Page 106 of Consort of the Dragon King

Auslin’s head spun from trying to keep up with everything. “Does that mean Nasume will die soon?”

“My sole regret is I am not allowed to have the privilege of ending his miserable existence.” Kizoshi pouted. “I would be more upset about it if it was anyone else who was responsible for that bastard meeting his ignominious end at long last.”

“All that matters is the person who’s supposed to have that victory will,” Liros reminded Kizoshi.

It made Auslin burn with curiosity. “Who?”

“I cannot say, but all will be as it should be,” Kizoshi promised. “It is not something to worry about now, though.”

The information disquieted Auslin. “But of course I’m going to worry about it!”

“Liros is right,” Kizoshi told him. “Everything happens for a reason. Rest easy knowing your future happiness is secure with the three of us watching out for you.”

It helped to hear, even though Auslin knew she always had his back. “Thank you. I appreciate you looking out for me.”

“As I have said before, you are clan,” Kizoshi reminded him. “We always protect our own.”

It made Auslin smile. He did his best to follow her advice by not worrying about the things he couldn’t change.

Once Liros left to attend to his duties, Kizoshi took Auslin on a tour of the city near her castle. All the buildings gleamed in the sunlight, making the Living Realm look downright dingy by comparison. In town squares, white marble fountains made of elaborate sculptures of historic Powers flowed with clear blue water. It was shocking when Auslin was used to bathing in cloudy rivers.

Auslin had never seen so many statues and art installations in a city before. Everything was on such a grand scale. It was a beautiful world befitting the Divine beings who lived there. No wonder Kizoshi chose to live there instead of in the Living Realm.

When they returned to Kizoshi’s castle to rest before dinner, they sat on the veranda to enjoy the beautiful weather.

“I’ve read so much about the Divine Realm, but it’s so much better than I imagined,” Auslin said, still in disbelief over the grandeur of everything he had seen on their walk. “I’m honestly amazed you come to the Living Realm at all.”

Kizoshi’s laughter was light. “If it were not for my dear brothers, there would be almost nothing that would make me go.”

“For what it’s worth, I’m really glad you visit.”

“I enjoy our chats too much to stay away for long.” Kizoshi’s smile filled Auslin with a warm glow.

Hibiki and Finini took off again.

“Sophina must be here,” Kizoshi said.

Auslin’s nervousness spiked at the sudden prospect of meeting the Fate Power.

Despite being half-spider shifter, Sophina was a petite woman with gossamer-white hair. It was styled with two small braids joined into one, with the rest of her long hair loose. Her dress with large bell sleeves looked like she was wearing the stars from the sky as it glittered with her every movement. Most unusual of all was how Sophina’s irises were pure black, while her eyelashes were white. It reminded him a little of Satsuma, the wise owl shifter he had visited to find out more about his rewritten fate.

Auslin held his breath when Sophina approached him. Much like Liros had, she reached up to tilt his chin to either side as she assessed him. “So you are the one who stole my Kitsuki away from me.”

“I-I’m sorry,” Auslin automatically apologized, his heart racing in fear.

The air was heavy with a pregnant pause before Kizoshi ruined it by laughing. Sophina joined her as she patted Auslin’s cheek. “Forgive me, Auslin. I should not have such fun at your expense when we have only just met.”

Auslin could only blink in response as Sophina sat on the couch next to Kizoshi. Hibiki jumped into her lap and flared an even brighter purple when she petted him in greeting. “Oh, I have missed you, my dear Hibiki. Thank you for taking such good care of him, Auslin.” She kissed the fire spirit on his forehead. “What a dear boy you are.”

With a steadying breath, Auslin took a seat. “He’s the one who takes care of me.”

It startled Auslin when a small cat made of gossamer appeared out of nowhere to pounce on Hibiki. They tumbled off Sophina’s lap as Hibiki and Finini gave chase to the cat guardian.

“Is that the cat spirit who taught Finini how to purr?” Auslin asked as he watched the three animals play together.

Sophina laughed. “Indeed. Kiribi is an old friend to Finini and Hibiki. They are all my Watchers.”

“Watchers?” Auslin had never heard the term before.

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