yet to make an edible cake despite trying over a dozen times. Let’s not encourage him to go near the kitchen,” Brogan answered.
“Hell, we don’t even want you in here,” Mac teased.
“Isn’t your office with the wizards?” Brogan asked. “Why are you here?”
“Because my brother told me I was annoying him,” Mac replied. Mac’s younger brother, Carter, was the office manager for the High Arcanists that worked for the Spectra Wizardry. Although Mac teased about being forced out of the office by Carter, the two brothers were close friends. Worth couldn’t imagine Carter forcing his brother out of the office—but to be fair, the drakeling didn’t take shit from anyone and would eject anyone who distracted him or the High Arcanists he protected and assisted. The reason Mac always showed up in the High King’s office was to enjoy sparring with Brogan.
“That checks out,” Brogan said. “You’re really annoying.”
“To be fair, so are you,” Aleksander remarked.
“Let’s face it, everyone is annoying sometimes,” Kitchi insisted.
“Especially Brogan,” Worth added with a grin for the scowling Grand Duke.
“Don’t you have work to do?” Brogan asked.
“Indeed, and I’m doing it,” Worth answered as he stood. “But I think I’ll go grab some water and say hello to the Seneschal Duchess. Maybe I’ll take my life into my own hands and suggest she take a seat to rest.”
“Good luck with that,” Brogan muttered.
With no intention of bothering his cousin, Worth left the office and headed for the kitchen. Worth was positive Rafe and Aleksander would find a solution for the soon-to-be new parents to allow them time with their baby and ensure the D’Vaires were fed too. But before the D’Vaires welcomed an infant to the house, Worth’s gorgeous mate and Oliver’s little brother would join the household. The thought brought a smile to his face, and he decided during his drink break he’d call Oliver and check on how his day was going.
Chapter 24
Oliver was addicted to the sense of peace that filled him whenever he was at D’Vaire. While Worthington would argue that it was the place itself, Oliver preferred to believe it was his mate who soothed his soul. His owl was equally joyous. The relationship between man and beast wasn’t one to be ignored, and it pleased Oliver that, at Worth’s suggestion, Orion had already started training with Jeremiah for his first shift.
It’d been negligent of Oliver to have delayed Orion’s bond with the snowy owl he’d meet at eighteen. But Oliver had avoided anything to do with his people thanks to Count Scandiacus, who was still trying to contact Oliver. A few underlings had left messages for Oliver to return calls to the count, but Oliver ignored them. The man was persistent, but that was too bad. Oliver’s connection to the D’Vaires was private and had nothing to do with the rude man.
On a more personal level, Oliver had also been disregarding his own beast’s desires, and he was finally remedying that today by sharing his first flight with Worth’s dragon.
“This is going to be so fun,” Zarasha enthused as Oliver opened the backdoor for her. She skipped out onto the deck with Orion on her heels.
Worthington’s scaly blue gaze met Oliver’s, and the Duke Argent grinned. As sweet as Worthington often was, his smile always struck Oliver as slightly wicked—something that fired his blood. Oliver liked to follow rules and refused to draw attention to himself, but he admired Worthington’s daring and charm.
“I can’t wait,” Orion cheered.
“I’m as excited as you guys,” Worthington said. “I can’t believe we’ve waited so long to shift together, Owliver.”
“It is definitely overdue. What are we going to do about Asteria?” Oliver asked. Thellerka’irrowas sitting on his shoulder, and Oliver hated the idea of her waiting patiently on the deck while he and Worthington took Orion and Zarasha on a flight above D’Vaire.
“Don’t worry, she enjoys a good dragon flight,” Worthington responded. “She often sits on my back. I go a bit slower, of course, to ensure she’s safe.”
“I could hold her,” Orion suggested with a hopeful smile. “Then we’d know she wouldn’t fall.”
“A brilliant suggestion,” Worthington replied, ruffling Orion’s hair as the little boy’s cheeks pinkened. “I think Asteria would appreciate you holding her.”
Oliver carefully lifted Asteria from his shoulder and handed her to Orion. “Do you have her?”
