Page 99 of Worthy Promises
“I screamed really loud,” Orion confided to Oliver’s pajamas.
“You scared me,” Zarasha responded. “I didn’t mean to scream too.”
“Just when you think Fate can’t do something new to surprise us,” Aleksander commented with a disbelieving shake of his head.
“I need to hug Orion,” Zarasha insisted. She pushed herself out of the cocoon provided by the men who loved her and had cared for her since the day Xakiok cast the ill-fated spell they’d thought had doomed her forever.
Worth smiled unconsciously as he took in the fairy version of Zarasha. Her gaze was as vibrantly purple as the streaks in her lengthy tresses, and her features were charmingly adorable. Whether it was Fate’s design or a wisp of magic, she wore a long nightgown in a thick white fabric trimmed in lace, covering everything but her hands and bare feet.
Orion released Oliver and turned to Zarasha. The kids grinned at one another, then hugged tightly.
“We’re going to have real tea at our party today!” Zarasha exclaimed.
“You can go to school with me!”
Zarasha gasped. “I want to meet all your friends.”
The children were adjusting far quicker than Worth or the other adults standing dumbstruck in the hall. Xakiok wasclutching Daravius as if he was afraid his bemollo would disappear as he cried.
“You’ll like them,” Orion assured her. “You can have lunch with us.”
Hopping up and down, Zarasha threw her arms up. “I can try all kinds of food!”
“Like cake,” Dra’Kaedan managed through tears.
“Can I make you something now?” Henry asked. Their temporary chef was dressed in pajamas reminiscent of an old movie, and Worth thought the long-sleeved button-down shirt and matching pants suited the elegant dark-haired chef holding hands with his elf-griffin mate.
“I want to try everything,” Zarasha enthused. “But I need to hug Xak again.”
“Me too,” Orion responded.
Xakiok didn’t release Daravius, but he held out one arm to draw the children close to him as he wept. There was both joy and devastation in his eyes. Worth was positive the fairy was reliving all those years Zarasha had been stuck as ato’faerand the guilt Xakiok couldn’t move past.
“Did the spell wear off?” Drekkoril asked. “Is that a possibility? Or did Bétea intervene?”
“I don’t know,” Rorie replied. “And I don’t care. I’m just glad Zarasha is herself again.”
The other Fae that had been gifted to Daravius and Drekkoril as gifts from Fate bobbed their heads in agreement. It was impossible to know if this was another present from the goddess, but Worth wasn’t sure who else to credit.
Worth eagerly turned into Oliver’s embrace the second his mate’s palm landed on his back. “I agree with Rorie,” Worth said.
“Come along, everyone,” Saura coaxed. “Let’s go grab some champagne and celebrate this precious moment in our lives. We’ll toast to Zarasha’s future.”
“I will definitely drink to that,” Rafe replied. “But everyone keep your voices down. Noir and Kendrick are on the other side of the kitchen. We don’t want to wake them or the baby.”
“Very good point,” Saura said. “We can show them our gorgeous Zarasha at a decent hour for Mommy, Daddy, and RJ.”
“Wow,” Oliver whispered.
Worth cupped his neck and kissed his temple. “I still can’t believe it.”
“I guess we don’t have to worry about clumsiness or ripped seams.”
“Perhaps not, but we’ll keep an eye on her. I’m sure everyone will.”
“It’s nice to get shocked almost senseless by something good instead of something awful,” Oliver said. Around them, D’Vaires traipsed toward the kitchen with low murmurs of conversation. Most were dressed like Worth and Oliver in the wild patterns Larissa picked for their pajamas or had robes pulled over their bright nightwear.
“Agreed. I don’t know what prompted this, but I’m grateful all the same.”
