Page 116 of Consort of the Dragon King

They remained trembling and entangled, unable to think of anything in the white haze of the afterglow. The only thing that mattered was the love humming through their bond.

“Sothat’swhat she meant by an amplifier,” Auslin said with a tired laugh. “Wow.”

“Remind me to thank my sister later,” Kitsuki murmured as he lovingly nuzzled his mate. Once his knot faded, he snuggled closer to Auslin, who wrapped his arms around the dragon king.

Being held by Auslin after spending time apart so soon after their mating soothed Kitsuki’s soul. He melted into his mate’s embrace. There was nothing else in the world Kitsuki wanted.He experienced peace in a new and beautiful way after so many centuries of endless turmoil and pain. They would eventually have to move, but Kitsuki continued luxuriating in the light caresses Auslin absentmindedly gave him.

“Who knew one little piece of metal could do so much?” Auslin held his hand up to study the band. “Hey, did your ring change?”

Kitsuki didn’t feel like moving, but he checked. Rather than the plain metal it had been, it was now marked with a shimmering replica of their entwined mating marks. “It did.”

“Fascinating.” Auslin snuggled against Kitsuki. “And just when I thought our bond couldn’t get any more amazing.”

Kitsuki chuckled. His heart had never felt so free as love echoed through their connection. Auslin had been more than worth the centuries of waiting.

Chapter 57

Auslin

Auslin hadn’t realized he had fallen asleep until he woke up to see Hibiki staring down at him. “Yes?”

Hibiki butted his head against Auslin’s hand. The mage reflexively petted the fire spirit, who burned a much brighter purple in pleasure as he curled up on Auslin’s chest to continue receiving attention.

“I’m sorry I always kept you trapped before,” Auslin apologized to him before yawning. “I didn’t realize you could be out unless something was wrong.”

“I have no complaints,” Hibiki replied.

“Did you talk?” Auslin asked in shock.

“Indeed, I did.”

Auslin could only blink in surprise. “Since when?”

Hibiki laughed. “Since always. You simply could not hear me before.”

“What changed?”

Hibiki nudged Auslin’s hand. “Your amplifier works on anyone you share a bond with. Although we are not mates, a soul bond links us together. It makes it possible for you to hear me now.”

“But why can I hear you speak with words and not Kitsuki?”

“There is a reason I cannot say yet.” Hibiki’s nonanswer frustrated Auslin.

The mage couldn’t think of any reasons why it would work differently. “Why not?”

“It is too soon.”

Auslin was about to ask another question when a more pressing one came to mind. “Wait, can you also feel my emotions?” He burned with embarrassment for subjecting Hibiki to his amorous reunion with Kitsuki’s insatiable dragon.

Hibiki laughed. “Do not fear. I am not affected by such things. Please do not trouble yourself for indulging in your mate as nature intended.”

“Now I feel even worse about keeping you trapped in this ring,” Auslin groaned.

“I truly do not mind it. The ring is my home. Being closest to you is when I am happiest.”

It helped to hear, but Auslin still felt awful for keeping a sentient creature locked away. “Promise you’ll tell me if you ever want out of the ring. Can you come out on your own? Because I’m fine with that, too.”

“Thank you for your concern.” Hibiki nuzzled against Auslin with a trill. “But I am satisfied.”

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