Page 84 of Worthy Promises
“Fat chance of that,” Worthington retorted. “I’m the Duke Argent. My role is limited to financial duties and the occasional safety escort to an event or place as needed. Telling my peer she has a mandated break ahead of her is not among my duties.”
“Hey, I’m the Dark Indigo Duke,” Mac responded. “I have wizards to take care of. Brogan’s the first Duke, and his job is to do whatever the High Kings tell him.”
“Okay, that’s true, but I’m just throwing this out there…Dravyn is a Duke too,” Brogan countered. “Noir loves her baby brother. She probably won’t kill him.”
“Brogan has no tact, we can’t send him in there,” Aleksander said. “But I think we should ask Dray to join us. We can hide behind him if she wants to kill us.”
“Better yet, we bring Killian too,” Rafe suggested. “He can protect us with vines and shit.”
“The sooner you tell her, the better,” Worthington commented. “She will fuss, but she’ll also be grateful for the time to adjust to being a new mommy.”
“It’s the fussing I’m trying to avoid,” Aleksander retorted.
“He’s going to wait until she’s in labor,” Mac remarked.
“With all the things Noirin has to worry about with the upcoming birth of her first child, she’s probably concerned about how the family will eat while she balances the addition to her and Kendrick’s life,” Oliver said, daring to offer his own opinion on the matter. “You may be alleviating some of the burden she’s carrying by telling her you’ve worked out a wonderful solution. No strangers are being asked to join the household, and the Gennevioses will stay as long as needed.”
Aleksander glanced at Rafe, and his mate nodded at whatever he saw on Aleksander’s face.
“Yep,” Aleksander responded. “We’ll make Oliver do it.”
“No one is putting my mate in harm’s way,” Worthington declared. “Go do your duty, Your Highnesses. Your bellyaching will solve nothing. Oliver is right. Noir is probably worried about balancing the kitchen and the baby. Go talk to her.”
With his shoulders slumped, Aleksander slowly stood. The wolves came to attention as Rafe did the same. “Fine, but Ihope Fate doesn’t make any of you Kings if she kills us. I want some stranger stalking in here and ruining everything for you. I hope he or she spends money like mad, hates sorcerers, and drops every security measure we have.”
The second the pair and their wolves were out the door, Worthington lifted a brow. “Well, my brother is being most unpleasant today. I was hoping Noir would immediately understand the benefits of their plan, but now I hope she yells first and asks questions later. Maybe His Highness will wee himself a bit in fear.”
“I’d sneak in there to watch, but I don’t want to be forced into telling her,” Brogan said.
“Yeah, they didn’t even call Dray to meet them in the kitchen,” Mac added.
A shadow fell over the floor, and Oliver glanced up. Lex walked up to the glass doors and let himself into the house. Greeting no one else, Lex strode to Rutledge’s desk and leaned down to thoroughly kiss his other half.
“Normally I would’ve taken him to task for being rude and not saying hello, but I’ve a mate now,” Worthington commented.
“Well, I have a mate, and I still think he’s rude,” Brogan said.
“If you think I’ll ask about your welfare before I’ve kissed Owliver, you are sadly and sorely mistaken,” Worthington retorted.
“Don’t mind him,” Mac remarked. “He can’t help it. Whenever Dra’Kaedan’s in the same room with him, he allows the immature, idiotic part of his brain to have free rein. Instead of kissing his man, he opens his mouth and says something stupid to start a fight.”
“I’m sorry that Dra’Kaedan and I enjoy make-up sex. You waste your time with that syrupy sweet shit you and yoursweetheartdo whenever you’re together,” Brogan argued.
“You know, I’d usually applaud each couple for their own unique dynamic, but now that Owliver is here, I’m swinging to Mac’s way of thinking,” Worthington replied. “Why would you not wish to be kind to your other half?”
“I’m nice to Dra’Kaedan,” Brogan insisted, his brows furrowing.
Lex ventured behind Rutledge’s chair and settled his hands on the gargoyle’s shoulders. “Why are you arguing with Brogan, Worth? The man is impossible.”
“What did I do?” Brogan exclaimed.
“I’m not here to talk to you,” Lex replied. “Rutledge and I are putting together our calendar for the next couple of Fated D’Vaire events. Now that you’re here, Oliver, we were hoping we could convince you to take part in one. We’d love to showcase art and your galleries. Is that something we could talk you into doing? It’s for a great cause; we’ve matched up several couples now with our gatherings.”
Oliver smiled. “You don’t have to convince me about the merits of Fated D’Vaire. I’d be honored to be involved. However, I’ve just started the process of rebranding my galleries, and it’ll take some time to update all the signage, letterhead, and everything else involved. I’d prefer to stay away from any public event until it’s officially Oliver D’Vaire Galleries.”
“Quick question,” Brogan said. “Your leader uses the LatinScandiacusas his last name, following the tradition set by dragons and many other shifters. Shouldn’t it be D’Vairescandiacus?”
“No, while he uses it, most owls have kept their original last names,” Oliver replied. “That may have to do with theunpopularity of our ruler, and I have no intention of allowing anyone to believe I’m associated with him.”
