Page 65 of Consort of the Dragon King

“Why would someone like him ever wish to be with a recluse like me?” Pain seeped into his words. “He is far too good to be saddled with me.”

“Do not make the same mistakes I did,” Kitsuki urged Kisano. “I wasted far too much time trying to convince myself I did not wish to be with Auslin. To this day, I still regret it.”

Kisano scowled. “I know nothing of romance.”

“With as many books as you have read?” Kizoshi scoffed. “Forgive me, but I do not believe you, Kisano.”

“This is real life,” Kisano insisted. “What I know from books has no relevance in reality.”

“Only because you are too scared to apply it to your own life,” Kizoshi countered. “Do you not think he is worth the risk?”

“I cannot do as you suggest because I am unwilling to lose him,” Kisano protested.

She gave him a sympathetic look. “Do you not think these are the same questions Sephen is struggling with regarding you?”

“There is no way that is true.” Kisano’s lack of self-confidence was frustrating at times.

She tried a different angle to convince him. “If he understands Reskin’s writing so deeply, why would he not understand your heart as well?”

“Because it is not possible,” Kisano stubbornly insisted. “I do not wish to lose him because my heart unwisely developed affection for him.”

“Refusing to act would result in the same thing,” Kitsuki said. “Therefore, would it not be better to make your feelings known to him so you at least had the chance of finding out that he reciprocates them?”

“I am content with what I am allowed.” It was rare for Kisano’s stubborn streak to show.

Kizoshi shrugged. “You say that now. I can guarantee Sephen’s heat will have you saying otherwise, though.”

Although he hadn’t finished his dinner, Kisano stood up. “If you will excuse me, I have things to attend to.” He left to return to the sanctuary of his library.

“I fear we may have pushed too hard,” Kitsuki said with a sigh. “Now, he will refuse to go to prove a point.”

She shook her head. “No, the seeds have been planted. His intellectual curiosity will get the better of him despite his beliefs he is not good enough. He will visit Sephen.”

“Do you truly think so?” Kitsuki questioned in surprise. “For Kisano to leave the castle would be out of character.”

She couldn’t resist teasing him. “And how many out-of-character things did Auslin inspire you to do in the past?”

“You have made your point well, sister.”

“I would not push Kisano if I was not completely confident that it would lead him to where he needs to be,” Kizoshi added.

“Meaning Sophina has clued you in to how Kisano's and Sephen’s lives are to become intertwined in the future?”

Kizoshi’s enigmatic smile was her only answer.

Kitsuki finished his dinner. “I do not understand why he is so resistant. Kisano truly could not have found a more kindred soul than Sephen.”

“Agreed.” Kizoshi had faith Kisano would do what needed to be done. “I can finally be at ease that my two brothers have secured their happiness at long last.”

“Only a little longer, then all will be right in our world.”

“And what a day that will be.” Kizoshi raised her glass to toast the occasion. She was eager to see the future unfold as fate had dictated.

“It grows late, and I still have things to attend to,” Kitsuki said. “But I wish to speak with you tomorrow.”

“About what?”

“Do not pretend you are ignorant, sister. It does not suit you.”

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