Page 45 of Heart of the High King
Chapter 18
Aleksander sat heavily on a barstool and Noirin offered him a sad smile. “Still no word from Rafferty?”
“No, it’s been a week. I don’t know what’s going on.”
“I was afraid something like this was going to happen. My mother kept me away from my father and brothers for a reason. I’m not sure we can trust any of them,” Kendrick offered apologetically.
“Have you talked to Duke Sullivan?”
Kendrick nodded. “Yeah, a bit. I asked him about Rafferty, and he assured me that as far as he knows, nothing is going on. Rafferty’s home and acting perfectly normal. He has no idea why he’s not contacting you.”
“You mind giving me his number? I don’t want to put you in the middle, but I really want to know if Duke Sullivan would be willing to ask Rafe directly what the deal is. I know they’re good friends.”
“Of course I don’t mind,” Kendrick responded and gave Aleksander Sullivan’s information. “Just be careful, okay? These guys play by their own set of rules. That’s why I left.”
“I’ll admit I wasn’t too impressed with Duke Sullivan, but Rafe and I have texted since the day we met.”
“Sullivan’s the only one who has ever been kind to me,” Kendrick argued. “Even when Rafferty’s here, he barely looks me in the eye.”
Not willing to get into an argument over Rafferty, Aleksander stood. “I appreciate your help and the advice,” he told Kendrick as he left the kitchen.
When he got to his office, he found Worth at the desk that Aleksander hoped would someday be Rafferty’s. “Hey.”
“From that frown on my face, I’d say you still haven’t heard from your mate.”
“It’s my face, not yours. I was born first.”
“And that tone confirms it. You tried to call?”
“Only a million times. I just got his brother’s number from Kendrick.”
“The rude ass who came here and wouldn’t look at anyone who wasn’t a dragon?”
Aleksander walked around to his chair with a nod. “Yep, that’s him.”
“Well, text the dick and see if he will be a help.”
“On it,” Aleksander answered, sitting and blowing out a flustered breath. Deeply concerned about Rafferty, he’d hoped his biggest issue was being caught between what his heart wanted and how his family would react to his homosexuality. Without any response, Aleksander couldn’t know if there was more to the story.
Your Grace, it’s High King Aleksander D’Vairedraconis. Your brother, Kendrick, gave me your number, I hope you don’t mind. I hate that I must ask you, but would you mind letting me know if Duke Rafferty is okay? We’ve grown to be friends and he’s been strangely silent now for a week. Thanks, and have a great day.
“Let’s see what you wrote,” Worth said, and Aleksander dutifully handed him his device. “Well done, Your Highness.”
“I appreciate it, Your Grace, now you want to give me back my phone?”
“He’s answered.”
Aleksander’s eyebrows rose at the quick response, and he eagerly tapped the screen to bring up the message.Your Highness, I’m always happy to hear from you. I can assure you that Duke Rafferty is hale and hearty. I will request that he respond to your messages in a timely manner as Court Kestle certainly would not wish to insult High Court D’Vaire in any way. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance.
They stared at one another once Aleksander read Sullivan’s words aloud, and Worth’s mouth twisted. “I say something is off.”
“Based on?”
“I don’t know. Gut instinct, perhaps?”
Aleksander was about to respond to Worth when another notification made his phone let out the melodic sound he’d chosen for Rafferty’s messages. “It’s him.”
“Well, finally. Read it.”
