Page 152 of Consort of the Dragon King

Naifar shrugged. “All the necromancers were supposedly killed during the war, but if anyone could have outwitted death, it would have been Ishibiya.”

“But it has been over two millennia since the war. Why would someone as evil as Ishibiya lie low for so long only to resurface now?” Kalassandria asked. “He surely must be dead.”

Naifar shrugged. “I am merely recounting the rumors our scouts picked up during their investigation. Whether they’re true is unknown. But if they are, Ishibiya is hiding somewhere in the mountains to the west of Kalindi in northern Kunushi. If he raised an army of the dead through necromancy for Nasume, it would be disastrous for us all.”

“Then we must stop Nasume before that can happen,” Kitsuki said.

“Does that mean you are willing to take up arms against the movement?” Naifar asked.

“I will do whatever it takes to shut down Nasume’s evil intentions, even if I have to invade Kunushi to conquer his lands myself.” Kitsuki’s resolute determination echoed through their mating bond. “It would be a blessing to rid us of Nasume and his problems once and for all. Eliminating the threat of Ishibiya would be a bonus.”

Things sounded like they were moving dangerously close toward all-out war. Auslin’s fear spiked when he remembered Kizoshi’s warnings that there would be a time when Kitsuki would be drawn into one. He never imagined it would be so soon. It was hard to suppress his panic. “But that would mean war!”

“The alternative of inaction is too dangerous with someone like Nasume,” Kitsuki firmly stated. “It would be better to be on the offensive in this situation rather than be on the defensive.”

“You would have our full support,” Kalassandria offered. “Our combined armies should be enough to crush Nasume and his allies.”

Kitsuki thanked his cousin before returning his attention to Naifar once more. “Do you have any sense of a time frame of Nasume’s plans?”

“Nasume is months away from being able to attack with his army, but his support of the warring factions will cause plenty of damage in the interim,” Naifar replied. His expression was grim.

“I can rally our allies in Arenvale and Morven to take out the factions while Kitsuki readies to attack Nasume directly. If anyone deserves to take Nasume out, it is you, dear cousin.”

“I must talk to Kisano and Kizoshi before committing to that course of action, but I agree it sounds like our best option of attack,” Kitsuki replied.

Things were heading in a dangerous direction. Auslin could barely clamp down on his rising panic and fear about what the future would bring. He desperately wanted Kizoshi to show up and put a stop to such talk.

Chapter 76

Kizoshi

Although Kizoshi hated Kalassandria, the events unfolding were too important to allow her personal feelings to interfere. She entered the dining hall, wearing a black dress that shimmered with gold threading. “That is indeed your best course of action.”

Kalassandria narrowed her eyes. “What areyoudoing here uninvited?”

“You are discussing starting a war, and you question why the War Power is here?” Kizoshi scoffed. “Come now. Try not to be so foolish.”

Kalassandria bristled with irritation. “I would be more irritated by your arrival, except it means I will surely be allowed to wipe out the insurgents.”

“Yes, there will be a war with Nasume,” Kizoshi confirmed.

The scent of Auslin’s anguish filled the room. “Is there really no avoiding it?”

“It is inevitable,” Kizoshi said as gently as she could.

“But there has to be something that we can do!” Auslin protested.

“Fight,” Kizoshi replied. “You can fight and defeat this bastard once and for all.”

“Happily.” Kalassandria’s green eyes brightened at the promise of imminent bloodshed.

“Do not neglect to gather human allies,” Kizoshi warned her cousin. “While I know you find them odious, they are critical in ensuring peace between humans and shifters once the fighting is over.”

“Should I succeed in taking over Kunushi, I cannot rule it and Valzerna alone,” Kitsuki said. “It would be unwise to stretch myself too thin in the aftermath of such a sensitive time.”

“That is why you will install Kisano as the king,” Kizoshi told him.

Kitsuki shook his head. “Our brother would never agree to such a thing.”

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