Page 122 of Consort of the Dragon King

Kitsuki drew himself up to his full height. “I will never be as cruel as that foolish miscreant. I will do anything to ensure Auslin’s happiness.”

“You may be scary as fuck, but at least you’ve got your priorities right,” Yaro approvingly said. “I guess I’ll have to bow out and gracefully concede defeat.”

“Tiah will be so glad.” Auslin gave Yaro another hug.

The dog shifter held his hand out to Kitsuki. “I’m Yaro, by the way. Nice to meet you.”

“This is my mate, King Kitsuki Ariake,” Auslin introduced him.

“Oh, shit!” Yaro gave a very sudden formal bow. “Sorry, Your Majesty. I wasn’t trying to be rude. I was just excited Auslin is back. I’m sure you can understand.”

Kitsuki’s gaze softened slightly. “I do indeed.”

“I’ll stop by later and see you both, okay? King Kitsuki has a meeting with King Lenwat soon, but we should be free sometime tomorrow.”

He wagged his finger at Auslin. “I’m holding you to that. You’re not allowed to disappear on us again.”

“I won’t.” Auslin tried not to feel too guilty. “I never meant to worry you.”

“All that matters is that you’re safe and happy now.” Yaro stepped back with a fond look at Auslin. “As long as your mate treats you right, that’s all I can ask.”

“He will,” Auslin reassured Yaro. “No one else has ever treated me better.”

“Only because you wouldn’t give me the chance,” Yaro joked with another playful wink. “I’ll see you soon, Auslin. Nice to make your acquaintance, Your Majesty.”

Once they were out of earshot, Kitsuki looked down at Auslin with an expectant expression.

“You don’t have to worry about Yaro,” Auslin reassured Kitsuki, knowing that was his number one concern. “He’s the biggest flirt I’ve ever met, but he doesn’t mean anything by it. That’s just him being friendly.”

Kitsuki made a noise of acknowledgment but remained otherwise silent.

“I’ve been good friends with him and his mate for years,” Auslin continued. “I usually would stay with them whenever I came here for visits because Tiah is the most amazing cook. Plus, it was always nice being surrounded by two people who were so openly loving.”

“His wife does not hate you?” Kitsuki asked in surprise. “But he makes such open overtures at you.”

“They have a weird relationship,” Auslin replied with a laugh as they continued walking to the castle. “He flirts with everyone because he likes her temper.”

“Why does she put up with such nonsense?”

Auslin smiled as he thought about his friends. “Because she loves him, and she knows deep down, he’s devoted only to her. The fighting is foreplay for them since she’s a secret sadist and he’s a masochist who loves that kind of attention.”

Kitsuki’s expression grew thoughtful. “You told me about them in the past.”

“Yeah, they were the ones I was worried would miss me since I was gone so long. I know their relationship is a bit weird, but it works for them, which is the important thing.”

“They have my gratitude for taking care of you during your travels,” Kitsuki said, “even if their dynamic is utterly baffling.”

Auslin chuckled at Kitsuki’s confusion. “It took me a while to understand it, but I get it now that I’ve known them both for so many years. I hope you don’t mind if we visit them later.”

“I will happily accompany you anywhere.” Kitsuki caressed his mate through their bond, sending a shiver through Auslin.

“Thank you.”

It meant a lot to Auslin since Kio had always misbehaved whenever they visited Barlatan. Auslin couldn’t wait to meet with Yaro and Tiah now that Kitsuki was a part of his life. Hisexcitement distracted Auslin from his growing nerves as they neared the castle where they would meet the king of Zinnia.

Auslin struggled to keep his nerves under control as they were led to the formal reception room at the Zinnia castle. It was Auslin’s first time acting in his official capacity as Kitsuki’s mate. He worried he might do something wrong and cause some kind of diplomatic incident. Kitsuki’s calming presence echoing through their bond helped calm Auslin, but his heart still raced as they were formally announced to Lenwat, the king of Zinnia.

When Auslin dared to look up at Lenwat, the man seemed familiar somehow. His black hair was pulled back in a series of braids. He had kindly brown eyes, as well as shimmering dark green shifter markings on his skin. He struck an imposing figure in his gold-and-emerald jacket with black breeches.

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