Page 112 of Consort of the Dragon King

She walked away to take care of another customer. Maseo couldn’t help but be awed by her sweetness. She was the closest thing to a normal friend Maseo had. It still puzzled him how she had taken him under her wing so easily. He reached up to where his mother’s pendant used to be, instinctively wanting to hold it while he made a wish for Elzbieta’s happiness.

It hurt to be parted from the sentimental necklace, but Maseo didn’t regret sending it to Kitsuki. He was endlessly curious about how the dragon king reacted to his proof. The one thing he knew with absolute certainty was Kitsuki would honorably protect it until they reunited, no matter how many years it took.

Maseo was so lost in thought it startled him when someone slid beside him in the booth he was occupying. He was a burly bear shifter, whose physical presence dwarfed Maseo. The man had an amiable expression, but everything in Maseo screamed the stranger was dangerous. He flinched when the bear shifter slung his thick arm over Maseo’s shoulders. The stench of too much alcohol rolled off him, making Maseo nauseous.

“You look like we’re going to have a good time tonight, handsome,” the man said as he guided Maseo closer to him. “My name’s Junbe. What’s yours?”

Instincts warned Maseo not to use his full name. “Seo.”

Junbe nodded, as if his name confirmed something for the man. “I can tell you’re my kind of people, Seo.”

The last thing Maseo wanted to do was engage, but he didn’t want to anger the bear shifter into turning abusive. “How?”

“You’re from Kunushi, right?” Maseo tensed at the question, but Junbe didn’t seem to notice. The bear shifter took several swigs of his ale he had brought over with him. “You look like all the wolf shifters from up there. I should know since I serve in their king’s army.”

Maseo struggled not to panic. The only thing holding it at bay was Kitsuki’s magic hadn’t activated to save him. It meant there was no danger yet. He tried to keep his tone conversational. “If you’re from there, what are you doing all the way out in Alsari?”

“I had some leave time I wanted to use before things kick off.” The man took another drink. “Then shit’s gonna get real fun.”

Dread spread through Maseo. “Before what kicks off?”

“Our king will bring great glory to Kunushi by defeating our enemies,” Junbe boasted. “I’ll be a hero for killing as many of those Valzerna bastards as I can. And I’m a strong warrior, so they’re extra fucked.” His boisterous laugh made Maseo jump.

Suddenly, Maseo desperately needed to keep the chatty man talking. “I’ve been away from Kunushi for a long time. What did Valzerna do to piss off King Nasume?”

“King Nasume generously offered to elevate their kingdom by mating the Ice King, but that asshole declared war by throwing King Nasume out of the castle and banishing him from ever stepping foot in Valzerna.” Junbe snorted. “I almost feel bad for the people of Valzerna for having such a fucking moron for a ruler.”

Kitsuki was one of the most levelheaded monarchs in Talwyn, who had been putting up with Nasume’s shit for over a millennium. What could Maseo’s father have done that was bad enough for Kitsuki to banish him for good? Maseo could well imagine since his father had never met a boundary he didn’t gleefully cross. Upsetting Kitsuki was just one more reason for Maseo to hate his father.

To Maseo’s shock, Kitsuki’s magic tightened its hold on him. It whispered,“Protect.” He blinked in shock. Was Nasume’s last visit to Valzerna what caused Kitsuki to send him the ring? Maseo couldn’t figure out how he figured into any part of a fight between the two kings, but the magic’s tight hold on him sure felt like Kitsuki wanted to keep him safe.

“Yeah,” Maseo half-heartedly agreed, hoping the bear shifter was too drunk to notice the lie.

“I bet King Nasume will award me a medal of valor for my efforts,” Junbe bragged.

Maseo struggled with how to respond. “You certainly seem like you’d be a good fighter.”

“I’m the fuckingbest.” The man chugged more of his ale. “It’s why they’ve entrustedmeto kill the Ice King’s mate. And I’m going to make that asshole suffer for our glory.” He puffed up his chest with pride.

Maseo’s blood ran cold. Why hadn’t he realized sooner that Auslin mating Kitsuki would put the mage at risk? The thought of his father killing either of them made it hard to breathe. Even if it put Maseo at risk, he had to warn them about the danger they were in from the war Nasume intended to start. He had to do whatever was necessary to stop his father from having his way.

“Aww, what’s wrong?” Junbe asked as he squeezed Maseo in a painful, one-armed hug. “King Kitsuki and his shitty mate will be dead, so Kunushi will be the most powerful kingdom in Talwyn by the time we’re done with the carnage. Why does the thought of our king’s victory upset you?”

Maseo knew he had to choose his answer carefully. “I don’t like it when people get hurt.”

“Funny, I wouldn’t have pegged you as squeamish.” Junbe buried his nose against Maseo’s neck and took a deep breath. “Fuck, Ilovewolf shifters. You smell like you need me to fuck you.”

“Thanks, but I’m not looking for anyone right now, so?—”

“Don’t worry, pup. I’ll takerealgood care of you.” He licked up the curve of Maseo’s neck with a moan. “I’ll show you what a real Kunushi man can do for you. I’m going to fuck you until?—”

Elzbieta cleared her throat, making Maseo jump. He silently stared at her with wide eyes to beg her for help.

“Great, bring me another ale,” Junbe demanded, slurring his words a little.

“I’ll be happy to do that, right after I deal withhim.” She pointed at Maseo with a fearsome expression he instinctively shrank back from. It was such a shocking contrast to the sweetness she normally treated him with. “You’re coming with me, mister.”

“Sorry, but I’ve already laid claim to him tonight, lady,” Junbe said with a threatening growl. “Get your own man.”

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