Page 143 of Consort of the Dragon King

“My magic activated to protect Maseo again.”

Auslin’s heart hammered in fear. “From who?”

“I cannot tell.” Kitsuki’s gaze remained distant. “Whoever it is, they are trying to crush my barrier, but I am stronger than his attacker.”

“Do you think it’s one of Nasume’s men?” Auslin’s stomach dropped as he realized it might be his fault Maseo was in danger. “Or Eldin?”

Kitsuki shook his head. “I can only feel magic is being used against him, not what kind.”

Auslin was about to ask another question when Hibiki yelled, “Attack!”

Auslin raised a barrier in time to dissolve an arrow fired at them.

A human hunter approached. He called out to Auslin, “Back away from the dragon shifter, son. My name’s Urio. I’ll protect you.”

“There’s no need for concern,” Auslin reassured him. “He’s not an enemy.”

Urio narrowed his eyes. “Clearly, that dragon shifter has bewitched you with his magic, but I’ll save you!” He fired another arrow, which Auslin dissolved.

“He has done no such thing. I would appreciate if you would stop attacking me and my mate when we’ve done nothing to deserve it.”

“Mate?” Urio repeated with a sneer. “Oh, so you’re one ofthem.”

“Them?” Auslin asked in confusion.

“Yes, one of those disgusting, sympathizing humans who are part of the problem with shifters corrupting our society,” Urio answered with an ugly sneer. “Fine, I’ll just kill you both, then.”

Kitsuki joined the argument. “I will not allow harm to come to my mate because of your misguided hate. Leave us in peace, or face the consequences.” When Urio’s answer was to rush at them in attack, Kitsuki used his magic to restrain the man. “I will not say it again.”

Urio spit in Kitsuki’s direction. “Of course, you have no problem killing me like the beast you are.”

Kitsuki’s dragon rose to the surface. “We can do a lot more than kill you. We can torture you and make you beg for the relief of death.”

“No, you can’t!” Auslin exclaimed in horror.

“I don’t want your pity, you shifter-loving filth!” Urio defiantly stared down Kitsuki’s dragon with anger. “Go ahead. Show your mate what a cruel savage you really are.”

“The only one being cruel is you!” Auslin feared what would happen if Urio didn’t back down. “Why can’t you leave us alone? We’ve done nothing to you!”

“People like you are more barbarian than human,” Kitsuki’s dragon snarled. “We would be doing the Realm a favor by riding it of your foul presence.”

“Kitsuki!” Auslin called out in harsh reprimand.

The dragon ignored his mate, his attention fully on Urio. “What do you intend to do once you’re free?”

Urio answered without hesitation. “Kill you both.”

Kitsuki’s dragon drew his sword. In the blink of an eye, he pressed it against the hunter’s neck in a silent threat. “We will kill you painfully for making such threats toward our mate.”

“Stop it!” Auslin yelled at his mate’s dragon.

The dragon shifter sheathed his sword. “Your blood is not worthy of being spilled by our sword.” He used his magic to send Urio flying back into a tree. Kitsuki’s dragon watched with cold eyes as Urio struggled to his feet.

Undeterred, Urio drew a dagger, then rushed in Auslin’s direction.

Auslin readied himself for the attack but was startled when Urio suddenly dropped dead in front of him. He looked over at Kitsuki’s dragon in time to see him lowering his hand. Auslin’s temper flared. “Why did you kill him after I begged you not to?”

Kitsuki stepped over Urio’s dead body to stand in front of Auslin. His dragon stared down at his mate. A ripple of anger passed through their bond when Auslin took a step back from him.

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