Page 53 of Worthy Promises
Oliver nodded slowly. “I understand.”
“I thought you said we were going to move to D’Vaire someday.”
“We are.”
“When?”
Shifting his weight from foot to foot under the surprisingly intense stare of his seven-year-old brother, Oliver shrugged. “I don’t know,” he replied. He could already envision it. Although it was far too soon, if Worthington had even hinted at the suggestion that he consider it, Oliver would be upstairs packing his bags.
“Is it because you don’t like that Worth is your mate?”
Genuinely shocked and insulted, Oliver scowled. “What? No. Of course not. Did someone at the house say that they don’t think I like Worthington?” Oliver asked, deeply hurt and saddened by the idea. The last thing he wanted was for anyone to believe he’d reject Worthington. Nothing he’d learned about the world’s lone pink dragon had disappointed Oliver. Each moment they spoke or shared drew Oliver closer to Worthington.
“No, Aleksander is happy Worth has his mate,” Orion confided. “He and Rafe are glad you’re together.”
Relieved, Oliver relaxed and the line between his brows disappeared. “It means a lot to have their approval.”
“If you like him and he likes you, why aren’t we moving to D’Vaire now?”
“Because we just met. We have to get to know each other first.”
“How long does that take? Zarasha is already my best friend. We decided last night.”
“I’m so glad you guys are getting along so well. Adults take longer to get close, I think. Or maybe it’s me. I don’t know, Orion, but we aren’t ready yet.”
“That’s disappointing,” Orion said, sounding much older than a boy of seven.
Frustrating Orion didn’t please Oliver, and neither did any distance between him and Worthington, but they’d met barely more than a week ago. Even though he was used to being cautious around people and keeping to himself, Oliver lacked any anxiety about opening himself to Worthington. Oliver had doubted Fate many times through the years, but she’d brought him a man who calmed him at some innate level he didn’t fully comprehend. It was a far different story when they were touching. His heart rate rocketed when they were skin to skin and especially when their mouths met.
“We can and will visit often,” Oliver promised.
“But I need a nanny if I have to be here by myself.”
With so many people at D’Vaire, perhaps they’d be willing to allow Orion to travel there on the occasions when Oliver couldn’t be home. Oliver made a mental note to discuss it later when he spoke to Worthington. If his mate gave him the go-ahead, he’d propose it to Orion.
“Just remember it’s not forever, okay?”
“Okay,” Orion responded forlornly as his shoulders sagged.
Recalling Worthington’s advice, Oliver bent and smiled at his brother. “If it’s okay with you, we could have a hug. Then maybe after we put our suitcases away, we could go online and see if we can find more books on dragons or the Fae.”
Orion smiled and threw himself into Oliver’s arms. “Maybe we could even get a dragon puzzle.”
“Can I help you put it together?”
Orion’s grin grew wider. “Yes. Are we getting a cat?”
“Do you still want one?”
“I get to play with Asteria, plus there are baby dragons and wolves too at D’Vaire. I don’t think I need a kitty right now.”
“Okay. Tell me if you change your mind, we can get a pet if you want one. But for now, let’s get upstairs and empty our bags.”
“Okay!” Orion exclaimed and grabbed his small wheelie bag. It banged against the stairs as he ran up them, but Oliver didn’t complain. Orion’s enthusiasm had squeezed Oliver’s heart, and he wished he’d been braver with his brother. Since they’d lost their parents, Oliver had waited for signals from Orion, but perhaps the little boy had been expecting him to offer to share more time together.
Oliver had assumed Orion had grown up cared for, but it appeared their folks hadn’t changed much from child to child. The only difference was they’d hung out in Orion’s space constantly, but they’d been just as clueless about their son’s needs.
Hoping to please Orion further, Oliver followed his brother upstairs and quietly closed his own bedroom door. With his phone in hand, he set his bag on the bed and connected with the gorgeous pink dragon he already longed to see again.
