Page 148 of Consort of the Dragon King

“Those vile creatures only understand violence because that is how they think,” Kalassandria said with a look of disgust. “However, if we slaughter humans, even the bad ones, it would cause a diplomatic nightmare. Although having hate mongering humans spewing such dangerous rhetoric is unacceptable, somehow, I am in the minority opinion that their living causes far more problems than their deaths.”

Auslin said nothing in response.

Kitsuki drew his cousin’s attention away from his mate. “Have you met with any of the human leaders who stand against this rising faction?”

“I have. They fear this will permanently damage relations with shifters.”

“What caused the uprising?” Kitsuki asked. “We have not had any such problems anywhere in Valzerna.”

“Given your sympathies towards humans and having supporters like King Lenwat and King Kehnon, it is far harder for such sentiments to grow.”

“We recently visited King Kehnon in Sybir. There has been unrest amongst the shifters in his kingdom.” Kitsuki rubbed his chin with a pensive expression. “I wonder if it has any connection to these problems?”

Kalassandria made an uncertain noise. “Given their proximity to Reflorna, it is likely. This issue has been slowly pushing its way south from Kunushi.”

“Nasume is responsible for this?” Kitsuki asked.

She nodded. “Nasume continues to harbor a serious grudge against all of humankind, so it would not surprise me if he secretly supported the cause. There was a skirmish between the humans and wolf shifters about six months ago that triggered the rebellion. I am of the belief that the wolf shifters willingly sacrificed those humans to incite problems.”

It didn’t make any sense to Auslin. “But he has a half-human son. What benefit does he get in starting fighting between humans and shifters?”

“It is no secret Nasume despises his halfling son,” Kalassandria said with a shrug. “Perhaps he is hoping the fighting will get rid of his problem in a way which cannot be traced back to him.”

Auslin’s stomach dropped. Could Nasume really be trying to kill Maseo in such an underhanded manner? “How can he be so heartless about his own son?”

“Because he is disgusted by his son’s humanity.” Kalassandria gave Auslin a pointed look, which made him shrink back in his seat.

Kitsuki projected calmness through their bond as Auslin’s upset grew. To Kalassandria, Kitsuki said, “If that is truly the case, then we must act.”

“Short of marching into Kunushi with an army and wiping out both the wolf shifters and the human uprising, there is not much that can be done at the moment.”

“I hope such a drastic action will not be necessary.” Kitsuki frowned. “Knowing this involves Nasume, it may very well come to that.”

Talk slowly turned into a more benign direction as dinner continued, but Auslin remained a silent observer. He was too lost in his thoughts about everything discussed. He did his best not to project his fear to the two shifters with very sensitive senses of smell.

“Thank you for such a wonderful dinner,” Kitsuki thanked his cousin when they finished eating.

“I apologize for almost spoiling it with talk of such unpleasant matters,” Kalassandria replied with a slight incline of her head.

“I feel better for being informed about the matter,” Kitsuki reassured her. “It is no trouble.”

When Kitsuki and Auslin stood to leave, Kalassandria stopped them. “Auslin, would you stay behind with me for a moment? I wish to speak with you.”

Auslin’s heart raced at the prospect of being left alone with the woman who most likely hated him. “Sure,” Auslin agreed,although he would rather run away to the safety of his room with Kitsuki.

“I will leave you two to talk.” Kitsuki brushed against their bond to reassure Auslin everything would be fine before leaving.

Once Kitsuki had left, Kalassandria moved them to a room with a view of a beautiful pond with a small waterfall cascading into it. It was beautiful, but Auslin still felt nervous about why she wished to talk to him.

Kalassandria drew out the silence between them. As Auslin grew increasingly unsettled, she finally asked, “Why are you so nervous?”

“Because I’m pretty sure you disapprove of me.”

“For a very long time, I resented Vanra for having so much influence over Uncle Tatsuki.” It hadn’t been the point Auslin expected her to make first.

“But I never intentionally did anything,” Auslin protested. “All we did was talk occasionally.”

She frowned as she studied Auslin. “I am aware, which is what makes it even more annoying.” Her gaze hardened. “I was fine with Uncle Tatsuki claiming that bastard’s mother as a war trophy in revenge for killing my father. If he had humiliated her, I would have accepted it. Instead, he betrayed my father by falling in love with her humanity he missed in you, thus creating that bastard halfling son of his.”

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