Book Title: Worthy Promises (D’Vaire, Book 41)
Author and Publisher: Jessamyn Kingley
Cover Artist: LJ Anderson of Mayhem Cover Creations
Release Date: April 4, 2024
Genres: MM Fantasy/Paranormal Romance
Tropes: Fated mates
Themes: Love
Heat Rating: 3 flames
Length: 98 800 words
It is not a standalone story but does not end on a cliffhanger.
Two men plagued by loneliness soon learn that finding love was definitely worth the wait.
Blurb
Duke Argent Worthington D’Vairedraconis knows loneliness. For a century, his father confined him in a rambling old home. Decades have passed since he left his father’s court, and Worth has blossomed under the D’Vaire roof. But scars remain. Worth abhors the quiet and hates being alone. Although he once questioned Fate’s methods, he now yearns wholeheartedly for the other half of his soul.
At nineteen, Oliver Toivonen is handed the reins of his father’s fortune—or lack thereof. His parents are obsessed with wealth, prestige, and making the right social connections. They blame Oliver, not their lavish spending, when he must sell off the estate. Over a century and a half later, his folks are killed in a car accident and Oliver is left to raise the seven-year-old brother he barely knows.
In an expansive garden in the middle of Las Vegas, Worth and Oliver meet. Sparks fly immediately, and their beasts are ready to pursue each other relentlessly. Oliver must be pragmatic for his brother’s sake. But he is unwilling to ignore his heart. As Worth and Oliver negotiate their future, Fate tosses a few surprises at the D’Vaires. Oliver and Worth must make sure nothing gets in their way.
Excerpt
Already wondering how long he’d have to stay at the party, Worth went to the bar and grabbed a flute. Champagne wasn’t his favorite drink, but this was a celebration of Dérive and its loyal customers so he went with the party vibe. His lips had barely touched the glass when a strange frisson danced along his spine. Worth’s cock hardened in his expertly tailored trousers, and his eyes widened as the scent of fresh sage tickled his senses.
With his dragon roaring with triumph in his head, Worth scanned the crowd and found no one drawing his attention. Was Fate fucking with him? Those signs should have meant his mate was somewhere, but where?
Someone tapped Worth’s shoulder, and he immediately turned around. An arm’s length away stood a blond a couple of inches shorter than Worth. Unlike Worth’s hair, which brushed his shoulders, the shifter’s shiny platinum tresses were clipped short and styled conservatively. Long brown lashes did nothing to disguise the bright yellow of his gaze, and Worth unconsciously returned his sexy smile.
For a split second, Worth was nearly brought to tears. The stranger was dressed in a black tuxedo. His tie was striped with white and salmon pink—the color of Worth’s dragon, which Worth had once hated for being different.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” his mate said in a deep, rumbly voice that did nothing to lessen the strain on Worth’s boxers.
Worth tossed back the entire glass of champagne, more to gain a few seconds to calm his racing heart than because he had any desire to enjoy his drink. For a moment, he struggled to find the normal glibness of his tongue. But he took a deep breath and plastered a smirk on his face. “As I’m clearly wearing a crown, I appreciate your desire to immediately drop any formal pretense.”
One blondish-brown eyebrow rose. “Do you require an apology, Your Grace?”
“Not hardly,” Worth scoffed. “This is no ordinary meeting.”
“No, Worthington, it’s not. I hate to burst your aristocratic bubble, but titles don’t impress me.”
Since Worth had dealt with a father undeserving of being a king, he could appreciate his mate’s attitude and took an immediate liking to the handsome man. He and his dragon wanted to know everything about him.
“Very wise, but I’m at quite the disadvantage here. You clearly know who I am, but you have yet to bother telling me your name.”
“Oliver. Oliver Toivonen.”
“I’m not familiar with your beast, what animal did Fate grace you with?”
“I’m a snowy owl.”
Worth burst into laughter, and his dragon roared with approval as fresh sage continued to tickle their senses. “My entire life makes sense now. I’ve been inexplicably enamored of owls for years.”
“My favorite color is pink.”
“It just occurred to me you’re an owl named Oliver. Owliver.”
Oliver’s sexy mouth flattened in a line. “Like I’ve never heard that joke before.”
“Hmm, unoriginal as it may be, I’m still going to call you Owliver. It suits you,” Worth told him with a sly smile.
“I’d like to find out if you suit me.”
“I appreciate your candor,” Worth replied, his grin growing. His nerves didn’t have a chance against the overwhelming feelings of awe and appreciation that he’d finally found his other half.
“Well, I’m already wondering how long it’s going to be until I can appreciate the body you're hiding under that suit.”
Worth chuckled. His imagination was also trying its best to peel Oliver out of his tuxedo, but Worth hardly wanted to stand around with his dick tenting his trousers for however long he was blessed with Oliver’s company. “I need another drink, Owliver. Care to join me for one?”
“Does the CFO of Dérive have time to babysit one customer?”
“Since that customer is my mate, I’ve all the time in the world for you.”
“Then I’d love to share a drink with you.”
Returning Oliver’s smile, Worth couldn’t imagine a better meeting. He quietly thanked Fate for the extraordinarily attractive man in front of him. “I’ve already stood in line once to get a glass of champagne. Be a gentleman and go get two for us.”
“You’re lucky I am a gentleman. Go find a spot in the garden for us to talk. Maybe the benches near the pink roses.”
Worth gave him a courtly bow. “As you wish, Owliver.”
About the Author
Jessamyn Kingley has published over thirty titles and refuses to pick a favorite among them. With an extraordinary passion for her characters, she enthusiastically adds tales to her D’Vaire series and avidly re-reads them whenever her schedule allows. After decades living in the Washington, DC area, she now resides in Nevada with her husband and their three spoiled cats. When she is not writing or adding new ideas to her beloved notebooks, she is gaming with family and friends.
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