Page 25 of Consort of the Dragon King

Kitsuki shrugged. “Perhaps not. But Imeyu being his father would align with Satsuma’s insistence that Kizoshi was connected to Auslin’s heritage since she is a half-Power as well.”

“Alas, the only person who could probably answer that is Kizoshi.” They both knew getting a concrete answer out of theirsister was a nigh impossible task. “She also could provide you better insight on how a Royal Consort Fatebonding ceremony would go with a half-Power.”

“Should Auslin still wish to become my bondmate.”

The lack of confidence surprised Kisano. “He is your fated mate. Why would he not wish to be your bondmate and royal consort?”

“Because I am not the same man he left behind a few days ago.”

“Except you are,” Kisano countered. “The core of your character has never changed despite the intervening years. You may not be as talkative or quick to laugh as you once were, but you are still you, Kitsuki. I know Auslin can see that.”

“I can only hope.” Kitsuki still didn’t sound completely convinced.

“Talk with him,” Kisano counseled, although he knew that was now difficult for his brother. “Help him understand your concerns so that he can allay them once and for all.”

Kitsuki nodded. “You are right. I owe him that much, at least.”

“You owe it to both of you,” Kisano corrected him. “Trust in your love for each other, and all will be well, Kitsuki. Surely, that is why fate brought him back to your side after all this time.”

“I would be lost without your calm reasoning,” Kitsuki told his brother with an appreciative look.

Kisano smiled at him. “I am not saying anything you do not already know.”

“Then here is hoping that we are both right about this.”

“In the meantime, I shall look into what I can find out about Imeyu.”

“Oh, one more thing. I would strongly encourage you to meet with Sephen when he comes here for a visit. I finally understand why Auslin always insisted you two would get along.”

“If he is anything like Auslin, then I might survive that.” Despite being reassured repeatedly about Sephen, the idea of meeting any stranger filled him with apprehension.

“Sephen proved to be surprisingly insightful. It appears Auslin was severely underselling his younger brother’s obsession with Reskin. They talked at length about his new book. Sephen’s first comment was how heartbreaking it was and how much the chapter about Reskin’s friend reminded him of Auslin.”

“Really?” Kisano asked, unsure of which part surprised him most.

“It is amazing how much he understood without knowing the truth,” Kitsuki told him. “You may yet find someone who understands your heart if you are willing to open it.”

The thought made Kisano’s pulse race, but he couldn’t allow himself to believe that he could ever love anyone in such a way. “I have never been destined for that kind of life,” Kisano denied, unable to even picture such an existence for himself.

“You also thought you were never destined to have a best friend, and yet you have Auslin and Fersen,” Kitsuki reminded his older brother. “I am merely suggesting it is something to keep in mind.”

Kisano bowed his head. “I will take it under advisement.”

“If I must have faith that fate brought Auslin into our lives for a reason, you should also believe in such a thing. It may very well be his purpose was to bring Sephen into your life.”

The thought made Kisano’s heart flutter with nervousness. “I shall try for Auslin’s sake, if nothing else.”

Kitsuki smiled. “Then that is all I can ask.”

Chapter 15

Auslin

After a divine bath, Auslin relaxed on the outside veranda overlooking the beautiful pond, which glittered under the light of the full moon. Auslin couldn’t help but reflect on all the times he had met Tatsuki on his veranda. He regretted the shifter warlord had not survived into the present so that they could meet once more. He could only imagine what Tatsuki’s reaction would have been to his sudden reappearance. It saddened Auslin he would never have the chance to find out what would have happened.

The thought drew Auslin’s attention to Hibiki, who nestled comfortably on his lap. “Why didn’t you warn me not to go through Fate’s Gate?” Auslin asked Hibiki, wishing he could get some kind of answer.

When Hibiki answered with nothing more than a flick of his tail, Auslin sighed. It was obvious the fire dragon spirit hadn’t warned him because there was no actual danger for him going through Fate’s Gate to his own rightful time. Auslin wished not for the first time he had never gone near the ancient gate, butit changed nothing about the situation he found himself in at present.

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