Page 93 of Worthy Promises
Aleksander smiled. “Worth and Oliver have requested the inclusion of every D’Vaire tradition, and we’ll begin today withthe oldest race among us. The Fae don’t use the word mate. In their language,v’airsell niolltranslates toeternal soul, a poetic and meaningful way to properly honor the person chosen for them. Today, the leaders of the Fae, Noble Protector Drekkoril and Valiant Defender Daravius, have asked Zarasha D’Vaire and Orion D’Vaire to present a gift created with sorcery.”
Oliver’s eyes widened as the two Fae leaders wove a mixture of dark and light magic to create a stunning statuette of Worth’s dragon and Oliver’s owl in midflight. On Worth’s back were Zarasha, Orion, and Asteria. The men carefully handed the masterpiece to Orion and Zarasha.
“On behalf of the Fae,” Zarasha began.
“We offer you joy and happiness,” Orion finished.
“Thank you,” Worthington replied.
“Can we give it to you now, Xak?” Zarasha asked, tripping a little over her paws as she approached her cousin. Oliver wondered if that was related to her recent issues Orion had noticed or if she was nervous.
Xakiok had some concern of his own in his vivid pink gaze as he took the statue.
“Can I hold Asteria now?” Orion asked, bouncing on his toes.
“Absolutely,” Worthington said.
Aleksander plucked thellerka’irrooff his brother’s shoulder and handed her to Orion. With a beaming smile, Orion cuddled her close to his chest. Thankfully Teverild Daray was taking pictures of the entire event, and his camera was pointed at the cute duo, so the moment was captured for eternity. Oliver planned to have an image of the two of them framed for Orion’s room and the one he shared with Worthington as soon as possible.
“In elven culture, no matebond ceremony is complete without a wreath worn by both ready to commit themselves toeach other and honor Fate,” Rafe said. “Emperor Ellery Draconis of the tribe D’Vaire and Emperor Chrysander Draconis will present Worth and Oliver with unique blooms created by Killian the Dwyer and Drindyr Duke Dravyn D’Vairedraconis.”
The Emperors walked over with circlets of pink-and-white lilies. Oliver bent his knees to allow the shorter Ellery to place the flowers on his head. Oliver loved the contrast of the lilies against Worth’s dark locks. The man could make anything look good.
“Gentlemen, will you please raise your left hands?” Aleksander asked.
Without any nerves, Oliver did as he was told and sucked in a breath of pain as Lex sliced his palm with a pink-hilted athame with a brilliant white blade. It had been designed by Madeline. A yellow sapphire gleamed from the end of the knife as Lex passed it to Somerly to cut his brother.
Oliver and Worthington placed their hands together, and a beautiful vision of two threads reaching for each other overwhelmed Oliver. It wouldn’t be complete until they bit one another, but it was a step closer to what Fate meant for them to be.
Worthington nodded at Oliver as if he understood exactly how close he was to weeping with pure joy and excitement. A throaty hoot filled Oliver’s head; his beast was so ready to claim Worthington forever.
“Duke Argent to Duke Argent-mate. Draconis to Scandiacus,” Rafe said. “Their souls are now tied, and their lives are now linked. May their hearts always stay united so they will never want another.”
“Shifters bite each other to seal their bond, yet it leaves behind nothing visible. Many centuries ago, dragons introduced the practice of wearing rings to ensure no one missed their bond,” Aleksander said. “Today Worth and Oliverwill honor that tradition by exchanging bands designed by the incomparable Madeline D’Vairedraconis.”
The rings that matched their athame—minus the brilliant gem—were handed to Worth and Oliver by Noirin and Dravyn.
With a grin for Worthington, Oliver pushed a thick band onto his other half’s finger. “Chosen by Bétea and Fate, and accepted by my heart as true, I accept you as myv’airsell niolland mate.”
Worthington’s smile was bright and so was the emotion brimming in his blue eyes as he repeated the words. “Chosen by Bétea and Fate, and accepted by my heart as true, I accept you as myv’airsell niolland mate.”
“Worth and Oliver will now exchange collars—or necklaces, as they’re called outside the Vampyr Clutch,” Rafe said. “Although they won’t use the sacred words of vampires, they’ll honor their bond by binding the locks with blood. Grand Summoner Dre’Kariston D’Vaire and Rutledge D’Vaire will present Oliver and Worth with their necklaces while Magister Duke Jeremiah D’Vairedraconis and Grand Duke Brogan D’Vairedraconis assist with the cuts.”
Dre’Kariston placed the necklace with a single strand of silver and another of gold around Oliver’s neck. Once again, he bit back a grimace as Jeremiah nicked him. Oliver and Worthington smeared their blood over the pink-and-white D’Vaire crest at the center of the blood lock, sealing it. To open it would require their mixed blood again.
“As Duke Argent, Worth now shares his title with Oliver,” Aleksander said. “Worth has already added gorgeous white feathers to the shanks of his ring, but it would be remiss of us not to give Oliver one of his own.”
High Arcanist-mate Greyson D’Vairedraconis walked to them with a smile lighting up his gray eyes with their occasional flash of pale rainbow. Greyson opened a ring box and handedOliver a thick gold-and-silver band with the same crest as his vampire necklace engraved on the top.
“Please accept this ring on behalf of the entire D’Vaire nobility,” Greyson stated.
“Thank you,” Oliver replied. Oliver reached out to grab the band, but Worth beat him to it. Worth slid it on Oliver’s finger with a wink.
“By the tradition of the Draconis High Court of D’Vaire, you are nowv’airsell niollsand mates,” Rafe stated. “You’ve honored everyone present by allowing us to bear witness to your joining.”
Oliver peeled off his cloak and handed it to Dra’Kaedan as Kendrick took Worth’s. It was Mac who cut Oliver for the third time, while the newest addition to the D’Vaire Dukes, Brynewielm Duke Heathcliff D’Vairefenix, used the athame on Worth’s palm.
“Duke Argent to Duke Argent-mate. Draconis to Scandiacus. Our blood has spilled, and our spirits have bonded. We ask Fate to grant us a mark from left shoulder to elbow so the world may bear witness we belong only to each other,” Worth said, pressing his hand to Oliver’s again.
