Page 147 of Consort of the Dragon King

Auslin was very conscious of Kalassandria’s gaze coldly following him as they departed. His apprehensive anxiety came back stronger than before. He waited until they were alone in their room to ask, “Why did she say Father was too fond of me?”

Kitsuki hesitated before answering. “Kio’s mother possessed certain qualities you share. Kalassandria is of the opinion Father sought a human because he had an unfulfilled desire for you.”

Auslin laughed at the ridiculous notion. “That doesn’t make sense. Father didn’t view me like that at all. I don’t think he enjoyed being with a man.”

“It is an undeniable fact Father was drawn to your kindness and acceptance,” Kitsuki said. “They were things denied to him because of his warlord nature. Kio’s mother was the only other person who ever treated Father similarly. I cannot say that I did not harbor some suspicions myself.”

“Are you seriously saying that Father fell in love with Kio’s mother because of me?” Auslin asked in shock.

Kitsuki sighed. “It was painful for me to endure at the time because I was not blind to the similarities between you both, which made my loss feel even more poignant.”

“But that’s…” Auslin tried to protest, but the words wouldn’t come as he struggled to understand what was being said.

Kitsuki smoothed the wrinkle of concern from Auslin’s brow. “Father did not have an untoward interest in you. His was entirely a paternal affection, which was not sexual. But when you disappeared, even Father felt the loss of your warmth and kindness to be hard to endure.”

“Does your cousin blame me for driving Father to be with Kio’s mother?”

“It is highly doubtful,” Kitsuki replied. “If Kalassandria truly hated or resented you, she would not welcome you into her home.”

It was a good point, but Auslin couldn’t shake Kizoshi’s warning he should avoid Kalassandria. “But what if she’s letting me stay here so she can take revenge?”

“There is no need for such paranoia.” When Auslin still seemed disturbed, Kitsuki reassured him with kisses.

Unable to move past the topic, Auslin dissuaded Kitsuki from continuing.

“Truly, you have nothing to fear from my cousin,” Kitsuki told him. “I do not understand where your apprehensions are coming from.”

“Kizoshi said I should avoid her, if at all possible,” Auslin replied with a frown.

Kitsuki sighed. “This is the one time I would encourage you to not have faith in her warning. Kizoshi has a long-biased hatred for our cousin. Keeping you from being in Kalassandria’s presence can only be a benefit to Kizoshi.”

“But when is she ever wrong?” Auslin demanded. “She’s been right about everything else.”

“If nothing else, my cousin will not do anything she fears will upset me,” Kitsuki reassured him. “That alone should set your mind at ease.”

Auslin really wanted to believe Kitsuki, but he couldn’t let go of his anxiety Kalassandria may harbor ill will toward him for things beyond his control. There was no other choice for him but to trust in Hibiki to keep him safe. He said a silent prayer to Kizoshi to appear if things moved in a dangerous direction.

Auslin was quiet as he had dinner with Kitsuki and Kalassandria. He still felt deeply unsettled by Kalassandria, despite Kitsuki’s assurances she bore him no ill will.

“I am surprised your mate is not joining us for dinner,” Kitsuki commented to his cousin.

She sighed at the question. “Naifar is away because he went to talk his foolish brother out of starting a military campaign.”

“You did not join him?”

Kalassandria laughed. “He specifically dissuaded me from joining them for fear I would talk his brother into going through with the fighting.”

“Against whom?”

Kalassandria’s gaze briefly flitted over to Auslin. “There is a faction of a human uprising against shifters that has been causing some problems on the fringes of my borders, which connect with my brother-in-law’s lands in Arenvale.”

“We had an incident with one such human on the way here,” Kitsuki said.

“I am not the least bit surprised.” Kalassandria shook her head. “They are militant and interested only in death for shifters and the humans who sympathize with them. I would be fine if mybrother-in-law killed them all, but Naifar does not share my views.”

Auslin said nothing as he focused on carefully controlling his reaction to the news. But he drew Kalassandria’s attention. She scornfully asked, “I suppose you think we should try to negotiate with the insurgents instead of fighting them?”

It wasn’t Auslin’s place to say anything, but he couldn’t hold his tongue. “In an ideal situation, that would be the preferred outcome, but when you get that many people—humans or shifters—who strongly believe in one cause, there is probably very little chance of reasoning with them.”

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