Page 27 of D'Vaire or Nothing
Diamonds and Dollars
Chapter 1
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Duke Argent Worthington D’Vairedraconis asked his sister.
Worth had met her far too recently for his peace of mind, but he enjoyed her company. They likely had other siblings out in the world, but they didn’t know how to find them or how many existed. Worth hoped their relatives would contact them someday, but he couldn’t worry about it constantly.
Imogene D’Vairedraconis grinned at Worth, and he could detect no reluctance or anything but happiness in her blue-gray scaly eyes.
“We’re going to have a slumber party. I bought a ton of snacks in the little shop downstairs. If we get bored, we’ll go shopping. But I honestly think we can find ways to entertain ourselves without leaving the room.”
Worth glanced over at the two children growing up much too fast for his liking. They were already in the wild pajamas every D’Vaire owed by the dozens. Orion’s yellow gaze was fixed on Zarasha’s face, and the little fairy with the pointed ears was gesturing with her hands as she explained something to her best friend. There was nothing in their body language to suggest that they were upset about the adults in the family enjoying the resort while they stayed upstairs in a suite with Imogene.
That didn’t stop Worth from feeling guilty that he was excited to have his mate to himself for a few hours.
At his side, Duke Argent-mate Oliver D’Vaire sucked in a surprised breath. Immediately concerned, Worth cut his gaze to the gorgeous snowy owl shifter to find out what had startled Oliver. The situation was immediately obvious. Asteria was a small Fae pet resembling an extinct pink-and-blackllerka’irroonce found only in a now-destroyed realm. She had hopped off Oliver’s shoulder to join the chattering children.
“Have you been abandoned, Owliver?” Worth asked, resting a hand on Oliver’s lower back and kissing his temple.
“I guess I have.”
“Are you guys leaving?” Orion asked. “We can’t start our slumber party until you’re gone. Right, Imogene?”
“It’s the truth. Get out,” Imogene told her brother.
“Cruel woman,” Worth retorted as Oliver laced their fingers together and led them toward the door of the massive suite they were sharing with many D’Vaires, including Worth’s two brothers.
“Call me if you need anything at all, even a hug,” Oliver said to the children.
“We aren’t going to call you,” Zarasha sang, her purple eyes brimming with joy. She did a little happy dance that offended Worth.
“I had no idea our presence was so abhorrent,” Worth groused.
“We decided you and Oliver should have a date downstairs,” Orion explained. “Mates are supposed to put each other first, but you guys are always taking care of us.”
“Plus, being with Imogene is super fun,” Zarasha added, winding a long strand of her purple-streaked blonde hair around her finger as she grinned at them.
“I’m fun too,” Worth muttered.
“Just give us hugs and go downstairs to strengthen your matebond,” Orion insisted.
Temporarily letting go of Oliver, Worth bent to hug the children. “I assure you, my matebond is as strong as possible. Owliver is loved, and my devotion to him is absolute.”
“I know,” Zarasha whispered. “When I grow up, I want to have a matebond like yours. But right now, I want you to go away so you can have a date. We have snacks to eat, and Imogene is going to teach us some card games.”
“Don’t get too wild,” Worth replied as a wave of tenderness and love flowed through him. For so long, the entire D’Vaire clan had worried over Zarasha. She’d been accidentally stuck as a stuffed animal who could not age or enjoy life fully. Now, she was so secure in her future that she’d already made decisions about her adulthood. It was music to Worth’s ears.
Once Worth had embraced both Zarasha and Orion, he stood and tugged Imogene into his arms.
“If they’re far more devious and evil than we know and tie you up to escape the suite, someone should be up here eventually to free you,” Worth said.
Imogene rolled her eyes. “I got this; everything is awesomesauce. If we get bored, we’ll do some horrible stuff, I promise. Maybe I’ll call up Gavrael and call GedeonGeddyagain. He was mad for weeks, as if I knew beforehand that Gavrael’s the only one who uses that nickname. Sentinels are hardcore.”
Easily recalling the incident that had happened the same day Imogene had rescued herself from their mother’s home, Worth chuckled.
“Consult with the children and come up with a plan that doesn’t include having elite assassins grumbling whenever you come near.”
“Sure thing, now scoot, Your Grace,” Imogene insisted.
