Page 16 of Consort of the Dragon King

“What the fuck do you care what I call him? He’s a piece of shit. I’m better off without him.”

“If anyone’s better off, it’s him. I hope he’s found happiness with someone who actually loves him.” Auslin sincerely meant it. He wanted Maseo to have someone love him the same way as Kitsuki. “He deserves better than your abuse.”

“Abuse? Yeah, okay,” Kio scoffed. “The fact that you care shows you still love me.”

“I care more about Maseo than I do you,” Auslin shot back. It was strange realizing that was the truth.

Kio narrowed his eyes. “What the fuck does that mean?”

“Unlike you, Maseo has a heart—one you keep breaking. And I don’t want any further part in that. He deserves better, and so do I.”

“Are you sucking his dick, too?”

Kitsuki’s hand tightened on his sword hilt. “I would advise you to cease such foul accusations before I end your life.”

Auslin tried to get the conversation back on track. “What other reason would you have to be in Kunushi if you weren’t chasing after Maseo?”

“Don’t get it wrong. He’s the one on his knees forme.” Kio scoffed as if it was a ridiculous notion. “I risked going up there, even though his old man hates me. That should prove to you how serious I am.”

“Perhaps I should introduce myself to Maseo’s father since we seem to be of the same opinion about your worthlessness,” Kitsuki said in an ice-cold tone of voice.

“Introduce yourself to him?” Kio repeated with a bitter laugh. “That fucker has been chasing after you forcenturies, and you want to introduce yourself to him?”

Kio’s words formed a sinking pit of anxiety in Auslin’s stomach. His worst fears were confirmed when Kio continued. “Nasume is Maseo’s father. You know, Nasume, the guy who has spent legendary centuries chasing after the Ice King. You remember him, don’t you?”

Kitsuki’s expression was completely blank as he stared Kio down with a chilling glare.

The revelation twisted Auslin’s stomach into knots. How had he not made the connection between Maseo and Nasume? It would have been easier to piece together if Maseo was as nasty as his father, but the half-wolf shifter lacked Nasume’s cruelty. Was that why Kitsuki had also failed to realize who Maseo’s father was?

When that failed to get a reaction out of either of them, Kio turned his attentions back to Auslin. “Maseo is officially out of the picture, Auslin. There’s nothing standing between us now.”

“Liar!” How many times had Auslin heard that same story before? He didn’t believe it in the past, and he certainly wasn’t about to believe it now. “Maseo is only gone until you get bored.”

“No, I really mean it this time!” Kio insisted. He tried to move in to kiss Auslin, but the human avoided him before Kitsuki could intervene. Kio seethed over the rejection. “You’re lucky I even want you back after you abandoned me! After being gone for almost two years, you should be dropping to your knees and sucking my dick gratefully!”

Kitsuki drew his sword with a threatening growl. “You will cease such foul language, or I will end you here and now.”

“This has nothing to do with you!” Kio yelled.

“Surely, even your half-breed nose can smell Auslin is my intended,” Kitsuki taunted. “You renounced any claim on him long ago with your atrocious behavior.”

“Now who’s the liar? Auslin, tell him he’s wrong! Tell him you belong to me.”

“It’s not a lie.” Auslin stepped closer to Kitsuki to touch his arm in silent reassurance. “I’m with Kitsuki now. If you ever cared for me at all, you would respect my happiness with him.”

“Bullshit!” Kio spat. “You could never be happy with that unfeeling Ice King!”

“I’m happier with him than I have ever been with you,” Auslin replied. “I’m with him, regardless of whether you approve or not.”

“I refuse to believe that!” Kio drew his sword. “He’s brainwashed you somehow. I’ll save you from him!”

Auslin resisted the urge to sigh. “Kitsuki didn’t brainwash me. He showed me what real love is supposed to be. He taught me I deserve better than settling for your abuse.”

“You’re mine, damn it!” Kio shouted, turning his rage on Kitsuki. “I’ll kill you before I let you steal him from me!”

Kitsuki assumed an offensive stance. “Try it and die.”

“Stop it, both of you,” Auslin said, stepping in front of Kitsuki’s sword. “Kio, you’ve repaid your debt to me several times over. You’re free to do as you wish. All I ask is you leave me alone to live my life as I wish.”

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