Page 45 of Consort of the Dragon King

“And he’s saying all of this before he’s seen your Reskin section,” Auslin teased Kisano.

Sephen’s excitement spiked at the reminder. “Can I please see it?”

“Of course.” Kisano set his book down on a table, then gestured for them to follow him.

Sephen admired the rows and rows of books they passed as Kisano led them to where his Reskin collection was. When they arrived in front of the multiple bookcases containing Reskin’s complete works, Sephen squealed in delight as he took in the sight of so many of his favorite author’s books. He shoved Auslin’s arm in excitement, barely able to contain his joy. “Auslin, look at it!”

“I have,” Auslin told him with a laugh.

“Butlook at it,” Sephen repeated with emphasis. The collection overwhelmed him, as did the knowledge that Kisano liked his favorite author enough to have what appeared to be centuries’ worth of his books. “It’s so beautiful I could cry.”

Kisano looked at Sephen with curiosity. “Reskin means that much to you?”

“Reskin meanseverythingto me!” It wasn’t an exaggeration.

“He really and truly means it,” Auslin dryly added. “You will never meet a more devoted and obsessed fan in your long life, I can promise you that.”

“But why?” Kisano asked.

“Because his words are etched into my heart, into my verysoul.” Sephen held his hand over his heart for emphasis. “He means everything to me. His philosophies literally helped define who I am as a person. Somehow, he knows me better than I know myself, even though I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting him. He’s the most amazing person who’s ever graced this realm.”

Auslin chuckled as he looked at his brother fondly. He told Kisano, “It’s not an exaggeration to say that if someone wants to be my brother’s friend, it is mandatory that they read Reskin’sSanctuaryfirst.”

“That bookisme.” Sephen instinctively sought it out on the well-organized shelves.

“I never imagined Reskin’s words would have such a deep impact on someone,” Kisano said.

When Sephen found the book, he gestured at it. “May I?” It was an edition he had never seen before, which made him more excited at the discovery.

“Please.”

Sephen pulled it off the shelf with reverence. It was always an honor for him to hold Reskin’s words in his hands. He ran his fingers over the elaborate gold leaf title on the leather cover. “I’ve never seen such a beautifully bound version before.”

“I am not surprised. That is the only one that was ever made.”

“And you have it?” Sephen asked in awe. “That’s incredible! But why is it so rare?”

“Open it.” Kisano observed him carefully.

Doing as he was told, Sephen opened to a random page. His eyes went wide at the sight of handwriting rather than the printed version he had access to at the temple. “Is this…?” Sephen was too enthralled to finish his thought.

Kisano finished Sephen’s unfinished question. “It is Reskin’s handwritten final draft.”

Sephen inhaled sharply as he stared in disbelief at the pages. He traced some letters with a trembling hand. “I knew it. Even his handwriting is perfect,” Sephen whispered in awe, unable to look away from the ornate characters covering the pages. “I…”

When Sephen teared up from the overwhelming privilege of seeing something Reskin himself had touched, Auslin gently took the book from him to return to the shelf. “Careful. You don’t want to ruin the ink with your tears.”

“It’s just so beautiful,” Sephen insisted in a quiet voice. His emotions overwhelmed him. “For me to touch a page that he wrote himself…”

“I know.” Auslin patted his younger brother’s shoulder in solidarity. “Now you understand why I wanted you to come visit here.”

Sephen forgot his sense of decorum as he took Kisano’s hands in his. “Thank you, Kisano. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.”

The contact flustered Kisano. “You are most welcome.”

It made Sephen realize he had probably broken five rules of royalty by touching Kisano without permission. But for some reason, holding Kisano’s hands felt as right as holding Reskin’s book. It broke his heart to let go for the sake of preserving decorum. “How did you find a handwritten draft?”

Kisano hesitated before answering. “I am acquainted with him.”

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