Page 67 of Consort of the Dragon King

“You have wanted to protect him long before this situation arose.” Her all-knowing gaze left Kitsuki unsettled. “Do you think all those times you stopped Kio from hurting Maseo means nothing?”

It was a question that made Kitsuki deeply uncomfortable. “Are you suggesting I have an ulterior interest in Maseo?”

“You do not find it strange you feel the same impulse to protect him the way you do with Auslin?”

Kitsuki scowled. “It was not the same at all. Auslin reminded me of my long-lost Vanra. I have no reason to protect Maseo.”

“And yet you did.” She gave her brother a challenging look. “Do you truly think that means nothing?”

It meant more than nothing, which troubled Kitsuki. “I love only Auslin.”

“Loving Auslin does not prevent you from having feelings for Maseo.”

The implication outraged Kitsuki. “I donothave feelings for Maseo!”

“If that were true, then why are you so upset right now?” She didn’t back down from asking questions Kitsuki didn’t want to consider. “Why does the idea of Nasume hurting Maseo pain your heart so much? Do you think guilt alone would make it so hard to breathe because you are not there to save him?”

The persistent tightness of Kitsuki’s chest whenever he thought about Maseo in peril left the shifter king uneasy. “What are you implying?”

To his surprise, she gave him a direct answer. “Maseo has a place in your heart for more reasons than mere guilt over one isolated incident with his father.” Somehow, it was worse hearing her state it so plainly. “We have spoken about this before.”

His brow wrinkled in confusion. “When?”

“Think back, brother. It was a long, long time ago.” When he didn’t respond, she added, “Father spoke to you about this as well.”

Indignation flared within him. “I do not ascribe to the mistaken belief that members of the Ariake clan cannot be satisfied with one love.”

“I once told you if anyone deserved to be loved by many, it was you.”

Some of Kitsuki’s anger bled into his tone. “I will not betray Auslin by chasing after Maseo like our pathetic half brother! I would never hurt him with such shameful behavior. Quite frankly, I resent the implication.”

His vehement reaction didn't stop her tough line of questioning. “Has it ever occurred to you Auslin has his own reasons for being so concerned with Maseo’s well-being?” She continued when he remained silent. “Do you not find his passionate defense of Maseo strange, given their long history of shared heartache?”

“Auslin’s heart is so pure, he cannot help but feel compassion for someone as wretched as Maseo.” Kitsuki huffed in indignation. “It does not mean he is in love with Maseo.”

“Even though Auslin is also a member of the Ariake clan?”

Her question stopped Kitsuki short. “So is Kisano, but he clearly only has eyes for Sephen.”

She laughed behind her hand. “For now. Their story is only beginning.”

“There is no better partner for Kisano in all the Living Realm than Sephen.”

“Agreed.” Her acquiescence to his point made him suspicious.

Kitsuki rubbed his forehead with a heavy sigh. “Why do I always end up with more questions and a headache when you speak like this?”

“Because you are in denial about the truth of the situation.”

“I amnotin love with Maseo,” Kitsuki heatedly denied.

“Would you not breathe easier if he were standing in front of you so you could see with your own eyes he is safe from anyone who seeks to harm him?”

The fact that it would indeed make Kitsuki feel better bothered him a great deal. “It does not mean I am in love with him.”

“If Nasume hurt Maseo, what would your dragon tell you to do?”

“Tear Nasume from limb to limb and burn Kunushi to the ground,” his dragon answered in his mind. “Rid this realm and everyone in it of Nasume’s danger, once and for all.”

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