Page 104 of Consort of the Dragon King

“I’m surprised Finini is the same size as Hibiki, though. I thought kitsune were massive creatures.”

“Much like shifters, Finini can take either a small or large form,” she explained. “If he were to materialize into his full size, he would be bigger than a mountain.”

“That’s amazing.” Auslin was even more in awe. “But how is he old friends with Hibiki?”

“Hibiki spent almost two millennia in my care,” Kizoshi said. “As I have had Finini as long as I have been alive, they have always been together.”

“If that’s the case, then why did you give Hibiki to me?” Auslin felt terrible for separating his fire dragon spirit from his friend.

“Do not feel badly about it,” she told him in a gentle voice. “Hibiki chose to be with you as your protective guardian. Protecting you gives him a purpose in life.”

“Have I been awful in not letting him out more?” Guilt ate away at him.

“Hibiki is happiest when he is by your side. Whether he is embracing you in the ring or resting at the foot of your bed, he is content simply to be near you.”

Auslin resolved to let Hibiki out more once they returned to the Living Realm. As if summoned by thought, Hibiki raced over to them, with Finini fast on his heels. He didn’t expect Hibiki to jump onto his shoulder while Finini pounced on his lap to bat at the fire dragon’s tail before head-butting Auslin in the chest.

“Like Hibiki, you can pet Finini without being burned,” she said.

It was beyond surreal to pet a kitsune fire spirit. Finini leaned into the touch, closing his pink eyes with a noise that sounded suspiciously catlike. “Is your kitsunepurring?” Auslin asked in disbelief.

Kizoshi laughed at his reaction. “Sophina has a cat guardian, who has been friends with Finini since they were babies. For some inexplicable reason, Finini adopted purring as a habit.”

Auslin stared down at the kitsune in his lap in amazement. He scratched under its chin, making Finini rumble louder. “I can’t believe you have a purring fire kitsune spirit.”

When Finini decided he had enough, he jumped off Auslin’s lap and walked over to Kizoshi. She scooped him up like a baby and gave him belly rubs. His purr was so loud Auslin could hear it. Kizoshi laughed as she said, “Admittedly, there are days when Finini is far more cat than kitsune.”

Auslin reached up to give Hibiki a loving scritch so he didn’t feel left out. He received a nuzzle for his efforts. The mage was about to ask another question when both creatures perked up. They simultaneously scampered away.

Their sudden disappearance confused Auslin. “What happened?”

“They went to greet our first guest,” she replied.

Before Auslin could ask for details, one of the most beautiful men Auslin had ever seen walked into the courtyard. He had dark purple hair with lighter lavender streaks, which flowed freely around his handsome face. His vivid violet eyes were striking even at a distance. His indigo suit with gleaming silver accoutrements and immense aura bespoke of his high rank as a Power. Auslin couldn’t help but be drawn to the man’s friendly demeanor.

Hibiki and Finini were hot on his heels, nuzzling him when he stopped in front of Auslin. But the mage could hardly take his eyes off the man who felt so familiar, even though they had never met before.

Up close, amusement sparkled in the man’s eyes, which seemed to change shades of purple every time he blinked. It reminded Auslin of Fersen.

“It looks like you’ve brought us an interesting playmate, Kizoshi,” he said in a mellifluous voice. He tilted Auslin’s chin up for a better look, which sent shivers down Auslin’s spine despite his loyalty to Kitsuki. “The famous Auslin hasfinallyappeared in the Divine Realm. I’ve been waiting for this day for what feels like forever.”

The warmth of the man’s aura felt startlingly familiar, considering it was the first time they had ever met. Being in his presence gave him the same feeling of comfort that reading books by Liros at the temple did. “You’reLiros?”

“At your service.” He gave a flourishing bow.

Auslin was so dazed by the man that words escaped him without thought. “My brother issogoing to kill me for meeting you when he can’t.”

Liros laughed in delight. “You can make Sephen feel better by telling him my path is fated to cross with his someday in the not-too-distant future.” He took a seat across from Auslin. “It’s a day I’mverymuch looking forward to.”

Auslin brimmed with curiosity. “You’re really going to come to the Living Realm to meet him?”

“Not just him.” Finini jumped onto Liros’s shoulder while Hibiki curled up in his lap. A cute owl materialized on his other shoulder, which looked like it was made from a cloud. “His mate also greatly interests me.”

It wasn’t hard to guess why. “Because he’s Reskin?”

“Indeed.”

Sephen would probably get mad at Auslin for saying it, but the mage’s curiosity burned too brightly. “My brother has a theory Reskin holds a special place in your heart because you’ve gifted him with so much knowledge.”

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