Page 21 of Consort of the Dragon King

“The two of you will definitely hit it off.”

“I look forward to meeting him,” Sephen replied with genuine eagerness. “Do you think you’ll resume your travels for the temple?”

Auslin shrugged. “We haven’t had the time to discuss it. Kitsuki’s position doesn’t really allow him the freedom to travel the way I used to.”

“If you wish to resume your pilgrimages on behalf of the temple, I will accompany you,” Kitsuki told Auslin.

“But you’re the king of Valzerna. There’s no way you could be away from your duties that long.”

“Kisano often acts as my regent during my own travels. He is well respected,” Kitsuki explained. “It is possible for me to be gone for a few months at a time with enough warning.”

Auslin frowned. “But what if we go into other kingdoms that might cause a diplomatic incident if you were to join me?”

“I will consider it an opportunity to forge better relations between our kingdoms,” Kitsuki countered. “You need not concern yourself with such matters. As long as we avoid Kunushi and Reflorna, I am happy to go anywhere else.”

“We can talk about it later.”

Kitsuki nodded his agreement. He didn’t say much, but Sephen could see in the way he looked at Auslin that the king loved his brother. It made Kitsuki a little less intimidating.

Satisfied the matter had been put to rest for the time being, Auslin refocused his attention on Sephen. “I can’t say I’m sorry enough for disappearing for as long as I did.”

Rather than acknowledging his brother’s umpteenth apology, Sephen respectfully bowed to Kitsuki. “Thank you for taking such good care of my brother this whole time.”

“It was my privilege,” Kitsuki said in a gentle voice.

“I can rest easy knowing that Auslin finally has someone who will love him like he should be,” Sephen told Kitsuki with a small smile. It was still unnerving to be in the presence of the taciturn monarch of their kingdom, but Sephen knew Kitsuki would take care of Auslin instead of always punishing him with cruelty like Kio. “That means more to me than I can possibly express.”

The unspoken words of “After watching him suffer so long with Kio” hung heavy in the air.

“I’m so sorry,” Auslin apologized again.

Sephen shook his head. “Don’t be sorry. Be happy. That’s all I’ve ever wanted for you.”

Auslin looked up at the shifter monarch with love in his eyes. It was beautiful to see. Sephen could only hope someday he’d be lucky enough to find someone who looked at him the same way. “Nothing makes me happier than being with Kitsuki.”

“It is a mutual feeling,” Kitsuki said.

Hearing Kitsuki affirm his feelings for Auslin made Sephen smile brightly at the shifter monarch. “That’s all that I can ask for.”

“You promise you’ll come visit at the castle?” Auslin pressed his brother. “I’ve already told Kisano everything about you. He’s excited to meet you.”

“Hopefully, he won’t be too disappointed when he meets me,” Sephen self-consciously replied. “Or scared by how much I love Reskin and Liros.”

“Trust me, that won’t happen,” Auslin insisted. “We should probably go, though. I’m sure Kitsuki has stuff to attend to back at the castle.”

Kitsuki shook his head. “I am in no rush to return. We may stay as long as you like.”

“Is it really okay?” Auslin hesitantly asked.

Kitsuki softened his gaze. “Ah.”

Auslin shifted his attention back to his brother. “In that case, tell me what’s been happening in your world since I left.”

“Reskin published a new book about a month ago calledRemembrance,” Sephen stated, having a one-track mind for his favorite author. He didn’t take it personally when Auslin laughed at his predictable answer. “It was so heartbreaking, though. I kept crying the whole time I was reading it.”

“What was so sad about it?” Auslin asked.

“It was a reflection on the things we all lose over the years,” Sephen explained. “Even thinking about it makes me want to cry now. There’s a chapter where he talked about losing his dear friend, and it really made me miss you even more because it somehow sounded so much like you.”

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