Page 48 of Consort of the Dragon King

Kisano sighed in relief that Sephen had the right attitude. “Like Kitsuki, she is a protector with a strong moral compass about what is right. Valzerna and Talwyn are better off because she is watching out for us.”

Sephen tapped his chin. “Then I guess that’s why there haven’t been any wars as long as I’ve been alive?”

“Kitsuki does not share Father's and Mitsuki’s bloodthirsty need to expand our lands. Kizoshi has no desire to put Kitsuki in harm’s way, so she has taken every precaution to make sure Valzerna has known peace for centuries.”

Sephen grinned. “Who knew having a sister for a War Power would be a superpower?”

“She is a remarkable person. Should you visit the castle more, you will likely meet her.”

“I’ll definitely be coming back more, if you’re okay with it.”

The thought filled Kisano with a warm glow. “That would make me very happy indeed.” He gestured to the book Sephen was holding. “Since you are afraid to take that back to the temple with you, you are free to read it now.”

Sephen bit his lower lip. Why was that so attractive? “You really wouldn’t mind? Because I’m having a great time talking to you, but it’s Liros….”

“I will retrieve my book I left on the table up front, so I may join you. We can read now, then discuss it when you are done,” Kisano suggested.

Sephen’s eyes brightened as he looked at Kisano with affection. “I hope you know you’re officially my new best friend.”

Kisano tilted his head, his bangs falling in front of his face. “I am honored.” Why did such a simple thing make him so happy?

Chapter 24

Kitsuki

“How unlike my brother to be late,” Kitsuki commented. His older brother was unfailingly punctual.

“That’s probably Sephen’s fault,” Auslin said with a knowing grin. “He has an extraordinary ability to distract people from the time with his passion.”

“I did not realize your brother had come to visit. I would have properly greeted him had I known.”

“You were busy and there was only so long he could resist the pull of seeing the library here,” Auslin told him with a laugh. “I’m honestly amazed he waited this long.”

“I’m looking forward to meeting your brother,” Fersen added. “You’ve told me so many stories about him I feel as if I already know him.”

“Agreed. I am curious to meet him as well,” Jaega said.

The doors to the dining hall opened. However, it was Tyrian who entered, looking somewhat harried. “My apologies for being late.”

“Did something happen?” Kitsuki asked with concern. His cousin usually had an unflappable demeanor.

“Some of our guards are superstitious, causing a commotion about a letter that arrived.” He passed it to Jaega. “There is a faint trace of a scent on it I recognized as one of your men. I tried to find you in the barracks before I realized what time it was.”

Auslin’s eyebrows raised in surprise. “You could identify a single member of the army by a residual scent on an envelope?” He shook his head. “Dragon shifters’ strong sense of smell never fails to amaze me.”

Tyrian snickered. “It is not as remarkable when you know he is a notorious flirt who has made himselfverywell known to my guards.”

Jaega turned the envelope over, then nodded to himself. “You were right to bring this to my attention, but it is for our king.” He passed the letter across the table to Kitsuki.

There was nothing on the front of the envelope, but the back had a silver wax seal with a black raven in the center. It explained the superstitious comment, as many feared ravens as harbingers of bad luck. The letter could only be from Rylan Norkon, the raven shifter who had been tasked with finding Maseo to warn him about Nasume’s atrocious behavior.

Kitsuki hesitated. On the one hand, his curiosity demanded he read it immediately, but he did not wish to ruin dinner if it was bad news. However, Kisano’s absence gave him an excuse to read it.

With a steadying breath, Kitsuki broke the seal to open the envelope. He pulled out the enclosed letter.

Your Majesty,

I must applaud your wayward pup for being so well hidden in the shadows. But I’ve learned things in the darkness about his whereabouts. I’m on my way now to see if there is any truth to the gossip about his clever hideaway place. When I find him, I will send word.

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