Page 30 of Consort of the Dragon King

“Can I ask areallyawkward question?”

Kitsuki braced himself. “You may.”

“Earlier, Kio called you a virgin. Is that because he was being a cruel asshole?”

“It was.” Kitsuki waited a moment before he admitted, “It was also the truth. Nasume desperately wanted to change that, but I would never allow it. You are the only one I want to be intimate with. That has never changed.”

Auslin hid his face against Kitsuki’s chest, but he could feel the mage’s flushed cheeks. “I’msupersorry about that.”

“It is of no consequence.”

“But don’t people talk about it?” Auslin asked. “Any jealous rulers would probably use that to discount you, wouldn’t they?”

Kitsuki shrugged. “I am confident there are those who make light of it and believe me weaker for not indulging in carnal pleasures with multiple partners, like Father and Mitsuki. But I let my peaceful and prosperous kingdom speak for itself. My people do not care if I have had sex. They only care their lives are good and they are not taxed into poverty.”

Auslin nuzzled against Kitsuki. “You’re so good at taking care of people.” He fell silent for a few moments before he spoke again. “How does that work, anyway?”

“How can they tell I am still a virgin?” Kitsuki asked, not entirely sure what Auslin was asking.

The mage nodded. “Yeah. Because we did plenty of other things that were intimate. Sure, you haven’t penetrated me with your cock yet, but you’ve had your fingers and tongue inside me, which I feel like that should count.” Auslin hid his face with a groan. “Sorry, I don’t know why I’m overthinking this. I don’t understand how anyone can smell if you’re a virgin or not.”

Kitsuki stroked Auslin’s hair to soothe his embarrassment. “It is difficult to describe. I do not profess to understand how the actof coming inside someone affects anything, but both partners’ scents mature together when it happens. Think of it like a fruit. When it ripens, it smells better than before.”

“Meaning it’s not that you smell dirty or bad, but like a more elevated version of your normal scent?”

Kitsuki nodded. “Exactly. It is a good thing.”

“I’m sorry you’ve had to wait so long for me.”

“You forgot I waited hundreds of years before I met you, even with Nasume hounding me,” Kitsuki reminded him. “It was my choice to wait for the person who was worth sharing myself with. I always wanted that to only be my fated mate. I will never regret waiting this long for you. You are worth it.”

“How can that make me feel so good and guilty at the same time?” Auslin asked with a laugh. He propped himself up to give Kitsuki a sweet kiss. “Thank you for being so patient with me. I promise it’ll be worth it.”

Kitsuki brushed Auslin’s hair from his eyes. “It already is.”

The mage grinned. “Uh-oh, it looks like your inner romantic has awoken from its long slumber.”

“You have always brought out the best in me.”

Auslin stole another kiss before resting his head on Kitsuki’s chest once more. “I’m probably going to regret asking this, but did Kizoshi give you any cryptic warnings while I was gone I should be aware of?”

Kizoshi had hinted several times throughout the years that Ariake men would always desire more than one partner, but Kitsuki found the notion laughable. No one could compareto Auslin. It wasn’t worth considering. “She did not mention anything about what would happen after you returned to this time. I must admit, I am shocked it has taken her this long to appear. Given how fond of you she is, I expected her to arrive by now. But she will get here at the exact right time, like she always does.”

“I hope she comes soon. I have so many things I want to ask her.”

Kitsuki chuckled. “I am sure she will give you more cryptic answers than you will know what to do with.”

“I’d almost be disappointed if she didn’t.” Kitsuki thought Auslin had fallen asleep until he said, “It feels like something big is about to happen.”

“If you are right, then Kizoshi will inevitably be involved.” His sister had a knack for being at the center of trouble. It was fortunate for Kitsuki that she was always on his side. Anyone who made a foe of Kizoshi deserved her legendary wrath.

But Kitsuki agreed with Auslin. Something ominous loomed on the horizon.

Kitsuki held in a sigh when a knock interrupted them. Although he didn’t want to, he called out, “Enter!”

The door opened to reveal Tyrian, who had a pinched look on his handsome face. “Sorry to interrupt, cousin. But there is an urgent issue for you to deal with at the castle gates.”

“I shall return,” Kitsuki told Auslin. He used his magic to redress before getting out of bed.

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