Page 128 of Consort of the Dragon King

“I won’t,” Auslin promised. “I’ll come back to stay with you next time, and we can make up for lost time.”

She patted Auslin’s cheek fondly when she stepped back. “I’d like nothing more.”

“Try not to kill Yaro in the meantime,” Auslin teased, making her grin.

“You know I don’t like to make promises I can’t keep,” Tiah retorted, making Yaro howl with laughter. She once again focused on Kitsuki. “You better be good to him.”

“I have dedicated my life to his happiness and loving him,” Kitsuki stated, making Auslin blush. “He will want for nothing for the rest of his life.”

Kitsuki hadn’t expected Tiah to hug him. “Thank you for loving him the way he deserves.”

“It is my pleasure and honor,” Kitsuki replied.

“I’m so happy you finally found love, Auslin.” Tiah hugged him a final time. “Thanks for coming back. We truly missed you.”

“Do I get to hug him goodbye, or will you hand me my ass for it?” Yaro teasingly asked his wife.

“Fine, you getonehug,” Tiah conceded. “But if you grope him, you die.”

“It wouldsobe worth it, though,” Yaro playfully moaned as he embraced Auslin as tightly as he could. “You can’t leave us alone that long ever again.”

Auslin hugged him back. “I promise I won’t.”

When one of Yaro’s hands wandered down Auslin’s back, Tiah tore him away. “What did I say?”

“Hey, you can’t blame a man for trying,” Yaro joked with a wink at Kitsuki. “We’ll see you around, Auslin. Take good care of him, Your Majesty. My wife’s wrath is not something every man can endure.”

Nodding in acknowledgment, they said their last goodbyes before Auslin and Kitsuki walked away, leaving the dog shifters bickering behind them. When they were out of earshot, Auslin said, “I appreciate you not getting upset about them.”

“I have never seen two people so clearly in love who are that abrasive toward each other.” Kitsuki could only shake his head. “I do not understand their dynamic at all.”

“Like I said, the roughhousing and fighting is foreplay for them. Trust me, they’re already arguing naked.”

“It is a mystery to me how Tiah is so protective and loving of you, given her husband’s amorous attention for you.” The contradiction baffled Kitsuki.

Auslin laughed. “It’s because we all know he’s never serious. I was so scared of her when we first met because she went off on me for healing Yaro, but now she’s possibly the person who is most protective of me other than you.”

“She is indeed a fearsome shifter,” Kitsuki admitted with a chuckle. “I have to admire her gumption to threaten the likes of me.”

“Kio never wanted to go to Zinnia because he was terrified of her,” Auslin said with a smile that quickly slid into sadness. “She used to beg me every visit to get rid of him.”

“Then I shall do my best to not give her a reason to seek retribution.”

Auslin hugged Kitsuki’s arm as they walked. “Thank you.”

Kitsuki brushed against Auslin through their bond. “My only wish in this life is to be allowed to love you.”

Auslin stopped walking long enough to go up on tiptoes to kiss Kitsuki. “I feel the same way.”

Many dog shifters who wanted to talk to Auslin stopped them several more times on their way out of the town. It took more time than Kitsuki would have liked to leave, but seeing the outpouring of love for his mate moved his heart. Odatam could wait a little longer.

Chapter 62

Maseo

There was something deeply unnerving about being at the Fate’s Gate Temple. Maseo felt incredibly out of place as he fidgeted in front of the doors, trying to find the courage to open them.

“Hello there,” a voice said from behind Maseo. “Can I help you?”

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