Page 20 of Consort of the Dragon King

Bancho answered the shifter monarch’s question with one of his own. “Do you notice anything unusual about the garden?”

Kitsuki took a better look at the surrounding area. The rock sculptures all seemed to be representations of Sophina and Liros, the two powers the temple worshipped and provided services for. It wasn’t until Kitsuki scanned the garden again that something unusual caught his eye. “Why is there a sculpture of the former Healing Power?” Imeyu had passed into the Beyond Realm almost thirty years ago. It had devastated Kizoshi since she had a deep affection for him. “Are you saying Auslin is Imeyu’s son?”

Bancho smiled at the statue. “It certainly would explain a lot, wouldn’t it?”

Kitsuki was about to press for more details, but Auslin knocked on the door before reentering the veranda area. “Is everything okay?” Auslin asked.

Bancho mirthfully laughed. “All is well, young Auslin. Do not mind us old men who are pondering the mysterious ways of the world.”

“Okay,” Auslin uncertainly replied. “Your Majesty, Sephen came back, so I’m meeting with him now. Would you like to join me?” It was strange hearing Auslin call him by his formal title, but he appreciated the mage maintaining a respectful decorum out in public.

Kitsuki walked over to Auslin in silent acquiescence.

“If you’ll excuse us, Elder Bancho,” Auslin requested. “I promise I’ll come back and have a proper catch-up with you soon.”

“I shall look forward to it,” Bancho said in agreement. “It was a pleasure reacquainting with you at long last, Your Majesty.”

“Indeed.” Kitsuki warily watched the old mage, who never stopped looking at the statue of Imeyu with a faint smile on his face.

Bancho waved goodbye to them both. “Until next time.”

Returning the wave, Auslin led Kitsuki back into the temple, shutting the door behind him. As soon as they were out of earshot, Auslin apologized, “I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to call you by Your Majesty or King Kitsuki in front of Elder Bancho. I want to be respectful of your role while out in public. I should have thought to ask you about it earlier.”

“It is unnecessary for my intended to stand on such ceremony,” Kitsuki told Auslin.

“Yeah, but it’s different in front of other people,” Auslin insisted. “I never want to look disrespectful in front of your citizens.”

Since there were no witnesses, Kitsuki caressed the back of Auslin’s head. “Do not trouble yourself with such thoughts. All is well.”

Auslin changed topics. “Why did Elder Bancho say reacquainting himself with you? Have you met before?”

“Once, a very long time ago,” Kitsuki replied, still stunned by the revelation that Bancho was the young Roltan he had met all those centuries ago. “But that is a story for another time.”

“Okay.” Auslin smiled up at Kitsuki before continuing to lead the way to his younger brother’s room.

Chapter 13

Sephen

Auslin’s story of what had happened when he went through Fate’s Gate was the stuff of Sephen’s fantasy books. He sat in a stunned silence as he tried to absorb it all. It was a fantastical tale, but Sephen knew his older brother would never lie to him, so he had no choice but to believe it. Having Kitsuki present with his imposing silent presence also lent credibility to Auslin’s outlandish story.

Once Sephen was caught up, there was one lingering question. “What do you do now?”

Auslin shrugged. “I need some time to figure out what I’m going to do next.”

“Are you going to come back here to the temple to live?” Sephen desperately wished his brother would come back permanently, but he would never stand in the way of his happiness with Kitsuki.

“No, I’m going to stay at the castle with Kitsuki. I’ll still come visit you, though.”

Kitsuki’s gaze softened as he looked at Sephen. “You are welcome to join us at the castle.”

The offer shocked Sephen. It wasn’t every day a king invited someone to live in their magnificent castle. “While I am touched by the generosity of your offer, Your Majesty, my place is here at the temple. But I would like to come visit sometime if that’s okay?”

“You are always welcome,” Kitsuki told him.

“I really hope you’ll come visit me at the castle. I would love to introduce you to Kitsuki’s older brother, Kisano. He’s the one I told you about in my letter that has the amazing library and all kinds of rare Reskin and Liros books.”

Sephen’s eyes lit up at the prospect of getting to see something so unusual by his favorite authors. “I’d really like that. Although, fair warning, I might never leave his library if it’s as amazing as you say.”

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