Page 86 of Consort of the Dragon King

“No, I was a good boy and didn’t peek.” Rylan laughed at his own joke. “What I can tell you is that His Majesty acted as if this was a life-or-death mission of the highest importance to him. He seemed genuinely distressed. It was most unusual since I have never seen him be anything other than in complete control of his emotions.”

Maseo needed answers. He finished the letter, hoping to find some contained within it.

You will perhaps find it difficult to believe, but it would sadden me if something happened to you because of a misunderstanding with your father. Please be careful. This message and ring are not meant to disturb you. Instead, it is an expression of my genuinedesire to keep you safe from a distance. You do not deserve to face your father’s wrath. You never have.

Be well,

Kitsuki

Tears welled up in Maseo’s eyes. He couldn’t stop reading the lines, “You do not deserve to face your father’s wrath. You never have.” When the world had beaten Maseo down to where he believed he deserved Nasume and Kio’s abuse, they were shocking words to see, especially when Maseo knew without a doubt that Kitsuki was too honorable to lie.

Somehow, the dragon king, who had every reason to hate Maseo, thought he deserved better in life. What had happened in the almost two years since he last saw Kitsuki? Where was this sudden concern for his well-being coming from? And why did it fill Maseo’s heart with ineffable joy?

Maseo slid the ring over the fourth finger on his right hand. The diamond in the center flared to life, shining brightly with Kitsuki’s distinctive silver dragon fire flickering inside the stone. Although Maseo couldn’t use magic, he felt it wash over him. In contrast to Kitsuki’s reputation as the Ice King, his magic was warm—so warm—settling over him like a comforting blanket.

Maseo closed his eyes as the sensation washed over him. He swore he felt Kitsuki’s larger body embracing him from behind. Never in his life had he ever felt so safe, loved, and wanted. Was it his imagination, or could he hear the dragon king possessively whispering, “Mine,” in his ear? Either way, it sent a shiver racing down his spine, where it pooled in the warm pit of his stomach.

He expected the wonderful feeling to disappear, but no, he could still feel Kitsuki’s magic wrapping him up in its protective hug. Maseo didn’t understand why Kitsuki felt guilty enough to send him such an extraordinary gift, but he thanked every Power in the Divine Realm for the sudden change in good fortune. He knew it would never last because his life was a shit show of epic proportions, but he never wanted to stop basking in the glory of Kitsuki’s protective magic. It was no wonder his father was obsessed with the dragon king.

“I think the better question is, who areyou?” Rylan asked with a hum of interest.

Maseo jumped. He had been so lost in feeling Kitsuki he had forgotten the messenger was still sitting across from him. “I’m nobody.”

“Respectfully, I call bullshit,” Rylan said with a laugh. “His Majesty is not in the habit of giving away jewelry to just anyone. You must be someone special to him, which is surprising when you are a half-wolf shifter. Our king is not fond of your kind because of your father’s legendarily terrible behavior.”

Maseo rubbed his thumb over the dragon fire stone. It was hot to the touch as the flames inside it flickered and danced. “I’m not special, especially to him, of all people. Or at least I didn’t think I was.” He couldn’t make heads or tails of it. “I don’t understand this at all. What did he tell you?”

“Not a damn thing. His Majesty is a man of few words. Speaking of which.” He pulled out a small sheet of paper and a self-inking quill. “I would appreciate it if you replied to him and gave me something of yours so I can prove I found you.”

What could Maseo possibly say in the face of such a generous gift? A mere thank-you wasn’t enough. But what words would suffice? He took a moment to consider before writing a reply.

Your Majesty,

I humbly thank you for your generous gifts. I’m not sure what I did to deserve them, but I am eternally grateful for your protection. Your warning about my father is well taken, and your kind words imprinted on my heart.

Maseo hesitated before continuing. He wasn’t sure how forward he should be. The last thing he wanted to do was make Kitsuki regret giving him the ring. At the same time, what did he have to lose?

He resumed writing.

Perhaps this will come as a surprise, but my sole regret about leaving Kio is not being able to see you again. I know our paths cannot cross right now because of my bastard father, but it does not stop me from wishing we could reunite at a time when I could speak freely with you.

If I may be forgiven for being so forward, being under your protection fills my heart with gratitude, love, and admiration for you. To imagine I matter even the slightest bit to you after the circumstances we met under is a privilege I neverexpected to have. It is rare for me to experience joy, but you have touched my heart in unspeakable ways that make me a better person.

Thank you for giving me the grace of seeing me as something more than Nasume’s bastard son and Kio’s disgusting indiscretion. I selfishly wish I knew what I was to you, but it is enough for now to know you care about me at all.

As proof that Lieutenant Norkon found the real me, I am entrusting you with the sole relic I have left of my dear mother. Her wish pendant is the only thing I treasure more than the ring you gave me. I would not trust it with anyone but you. Please take good care of it until our paths cross again.

If my father was even a tenth of the king you are, Kunushi would not be in such dire straits. I will pray to the Powers that we may meet under better circumstances someday soon. I look forward to you returning my mother’s necklace then.

With affection and sincere gratitude,

Maseo

The half-wolf shifter had probably said too much in his letter, but he didn’t regret it. Even if he never saw the dragon shifter again, at least he had the consolation of knowing he would always carry a part of Kitsuki with him everywhere he went now.His father would murder him out of jealousy if he ever found out, but it would be worth it.

Maseo’s hands shook as he took off his mother’s necklace he had worn his entire life. It was the only proof Maseo could offer Kitsuki that his letter and gratitude were genuine. Selfishly, he hoped giving Kitsuki the necklace could ensure a meeting with him in the future, even if he had to wait until after Nasume passed to the Beyond Realm. The fact that Maseo trusted Kitsuki with it was a testament to his high regard for the king. He would likely never see it again, but it was a sacrifice worthy of the protective ring gifted to him.

Maseo made one last wish on the pendant.I wish I could have a place in King Kitsuki’s and Auslin’s lives.While it would be the ultimate fuck-you to Kio, Maseo wanted that happily ever after fate with them for deeper reasons. Not only were they the only two people who had shown him an ounce of kindness, but Kio had abused all of them in different ways. It would serve the asshole right to end up alone while they found happiness with each other without him.If you can only grant one wish for the rest of my life, let it be that one, Mother. It’s the only chance I’ll ever have of finding happiness.

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