Page 145 of Consort of the Dragon King

“There was no other acceptable option,” Kitsuki said in an emotionless voice.

“There were plenty of other options!”

“None that involved that man peacefully leaving us alone,” Kitsuki argued. “There was a chance he had reinforcements. It was too dangerous to risk.”

“If you were really worried about that, we would have already left,” Auslin shot back. “And what about Kio? Do you really want to hurt Kio that badly?”

“I will admit it is hard to resist my dragon’s clamoring need for revenge against Kio for hurting you in the past,” Kitsuki admitted.

“What, so now you want to go back to hurt everyone in my past who has ever hurt me?” Auslin sarcastically asked. “Are you going to hurt Maseo, too?”

Kitsuki frowned at the question. “We protect him for your sake. But Kio is an exception. Not only has he hurt you in unforgivable ways, but he has also brought shame upon my clan with his outrageous behavior. He still poses too much of a threat to your happiness.”

“What threat is he when he’s locked up in a dungeon?” Auslin demanded in outrage.

“I have sworn to you I will let him continue to exist so long as he does not harm you further,” Kitsuki reminded Auslin. “I will not concede on that matter.”

It hurt to hear. “So I’m supposed to be grateful you let Kio and Eldin live for my sake?”

“I defy my dragon’s every instinct for your peace of mind,” Kitsuki heatedly defended himself. “But I will not apologize for doing whatever needs to be done to protect you at any cost.”

When Auslin remained silent, Kitsuki continued. “This is not the first time I killed someone to protect you, so why is this any different?”

“Those were actual life and death situations because we were under attack,” Auslin argued. “Hibiki didn’t come out, so how much of a threat could Urio really have been?”

“I am sorry you are upset,” Kitsuki said in place of an answer.

“You should be sorry for what you did!”

Kitsuki shook his head. “I will not apologize for keeping you safe.”

Auslin gestured at the dead body. “So now what? We leave him?”

“That is exactly what we are going to do,” Kitsuki confirmed.

When Kitsuki approached and tried to take him in his arms, Auslin pushed him away. “This isn’t okay!”

Forcibly taking hold of Auslin, Kitsuki flew them off while his mate continued protesting.

When Kitsuki led them into a cave and started a fire for them, Auslin put distance between them. “How could you?”

“Are you upset my dragon killed for your sake or the fact that he killed a human?”

Auslin’s outrage burned bright. “Both!”

“You are fully aware I am a shifter with a dragon who rules entirely on instinct. It should not surprise you, especially because I have killed to protect you on more than one occasion, including that time when a group of humans ambushed you.”

Auslin looked down in shame. “But Urio died tonight because of me.”

“No, he died because of his blind hatred and thirst for violence,” Kitsuki corrected Auslin. “It is not your fault.”

When Auslin didn’t look convinced, Kitsuki took his face in his hands. “We both will go to any length to protect you. Nothing is more important than making sure you are safe and loved.”

“But the stuff he said about Kio was so brutal,” Auslin said in an agonized whisper. “I don’t want that!”

“I have given you my word that I am honor-bound to your desire for Kio to remain in this realm, so long as he poses no threat to you,” Kitsuki reminded Auslin. “You do not need to fear my dragon.”

“I’m not scared of your dragon, but more what he’s capable of doing in the name of love for me. Why can’t you understand that?”

---