Page 123 of Consort of the Dragon King

Auslin remembered his manners. He gave a formal bow. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty.”

Lenwat rose from his throne, approaching Auslin in disbelief. “How is this possible?” His shock grew with every step closer to Auslin that he took. “Surely, this must be a dream because surely there is no way that Vanra is standing before me in this era.”

That’s when Auslin remembered the dog shifter he had helped escape from a trap in the past. “Are you Misuta? The one I healed after we freed you from that awful trap?”

Lenwat took a step back as he stared at Auslin in utter disbelief. “How could you know such a thing? You were human then, and yet now…”

“It’s a long story,” Auslin sheepishly told him. “I had no idea you became the king of Zinnia!”

“But you were human,” Misuta repeated as he tried to understand. “There is no way for Vanra to be standing before me right now, but here you are.”

“Auslin is indeed the same Vanra that you met in the past,” Kitsuki confirmed. “I was traveling with him at the time when I was a prince known as Kitaro. I recall the incident well.”

Lenwat stared at Auslin in wonder. “It seems you are even more amazing than I had previously thought.” He shook his head in disbelief. “I have never forgotten your kindness from back then. It has guided my actions to foster better relationships between shifters and humans in Zinnia once I became the king of these lands.”

“Everyone has always been so accepting of me during my travels here over the years,” Auslin said. “I can’t believe it was inspired by what happened all those years ago.”

“I still owe you a great debt from that time,” Lenwat said.

Auslin shook his head. “Fostering such goodwill between humans and shifters is more than enough.”

“I respectfully disagree. Not only did you heal my physical injuries, but you healed me of my ignorance as well. I do not know how I can ever repay you for those gifts, but I will do anything in my power.”

Lenwat’s sincerity touched Auslin. “In that case, should I ever require it, I promise I will ask you for that favor.”

The dog shifter turned his attention to Auslin’s mate. “King Kitsuki, I believe we have much to discuss about strengthening our alliances.”

“It would bring me great pleasure to do so,” Kitsuki confirmed with a bow of his head.

“Then perhaps you both would do me the honor of joining me for dinner tonight so we may get better acquainted with each other,” Lenwat requested. “I would love if you would tell me your fantastical story. It would be my privilege to offer you a place to stay tonight.”

“We would be happy to accept,” Kitsuki agreed on behalf of himself and Auslin. “Your generous hospitality is most appreciated.”

Lenwat smiled at them. “It is the least I can do given the great kindness you both have shown me in the past. However, I am sure you both are tired from your travels. I will have you shown to your rooms to rest before dinner.”

“Thank you,” Auslin said. It amazed him Lenwat was the same dog shifter he had helped six hundred years ago in the past.

“It is my great pleasure.” Lenwat gestured for his servants to show the two to their quarters for the night.

Chapter 59

Kitsuki

After a fascinating and delicious dinner with Lenwat, Auslin and Kitsuki once again returned to their room at the castle.

“I still can’t believe King Lenwat is the same Misuta that we met all those centuries ago in the woods,” Auslin said.

Kitsuki also found it incredible. Sometimes it was funny how fate worked out with things like that. “I never imagined such a small moment of kindness would have such far-reaching effects. Had I known this was how it would work out, I would not have been as apprehensive about the consequences of you fearlessly approaching a wounded dog shifter.”

“No wonder the dog shifters in this town were always so nice to me,” Auslin realized. “They’ve all heard the legend of the kind mage who helped King Lenwat in the past and saw me as an echo of that. I never would have imagined it was actually me.”

“You are truly amazing.” Kitsuki indulged in a tender kiss with him.

Auslin gently stopped him. “We’re in a castle full of dog shifters whose sense of smell is even stronger than dragon shifters. We can’t?—”

“This room is warded with a barrier to ensure our privacy, the same as at our home. It would be foolish not to take advantage of it.” When Auslin continued to hesitate, Kitsuki tried a different tactic. “Let me show you what I really wished we could have done together in the forest back then.”

“How is it any different from what we do now?” Auslin retorted with a laugh.

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