Page 43 of Worthy Promises
“Not only is he a beautiful pink, but he’s a gigantic dragon too,” Aleksander replied. “I can’t wait for you to see him.”
“My book says you’re the biggest dragon ever,” Orion enthused. “Could I see your dragon too?”
“Absolutely. My mate and I will both shift for you. There are some people in the backyard already in dragon form and ready to fly for you and Oliver.”
Another blur of pink and black rushed out the front door and landed against Aleksander’s back with anoof, and the High King reached a hand behind him to steady the newcomer.Oliver’s gaze widened as he took in the adorable and very-much-living stuffed animal. They resembled a teddy bear, but their ears were high and pointed.
“Are you okay, Zarasha?” Aleksander asked.
“I ran too fast,” Zarasha replied in a childlike voice with a huff. Dra’Kaedan reached out and helped the adorable girl straighten her ruffled dress. “I wanted to meet Orion.”
She locked her heavily lashed gaze on Orion and lifted a paw to wave at him. With a hesitant smile, Orion returned the gesture, then clutched his book again.
“This is our beautiful Zarasha,” Worthington explained. “She is a Faeto’faer.”
Dra’Kaedan wrapped an arm around Zarasha, and she snuggled close to him. “She loves tea parties and ruffled dresses, and her favorite color is purple.”
“I wrote you an invitation, Orion,” Zarasha said. “We could have a tea party later.”
“I’ve never been to a tea party,” Orion confided.
Zarasha gave him a cute smile. “They are a lot of fun. Will you come?”
“Yes.”
“Want me to take you to see the dragons now?” Zarasha asked with a bounce.
Orion glanced at Oliver. “Can I go with Zarasha?”
Since Oliver doubted Orion wanted to stand around and get introduced to a bunch of people when he could have fun with his new friend, he nodded. “Yes, go ahead.”
With a clap, Zarasha ran into the house, and Orion followed on her heels.
“I’m sure you have questions about our dear Zarasha, and I’m happy to tell you anything about every D’Vaire, but we’ll save long explanations for later,” Worthington said. “In short, she was born in the Fae realm fifteen thousand years ago. Thanksto a magical accident, she hasn’t aged past eight and is in her adorableto’faerform.”
Immediately wondering about the accident and how Zarasha felt about never aging or the limitations she had to experience as a stuffed animal, Oliver focused on the present and the positive. “Orion’s seven. Hopefully, they’ll have plenty in common and will enjoy playing together.”
“We’d love that,” Aleksander said. “There aren’t any other children in the house right now.”
“Now, we should probably rush through the house and get to the backyard,” Worthington remarked.
“Yeah, Worth wanted to ensure you and your brother had all the coolest dragons flying for you today,” Brogan added.
“We’re missing Orion’s reaction to seeing Their Majesties, the Reverent Knights, and our fabulous and unique Darays shifted,” Worthington complained. He reached a hand out to Oliver. “Go on, take it. I’ll lead the way through Aleksander and Rafe’s oversized house.”
With no hesitation, Oliver rested his palm against Worthington’s. It wasn’t in Oliver’s nature to be passive about what he wanted, so he went with instinct and laced their fingers. To his shock, Asteria hopped from her perch on Worthington’s shoulder and landed on the shirt Oliver had finally settled on after countless changes that morning.
Her whiskers tickled Oliver’s neck as she sniffed him, then she sat down as if she intended to stay there.
“What should I do?” Oliver asked.
“Give her a pet,” Worthington said.
Reaching up, Oliver was surprised at how incredibly soft her fur was and the rumbling sound of her purr. “Nice to meet you, Asteria.”
“If she reacts anything like the dragon familiars, you may never get her back,” Aleksander teased his brother.
“Surely Owliver wouldn’t steal my pet,” Worthington scoffed while Aleksander laughed.
