Page 146 of Consort of the Dragon King

Kitsuki surrendered control to his dragon to defend himself. “We do not harm those who do not deserve it.”

“Why do you get to decide who deserves to be punished?” Auslin angrily demanded.

“We only judge those who try to hurt you,” Kitsuki’s dragon told him. “We never kill arbitrarily.”

Auslin gave the dragon a pleading look. “But I asked you not to!”

Kitsuki’s dragon stroked Auslin’s cheek. “We wished we could have obeyed, but the threat of danger made that impossible. Will you forgive us?” He looked genuinely apprehensive about being denied forgiveness.

It surprised Auslin to see the absence of his normal confidence. Auslin stepped back to take a breath as he sorted his thoughts. He needed to stop reacting purely on his emotions heightened by what happened. Everything Kitsuki had said was true, much as Auslin hated it. He was trying to hold Kitsuki’s dragon to a human standard, which was unfair.

“I understand and appreciate your need to protect me,” Auslin softly told Kitsuki’s dragon after taking a few calming breaths. “But in the future, I need you to find any other way than killing someone, if possible.”

“We will do our best to refrain from lethal methods,” Kitsuki’s dragon conceded before adding the caveat, “but if it comes down to it, we will kill again if it means you stay safe.”

Auslin continued to struggle with the issue. He couldn’t help but feel like a hypocrite now that he had calmed down some. He had purified plenty of shifters to the Beyond Realm, so it wasn’t as if he was completely innocent when it came to ending someone’s life.

The longer Auslin remained silent, the more uncomfortable Kitsuki’s dragon became. “Are we not forgiven?”

Kitsuki’s dragon looked genuinely upset he might have done something that was beyond forgiveness. It made Auslin realize how important his approval was. “I forgive you,” Auslin said with a sigh before adding, “but you need to understand you really hurt me with what you did.”

The dragon shifter gathered Auslin into a tight embrace. He nuzzled his mate as he apologized. “We never wished to upset you. All we want is your happiness.”

Auslin remained silent, but he returned the hug.

“You are our everything,” Kitsuki’s dragon whispered.

“Ah,” Auslin softly agreed as he continued holding Kitsuki’s unsettled dragon. “What happened to Maseo?” In the commotion, Auslin had almost forgotten Maseo was under attack when Urio confronted them.

Kitsuki’s dragon retreated. “Whoever attacked him could not break my protective barrier, so Maseo escaped unharmed.”

It was a relief to hear Maseo was safe from harm. Auslin could only hope whoever had tried to harm Maseo didn’t have a second chance at it.

Chapter 73

Auslin

Having come to an understanding, the rest of Auslin and Kitsuki’s journey was uneventful until they arrived in Mizujil. Auslin had concerns about meeting Kalassandria again, but he smothered his worries since Kitsuki seemed to believe they were meritless.

When Kalassandria entered the sitting room, she warmly greeted Kitsuki. “Cousin, I am so glad you have journeyed out here after so long.” She gave him a tight, lingering embrace. “Welcome, Auslin.”

“I have been remiss in not visiting sooner,” Kitsuki apologized. “It is difficult to get away for long periods of time when you are a ruler, as you well know.”

“That I do.” She gave him a kind smile, which was completely at odds with Auslin’s memories of her icy hardness at the banquet after their mating ceremony. “Your room is ready. You are free to stay as long as you desire.”

“Thank you for your hospitality, Your Majesty,” Auslin thanked her with a respectful bow.

Kalassandria carefully studied him. “I almost regret that Uncle Tatsuki is not alive to be astounded at Vanra’s miraculous return.” It surprised him Kalassandria knew he was the Vanra of the past.

“Given that Father always promised me I would be reunited, I fear it would not have come as much of a surprise to him,” Kitsuki said to her with a chuckle. “I am confident he would have happily welcomed Auslin’s return and subjected us to quite an epic I-told-you-so.”

“I wish I could have seen him one last time to thank him for everything,” Auslin said with a genuine pang of sadness. “I miss our talks.”

“He certainly adored you,” Kalassandria stated with a hard edge in her voice as she added, “perhaps a bit too much.”

She ignored the silent questions in Auslin’s eyes. “You must be tired after your long journey. Please rest before we have dinner this evening.”

“I am looking forward to catching up with you,” Kitsuki told her with a smile before they left.

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