Page 135 of Consort of the Dragon King

The fight went out of Auslin. “Not really.” He wrapped his arms around Kitsuki and snuggled closer to him. “I guess I should just be grateful he lied so I could be with you for my first time.”

“That is how I would look at it.” Kitsuki kissed the top of Auslin’s head. “It is terrible he lied to you, but it is more important that you were free to be mine.”

“I should have seen through his lies sooner.” Auslin sighed heavily. “But you’re right. I should just be grateful and move on.”

Kitsuki wanted to hear the rest of the story. “What happened after Kio refused you at the inn?”

Auslin led them back to sit on the bed once again. “Kio was gone when I woke up the next day. I convinced myself I deserved his punishment. I thought Eldin was too good for me and my broken heart. We left when Kio came back a few hours later. I never said goodbye to Eldin, even though I knew that was an awful thing to do. I just couldn’t face him after choosing to stay in my toxicrelationship with Kio instead of pursuing something better with my friend.”

“You did what you had to do.” Kitsuki didn’t want Auslin to feel any worse about his actions than he already did.

Auslin shrugged. “We returned to Valzerna after that on the night of the Day of Remembrance Festival, which is when I went through Fate’s Gate. Eldin became a distant memory I didn’t want to think about anymore. But when I saw him today, my old guilt returned. The strength of his feelings overwhelmed me.”

“You have no reason to feel badly about Eldin’s feelings toward you.”

Auslin’s tears fell from his beautiful lilac eyes. “You must think I’m awful. I always prided myself on being loyal, but I was drawn to Eldin and you while I was with Kio. How can you ever trust me again?”

Kitsuki wiped away his mate’s tears. “It was Kio’s abuse and neglect which pushed you to your breaking point. Unlike him, I love you with all that I am and will never give you a reason to feel the urge to seek another.”

“But—”

Kitsuki interrupted Auslin with a kiss. “I can feel through our bond your heart is loyal only to me. That is the only thing that matters.” To prove his point, Kitsuki brushed against their bond in silent comfort. “I will not make the same mistakes that degenerate did. You have nothing to fear.”

Auslin’s guilt would not assuage so easily. “It’s all my fault, though.”

“You are not responsible for Eldin’s feelings for you,” Kitsuki softly told him. “Even I cannot blame Eldin for falling in love with you. Not when you are all things wonderful in this Realm.”

“I feel like I still have to talk to him about this to get closure, but I’m afraid I’m just going to end up in the same position again.”

“If Eldin truly loves you, he will understand he must let you go to be happy with your mate,” Kitsuki said.

Auslin’s tears fell again. “I never should have let him kiss me. I tried to stop him, but…”

“I do not blame you.” Kitsuki needed Auslin to understand that. “He used your guilt and grief against you in that moment. I am secure in knowing I am the only one you love.”

“I’ve never loved anyone the way I love you. You’re the only person I ever want to be with, Kitsuki.” Auslin threw his arms around Kitsuki as he crawled into his lap.

Kitsuki embraced him closer, nuzzling against him. “I feel the same way about you.” Kitsuki kissed Auslin, his dragon needing to obliterate Eldin’s earlier kiss. He did his utmost to make Auslin feel the love between them by showering his mate with reassuring touches and kisses.

“Please make me yours,” Auslin begged. He stripped off his formal jacket, sending a clear signal about what he meant.

Kitsuki was more than happy to oblige. He used magic to rid them of their clothes, then pinned Auslin beneath him on the bed. His dragon rose to the surface, purring with satisfaction as he pleasured Auslin beyond anything Eldin would ever be capable of doing. “You are the one we love with all our heart. On our honor, we will never stray from your side for another.”

The words seemed to act as a balm on Auslin’s wounded soul. He embraced Kitsuki on all levels as he gave himself over to his mate completely. “I love you,” Auslin whispered as he reacted to the pleasure only his mate could give him.

“You are ours,” Kitsuki’s dragon reassured Auslin, “the same as we are yours.”

“Always.” Auslin climaxed with a gasp.

Kitsuki’s dragon swiped some of his mate’s cum on his finger to lick it off. The taste of his ecstasy brought on his orgasm and knot. “Only we may enjoy you this way. You areours. We love you more than life itself.”

“Yours,” Auslin whispered as he clung to Kitsuki. “All yours, forever.”

Chapter 67

Auslin

By the time they joined Kehnon for dinner later that night, Auslin felt much better about what had happened earlier that afternoon with Eldin. Knowing Kitsuki truly didn’t blame him was a relief. Auslin wondered how it was possible he had been blessed with such a wonderful and understanding mate.

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