Page 72 of Consort of the Dragon King

“Prince Kisano Ariake,” the acolyte answered.

Sephen made another distressed sound. He sat up and looked at Auslin in a panic. “No, no, no, no! I can’t see him right now or ever again.”

“It’s obviously a sign that the two of you need to talk,” Auslin told his brother.

“Ican’t,” Sephen refused in despair.

Sephen thought his heart would stop when Auslin answered on his behalf. “Please send him in.”

“Auslin, no!” Sephen angrily exclaimed in betrayal.

“You can’t run away from him or from your feelings.” Auslin stood up to leave.

Sephen had just enough time to hide the Reskin book under his pillow before there was a gentle knock on his door. He glared at his older brother for putting him in the situation before calling out in a shaky voice, “Please come in.”

Kisano hesitantly entered the room. He wore simple black breeches and a white shirt but still looked like the most handsome person Sephen had ever seen before. He shut the door behind him, then bowed his head. “Please forgive me for arriving unannounced.”

When Sephen was still too tongue-tied to speak, Auslin gestured for Kisano to come farther into the room. “It’s never a problem for you to come visit us here. You’re always welcome.”

Kisano’s gaze strayed to Sephen. “That is very kind of you to say.”

“I was actually on my way out, so I’ll see you soon, Kisano.”

“I shall look forward to it,” Kisano replied before Auslin left them alone.

Sephen’s heart was in his throat. He hadn’t stopped reeling from the shocking revelation Kisano and Reskin were the same person. There were so many things that Sephen wanted to say, but he couldn’t speak.

Kisano awkwardly lingered near the bed. “If I should not have come, I can leave if it is a problem.”

Sephen struggled to get the right words out but couldn’t get his mouth to cooperate. When Kisano turned to leave, Sephen reacted on instinct to capture the shifter’s wrist to stop him. A shock electrified Sephen’s whole body. He released Kisano as if he had been burned. “I’m so sorry! I shouldn’t have done something so improper.”

“I do not mind it,” Kisano reassured him with a kind smile.

“Please sit.” He gestured for Kisano to join him on his bed since he didn’t have anywhere else to sit other than the floor.

Kisano settled down next to Sephen, looking at the human with concern. “Are you well?” He reached a hand to Sephen’s pink cheeks. “You are flushed.”

Why was it every time Kisano touched him, Sephen felt like he would explode into a million butterflies? “I…” Sephen’s words failed him again as he shyly looked at Kisano. He mustered up all his courage to have the conversation he knew they needed to have. “Why didn’t you tell me you’re Reskin?”

Kisano’s eyes went wide in surprise. “How did you know?”

“Bancho just told Auslin, who told me right before you came in,” Sephen answered. His heart hammered from being so close to Kisano. Could the shifter hear it?

Kisano hung his head in shame. “I did not mean to deceive you. But when I realized how important Reskin was to you, I was afraid to ruin your opinion of him.”

“Ruin my opinion of him?” Sephen repeated in shock. “What are you talking about?”

“I selfishly enjoyed indulging in your intelligent analysis of my works. Knowing my words meant so much to you deeply touched my heart,” Kisano confessed. “You hold so much affection and respect for Reskin. I did not wish to disappoint you with the reality that I was him.”

“Disappointed? Why would I be disappointed to find out someone as incredible as you actuallyisthe most amazing person ever?”

Kisano’s amber eyes grew wide. “I do not understand.”

“It’s not fair you get to be so smartandgorgeous,” Sephen lamented. How was a mere human ever supposed to compare?

Kisano genuinely looked confused. “But I am not?—”

The last thing Sephen wanted to hear was Kisano speak badly about himself. “Not only are you the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen in my life, but you’re so intelligent I can’t even comprehend the vastness of your mind.” Belatedly realizing what he said, Sephen blushed in embarrassment. “I know I’m not supposed to say stuff like that to someone of your rank, but it’s the truth.”

---