Page 12 of Worthy Promises
“Tell me, Somerly, how is it that you know what King D’Vairedraconis looks like anyway?” Worth asked. “The hated enemy of our father isn’t someone you’d be likely to meet.”
Somerly squared his shoulders and drew himself up a little taller. “Not only have I met him, I’ve been visiting his home for months. My mate lives there at D’Vaire.”
As baffling as the night was, Worth found himself surprised yet again. A mate was something Worth had yearned for, but Boian had no use for Fate. How had Somerly gone to D’Vaire? “Your mate? I’m surprised Boian even taught you the word. Let alone the meaning of it.”
“I’ve learned on my own what it means to love a mate,” Somerly whispered. It had come at some cost Worth would wager, and he was sorry Somerly had been hurt. King Boian should’ve encouraged his son to find the other half of his soul, but the man was an unequivocal shit.
“Leave him be,” Lex ordered. “He’s in quite a spot with his mate. Sergeant Brown, the man Fate paired Somerly here with is Grand Summoner Dre’Kariston D’Vaire. They’re at odds, but I thought the information might help.”
Sergeant Brown rose. “I’m going to draw up some paperwork and contact the Office of the Emperor. Prince Worthington, I’ll need you to follow me so we can take a picture of you.”
Worth stood and was ready to go wherever the police officer directed as long as he never had to return to his father’s court. “Will you be helping us, then? We’re rather keen to join the Council.”
“Rest easy, gentlemen,” Sergeant Brown replied with a smile. “Emperor Draconis pays handsomely to make sure we send any dragon to him. He’s made it clear to all levels of our government that he’s quite eager to get the lot of you into his care. The man himself calls the stations closest to the three dragon courts on this continent regularly. It might take us some time to make arrangements and book your flights, but you’ll definitely be going to the Council.”
“See, Somerly? I told you the Emperor wants to help all dragons,” Lex enthused while Worth breathed a sigh of relief. Everything he’d dreamed of for so long was about to come true,and it thrilled Worth and his beast. It was one of those rare instances where they were fully in accord. All it had taken to get away was courage. That was a lesson Worth would not soon forget.
∞∞∞
A week later
Council of Sorcery and Shifters
Worth’s emotions had rocketed from one extreme to another for the past week. They’d flown to North America and been put up in a fancy hotel suite. While Worth was making incredible inroads into getting to know his brother and Lex, Somerly was despondent. He’d erred and told his mate he planned on marrying the woman Boian had picked out for him.
Somerly’s other half hadn’t taken the news well, and the pair weren’t speaking. Worth’s brother was kind and liked to please. King Boian had used those attributes to his advantage, and poor Somerly hadn’t understood how his desire to please Court Ethelin would devastate his mate.
But Grand Summoner Dre’Kariston hadn’t been idle. They’d learned Dre’Kariston and a group of sorcerers had accomplished the feat of reuniting two undead fallen knights with their dragons. They weren’t ordinary men—Reverent Knight Drystan and Conley Gylde-Kempe had once been Emperors. After their resurrections, they’d become the rulers of the race in charge of defending and protecting the Council.
As for the current dragon Emperor, he stalked confidently into Worth’s hotel room. Worth had to stop himself from genuflecting as both man and beast wanted to honor theirFate-chosen leader. Instead, Worth thrust his hand out to offer the black dragon with the distinctive golden ring around his irises a handshake.
“Gentlemen, allow me to introduce you to Emperor Chrysander Draconis and his brothers, Imperial Duke Damian Draconis and Duke Zane Draconis,” Reverent Knight Drystan said. The dark-haired man was nearly as tall as Worth, and thankfully, his blue eyes were kind.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty,” Worth replied.
The Emperor smiled. “The pleasure’s mine, and I think under the circumstances, you can call me Chrysander or Chrys.”
“What circumstances are those?” Lex asked.
“Well, I begged for the honor to come here today and let you know that King D’Vairedraconis has approved your request for all three of you to call his court home,” Emperor Chrysander replied. “I’m a regular visitor to your new residence, and I shed my title once I step through the doors.”
“That’s incredible news, Your Majesty,” Somerly replied. The three men had feared being separated, but most importantly, Worth was thrilled Somerly would be reunited with his other half. “Thank you.”
“I had nothing at all to do with it, but I’m glad you’re all happy.”
Worth’s grin was huge, and he could hardly fathom the changes in his life. It was more than he’d dare dream of before he left behind the old house at Court Ethelin. Being surrounded by dragons was wonderful, but it made Worth wonder again about Somerly’s height. Why hadn’t he grown as tall as a normal dragon?
“When can we leave? I’m excited to meet the cursed King,” Worth said.
Chrysander chuckled. “Not nearly as excited as the rest of us.”
“I’ve a feeling there’s more going on here than we know,” Lex remarked.
“I’ll admit there is, but you’ll easily see for yourself why we’re grinning like idiots,” Conley replied.
“Speak for yourself. I never look like an idiot,” Chrysander’s twin, Imperial Duke Damian Draconis, retorted.
“It’s that stupidly handsome face of yours—it always looks good,” Duke Zane Draconis told him.
