Page 89 of Worthy Promises
“I don’t know how,” Worth whispered. “Aleksander is such an incredible person. I had no respect for royalty when I showed up here. My brother changed that. Gave me a title too. Not that I care about the prestige of that or whatever. I love being the Duke Argent because Aleksander decided I was worthy of that honor. I know that no matter what I’m going through or what I need, Aleksander is there. Without question, he is at my side forever. Drogo knew Aleksander and understood his character. I can’t move past why he didn’t send me to my brother.”
“You’ve discussed it with Drogo?”
“Yes. Drogo blames himself for what happened to Aleksander, though I don’t understand why. It was Drogo who gave Aleksander a bit of coin and sent him to Court Draconis. Unfortunately, the night Aleksander and the five other original D’Vaire dragons arrived, the Emperors were murdered. Their deaths rocked the dragons since it was their own Dukes who orchestrated it. After Fate chose Chrys, he spent a century tracking every dragon with a role in the plot. With so much chaos, Boian used his connections to spread rumors about Aleksander, leaving his firstborn ostracized.”
“The dragons judged Aleksander,” Oliver added, soothing Worth with long strokes of his hands down his back.
“Exactly, and Aleksander’s anxiety grew. As you know, he has agoraphobia and doesn’t much care about involving himself in draconic politics. We attend the annual fair, but Aleksander and Rafe use it as a vacation for themselves and don’t mingle with anyone.”
“But how could Drogo have known about the events that unfolded? He wasn’t part of the plot, was he?”
“No, Drogo has far too much honor and faith in Fate to have ever involved himself in the murders of his leaders.”
“You respect him, but you don’t like him.”
Worth blew out a breath and frowned. “Odd, right? I want to like the man. I really do. But he was literally the difference between me spending a little time by myself and it being extended to a century of isolation. Lex used to invite me to meals and such over at Drogo and Emmeline’s house. I couldn’t refuse Lex because I didn’t want to explain my feelings to my perceptive friend, who would’ve pelted me with questions if I refused. When the subject finally came up, I offered his parents a fresh start, but I don’t feel that in my heart. Lex understood and rarely invites me anymore. I prefer it that way. We can be cordial, but I’m not looking for a deep friendship with Drogo.”
“I’m glad Lex doesn’t involve you anymore. You’re entitled to your feelings, and you are too kind of a person to allow it to get awkward on Drogo’s visits to D’Vaire. But I have to say, I hate thinking of you in that house suffering.”
“I understand, Owlie,” Worth replied. “It makes me angry to think of you with your parents. You are far too familiar with loneliness. While it helps you understand fully what I endured, you suffered, and I hate it.”
“I suppose I could’ve left. Unlike you, I wasn’t trapped. But despite everything, I cared about them. I felt responsible for them. I couldn’t walk out. If I did, I don’t know how they would’ve survived. They were clueless about money andconsumed with what others thought of them. I had a choice, but I was scared. Making friends wasn’t something I excelled at, and I didn’t know how to build bonds with people.”
“You’ve done pretty damn good with me.”
“Worthington, you are exceedingly easy to love,” Oliver said, kissing him softly and caressing his cheek again. “Our entire relationship has been effortless. Something about you beckoned to me from the start, and I followed my heart. It led me here to this exquisite room and lying in bed with the most beautiful man Fate ever created. I’m not talking about your gorgeous face or your sexy body. It's your heart. You accepted me from the moment we met. Made me feel special and immediately ready to make promises to you.”
“What kind of promise are you willing to make?” Worth asked with a smirk. Like Oliver, Worth had started falling for him right from their first meeting. As much as he’d yearned to find his other half, Worth hadn’t known how much being with Oliver would change him. Oliver was everything he’d wanted in a mate and so much more.
“Whatever promises you want or need. I love you, and I’ll never stop. You can count on me. On my friendship and being at your side, no matter what. I’ll care for you and your littlellerka’irroand always work to ensure that our relationship is at the center of my life.”
Moved to tears, Worth didn’t bother trying to keep his emotions bottled up. As the first droplet fell, Oliver was there to sweep it away.
“You are everything to me too, Owlie.”
“Will you do my owl and I the honor of being our bonded mate?”
Worth wiggled down the mattress so he could lay his head on Oliver’s chest, which he kissed. His dragon roared loudly with approval, and a surge of incredible joy raced through him. “Afteryou made such exquisite love to me, I lay here thinking about that very question. I wasn’t sure yet how to ask, but I desperately wanted it. Yes. Of course, yes. My dragon and I would love that honor. I promise you have us forever.”
Oliver wrapped Worth tightly in his arms and settled his cheek on the top of Worth’s head. “I probably should’ve waited and given you a beautiful, romantic moment to remember, but I couldn’t keep the words inside any longer.”
“I love this. It’s perfect, which makes it romantic. You and me. That’s all we need. Fancy isn’t required.”
“Apparently, neither are clothes.”
With a chuckle, Worth shimmied a little against Oliver. Although they’d made love not that long ago, it wouldn’t take much at all to interest Worth’s dick in round two. Oliver was far too enticing.
“Focus on the dreamy promises we’ve made to each other and not our lack of attire,” Worth teased. “You’ve just made me the happiest dragon in the world.”
“My owl is still hooting in my head.”
“We’ll have to fly together tomorrow. Our beasts will be so happy to be together.”
“It’s a date. Not that I want to rush things, but while we’re on the subject of dates, how long will it take us to plan a matebond ceremony?”
Lifting his head, Worth grinned at Oliver and scooted up to share his mate’s pillow. “I love your enthusiasm. We’ll discuss it with our family in the morning. Unless there is anything big planned for the Council leaders in the family, I imagine we’ll have everything sorted and on Saturday we’ll be in the backyard making our promises to each other, with everyone in attendance.”
“Saturday,” Oliver replied with a beaming smile Worth had no choice but to kiss. “That’ll work. Wait, aren’t there Sorcery D’Vaire meetings on Saturday?”
