Page 14 of Consort of the Dragon King

“You even restored my healing and magic abilities to it.”

“Seriously?” Auslin questioned in shock. Kitsuki demonstrated by summoning his dragon fire in his new hand, making the human’s jaw drop. “That’s amazing! I wonder if I can do that for Uncle Jaega now that I know how to reconnect someone’s power?”

“If anyone could do it, it would be you.”

Auslin traced the path of Kitsuki’s shifter markings. “I wonder why they’re so much brighter now?”

“When Mitsuki severed my arm, he also removed part of my magic abilities,” Kitsuki explained. “That caused my markings to grow darker since it weakened me. Now that you restored my arm and powers, the lines glow brighter than ever, thanks to you.”

Auslin’s gaze roved over Kitsuki’s body. The dragon shifter arched an eyebrow when he smelled the subtle tease of Auslin’s arousal from looking at him. It made him feel good that Auslin still desired him as Kitsuki and not just as Kitaro.

“I’m so glad,” Auslin shyly said.

“You are truly unbelievable.” Kitsuki leaned down to kiss him.

Auslin wrapped his arms around Kitsuki’s neck once more. He breathed Kitsuki’s name in between kisses, shivering with want when the dragon shifter trailed his claws against his skin. It came as a disappointment when Auslin stopped Kizuki with an apology. “Sorry, I’m a little dizzy. I need a minute.”

“You expended a great deal of power. Hibiki did what he could, but you may still feel weak,” Kitsuki explained, guiding Auslin back down onto the bed. “You have been out for the better part of two days.”

“Two days!” Auslin exclaimed in disbelief. “But I told my brother I would be back when?—”

Kitsuki soothed Auslin with a gentle touch. “Be at ease. I sent word to Sephen you were safe here and would visit him as soon as you felt up to it.”

The panic disappeared from Auslin. “I appreciate you doing that. I didn’t want him to think I had vanished again or that he had imagined my return.”

“It was no trouble.”

Auslin groaned. “Ugh, Kio is going to be so mad at me now.”

“It is of no consequence.”

The human closed his eyes with a sigh. “I don’t want to see him ever again.”

“Unfortunately, he will give you little choice in the matter.”

Sorrow emanated from Auslin. “You must think I’m the worst.”

“Why would I think that?”

“Because now I finally understand why youreallyhated seeing me with Kio,” Auslin said with a sigh.

“I do not hold it against you.”

Auslin couldn’t bring himself to look at Kitsuki. “You should. How could you stand to be with me knowing I was once with him?”

Kitsuki didn’t like the direction the conversation was heading, so he tried to stop it in its tracks. “You are my everything, Auslin. There is nothing you can do that is not already forgiven.”

“How can you say that?” Auslin looked up at Kitsuki in anguish, reeking with guilt.

“Because I love you,” Kitsuki replied with a small smile, “and because it is true.”

“If I had known, I would never have?—”

Kitsuki gently interrupted him. “As repugnant as I find Kio, if you had not been unhappy with him, you never would have had a reason to go through Fate’s Gate to meet me in the past. For that alone, if nothing else, it is easily forgiven.”

Auslin reached up to stroke Kitsuki’s cheek. “You know I would never go back to him, right? You understand I never want to be with anyone else but you, don’t you?”

“Ah.” Kitsuki kissed Auslin to reassure them both. “You are still my intended. I do not plan to give you up to anyone.”

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