Page 88 of Consort of the Dragon King

Given Norkon’s success, Kitsuki wasn’t opposed to using him in the future if the need arose. “As promised, you will receive a sizable bonus for finding Maseo. General Jaega will make the arrangements.”

“It was my honor to do your bidding, Your Majesty.” Norkon got up with a formal bow. “Should the need arise, I would be happy to assist you again.”

“I will keep it in mind. Thank you for your service.”

Norkon bowed again before exiting.

Kitsuki waited several minutes before he caved to his curiosity. He opened Maseo’s letter. The opening thanking him for the warning was unfailingly polite, much like Maseo alwayswas whenever Kitsuki had encountered him. But it was his confessions that caused the shifter king to react.

Why did it make Kitsuki happy to hear Maseo’s heart was full of gratitude, love, and admiration because of the protection offered to him? The mention of love should have made Kitsuki uncomfortable, but his dragon was practically purring over it and bringing joy to Maseo.

Kitsuki continued reading.

Thank you for giving me the grace of seeing me as something more than Nasume’s bastard son and Kio’s disgusting indiscretion. I selfishly wish I knew what I was to you, but it is enough for now to know you care about me at all.

The galling thing was Kitsuki cared for Maseo—and cared so much he didn’t understand his own reaction. Why did his dragon keep reacting to Maseo? It left Kitsuki unsettled because it ran a lot deeper than the guilt over him being careless with his taunts to Nasume. His dragon derived too much pleasure from knowing Maseo now wore his protective ring.

The next part of Maseo’s letter surprised Kitsuki.

As proof that Lieutenant Norkon found the real me, I am entrusting you with the sole relic I have left of my dear mother. Her wish pendant is the only thing I treasure more than the ring you gaveme. I would not trust it with anyone but you. Please take good care of it until our paths cross again.

Now that Kitsuki knew the origins of Maseo’s necklace, he couldn’t believe the half-wolf shifter had parted with it. It imbued Kitsuki with a sense of duty to protect the necklace until he could reunite with Maseo. He had no idea when that would be, but his dragon’s eagerness to be near Maseo again troubled Kitsuki.

He took the necklace out of the pouch to study it more closely. In all their run-ins, Kitsuki had never noticed the orb contained a trace amount of the Wish Power’s magic. The soft indigo glow pulsated between blue and purple when Kitsuki held the pendant in his palm. He had heard of wishing trinkets before, but he had never come across one that had harnessed actual Divine magic of Mireya.

Although Kitsuki was not prone to making wishes, he couldn’t resist the urge.Please let Maseo return to me safely. The orb’s magic pulsated as it accepted his plea.

What he was unprepared for was hearing Maseo’s voice resonate within his soul in response. “I wish I could have a place in King Kitsuki’s and Auslin’s lives. If you can only grant one wish for the rest of my life, let it be that one, Mother. It’s the only chance I’ll ever have of finding happiness.”

The only thing more shocking than Maseo’s wish was how Kitsuki’s dragon reacted. He absorbed the wish, which resonated through his body with every beat of Kitsuki’s heart. Its power was inescapable, as was his dragon’s nearly feral response to it, possessively echoing in the depths of Kitsuki’s soul, “Ours!He’s ours. Make him ours!”

It was all too much for Kitsuki to process. Why would Maseo wish to be with KitsukiandAuslin to find happiness?

“There is a reason our sister insists one is never enough for an Ariake,” Kitsuki’s dragon reminded him.

Kitsuki vehemently refused. He would never betray Auslin by desiring another.

His dragon continued persuading him to change his mind. “It’s not a betrayal when Auslin wants him, too.”

Kitsuki was so lost in his internal struggle he almost missed the knock on his door. Auslin appeared with a warm smile, which faltered when he saw Kitsuki. “Oh, no. What’s wrong?”

The dragon king cursed not being able to hide Maseo’s necklace before his intended had entered. It was fortunate Kitsuki had enough paperwork on his desk that the half-shifter’s letter blended into the piles. He would never lie to Auslin, but he wasn’t ready to share the contents of Maseo’s letter yet.

Kitsuki gestured with his empty hand for Auslin to take a seat where Norkon had just been. “I have received news.” He toyed with the orb pendant under the desk. “The scout I sent to warn Maseo reported back his findings. In his search, he’s discovered Nasume might be plotting something nefarious.”

“Against you or in general?”

“Rumors imply Nasume may intend to start a war.”

Auslin blanched at the information. “What did Kizoshi say?”

Kitsuki shook his head. “I have not yet spoken with her about it. I only found out right before you entered.”

“What about Maseo? Was the scout able to find him?”

“He was successful. Maseo is well hidden from his father for now.” Kitsuki hesitated before bringing his hand up to show Auslin the necklace. “He said Maseo is entrusting this to me as proof he delivered his warning to the right person.”

Auslin reached out to touch the dangling pendant. “Entrusting?”

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