Page 46 of Consort of the Dragon King

“Youknowhim?” Sephen asked in disbelief.

“In a manner of speaking, yes.” Kisano brushed some of his bangs behind his ears with a trembling hand.

Sephen made another excited noise before laughing. “I would ask you if you could introduce us, but I’m pretty sure I would humiliate myself and die of embarrassment. It wouldsobe worth it, though.”

“Perhaps a meeting could be arranged someday. He does not have many occasions to meet with fans of his work.”

The mere thought of it made Sephen’s heart race. “Then my overzealous appreciation of him and his work would probably terrify him. Although, I’d be too overwhelmed to talk—but then again, staring at him with loving adoration is creepy in its own way.”

“I think he would be deeply touched to see his words meant so much to someone.” Kisano gave Sephen a shy smile that made the human’s heart flutter for a whole new reason. “Your passion would move him.”

“No, he’d be like, ‘Kisano, who is this weird guy, and why did you bring him to me?’ I would tryreallyhard not to embarrass myself, but I’m pretty sure I’d accidentally humiliate myself within the first three minutes of meeting him.”

Kisano laughed, sending butterflies soaring through Sephen. “I am quite confident he would be most thankful to have such a devoted fan. It would mean a lot to him to know there was a reader like you who cared so much.”

Sephen sighed as he let his fingers run along the spines of some of Reskin’s books. “Ah, I’m so envious of my brother!”

“Why is that?”

“Because he got to spend almost two years here in paradise with you,” Sephen answered with another laugh. “If I were him, Iwouldn’t have wanted to come home at all. I barely want to leave now!”

“You are always welcome here.” Kisano hesitated before softly saying, “I would enjoy your company.”

“Is it really okay?” Sephen hopefully asked. “Because I really will come here and bother you all the time.”

“It is no bother,” Kisano insisted.

Sephen didn’t think it was possible to be any happier than he was in that moment. “Then is there somewhere we can talk where I’m not distracted by Reskin’s brilliance on full display? I don’t want you to think I’m only using you to worship at this magnificent altar of Reskin.”

Kisano chuckled. “There is a sitting area over this way if you would like to make yourself at home.”

It took a moment for Sephen to realize Auslin was gone. “When did my brother leave?” Sephen asked as he followed Kisano to two of the most comfortable-looking leather chairs he had ever seen.

Kisano laughed quietly behind his hand, further captivating Sephen. “I am not quite sure.”

“Oh, well. When he wants us, he can come here,” Sephen decided with a shrug. “It gives us more time to talk that way.”

Chapter 23

Kisano

Normally, the prospect of carrying a prolonged conversation with a non-family member was the stuff of Kisano’s nightmares. But as Auslin had promised, Sephen had the same magical ability to make Kisano feel like a close friend in a short amount of time. He couldn’t help but be drawn to Sephen’s ardent passion for books and all things Reskin. With his blond hair and dark green eyes, Sephen was handsome in an unassuming way.

“Please tell me everything about you,” Sephen requested, holding his hands up in a silent plea. “Because I have to know more about you.”

Unaccustomed to being the center of attention, Kisano could only blush. “I fear you will be disappointed that there is not much to tell. Most of my time is spent here in my library or with my family. I do not venture out into the real world very much.”

“We’re definitely the same. I practically live in the temple’s library, although it seems like an insult to call it that compared to all this majesty,” Sephen said, gesturing at the surrounding area. “The only time I come into the city section of Tiora is whenI’m visiting the bookshop or obligated to manage the temple’s stall at a festival. Otherwise, it’s too crowded and chaotic for my tastes.”

“Which bookshop do you frequent?” Kisano asked.

“Storybook Square. It’s run by a turtle shifter named Samtar.”

The answer pleased Kisano. “Samtar is an old family friend. If there is a book I cannot find, he always finds one for me.”

“He’s the best. I swear, he’s one of my favorite people in the entire Living Realm.”

Kisano arched an eyebrow in surprise. “Why is that?”

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