Page 96 of Consort of the Dragon King

Auslin instinctively started to apologize, but he was saved when Kizoshi suddenly appeared. “Why, Kalassandria, it has truly been ages since we last met.” She smoothly slipped between them, making Auslin immediately feel better to have Kizoshi protecting him from the fearsome queen. “Still as dour as ever, I see.”

“My mood would be much improved if you would remove yourself from my presence,” Kalassandria icily replied, shocking Auslin.

“With the way you’re acting, it would make one think you had some reason to be unhappy that yourbelovedcousin finally mated the love of his life.”

Kalassandria bristled in response.

“Kizoshi, that is enough,” Kitsuki gently told her.

She smiled beautifully at Kitsuki before taking hold of Auslin’s hand. “Yes, I would much rather dance with my new brother-in-law than continue being the recipient of misguided anger.” Having said what she wanted, Kizoshi swept Auslin into hold and skillfully navigated them away from Kitsuki and Kalassandria to another part of the dance floor.

Auslin looked up at Kizoshi with confusion, even as he naturally fell into dancing with her. “What was that about?” Auslin’s mind reeled from what had just happened.

Kizoshi kept her voice low to avoid being overheard by other dancers. “The less you have to do with Kalassandria, the better off you will be.”

The warning troubled Auslin. But he knew better than to disobey her. “Why?”

“She is cruelty personified,” Kizoshi explained. “She is entirely too invested in my brother’s happiness for all the wrong reasons.”

Nothing Kizoshi said made sense. “What do you mean?”

“The sooner she goes back to Mizujil, the better.” Kizoshi failed to elaborate beyond that.

Auslin tried to figure out what Kizoshi wasn’t saying. “Will she cause us trouble?”

“No, her feelings for Kitsuki will still her hand from any real harm.” Kizoshi glanced over to where the two were dancing. “But it is best to keep your distance from her, Auslin. You do not want to tempt fate by getting involved with her.”

“In that case, thank you for saving me.”

“My only regret is I could not play with her some more,” Kizoshi joked as she spun them around with flare. “I so rarely get to indulge in torturing her anymore.”

Despite the seriousness of the situation, her attitude drew a laugh from Auslin. “Have I mentioned how glad I am that youlike me? I can only imagine what kind of awful hell you would have made my life if you hated me.”

“I could never hate anyone who grants my brother the greatest joy possible in life.” Kizoshi’s fond look made Auslin feel shy. “I will always be your ally, Auslin.”

When the song ended, Auslin dared to hug Kizoshi. “Thank you for always taking care of me.”

“It is I who should thank you,” Kizoshi replied as she smiled at Auslin. “However, it seems my other brother is looking quite miserable and alone. Do you want to save him, or shall I?”

Following Kizoshi’s gaze, Auslin saw Kisano awkwardly standing near a wall, looking overwhelmed. “I’ll go check on him,” Auslin said.

“Are you okay?” Auslin asked Kisano once he drew near.

Kisano’s amber gaze flitted around the banquet hall. “I have never been around so many people in my life. It is intimidating.”

“I couldn’t agree more. Where’s my brother?” Auslin found it strange Sephen would leave Kisano alone.

“He left to use the bathroom.”

Auslin held his hand out to Kisano. “Then come dance with me while you wait.”

“Oh, I could never?—”

The mage interrupted his friend’s protesting by gently taking Kisano’s hand to lead him onto the dance floor. “It’ll be okay. I’m staying with you until Sephen returns.”

When they stepped into hold, Kisano hid his face against Auslin’s shoulder. “You will upset so many people by showing me favoritism.”

“Even if it upsets them, that’s their problem,” Auslin said with a shrug. “I’m proud to call you family. If they have an issue with that, they’re free to leave and never come back.”

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