Page 93 of Consort of the Dragon King

Kio scoffed at the threat. “That’s awfully big talk for someone who doesn’t even have a sword on him.”

“I do not need one to end your life.” Kitsuki summoned his silver dragon fire to his hand.

“Bring it on, asshole. Because I’ll kill Auslin myself before I let him become your mate for eternity,” Kio snarled. “And once I’m done murdering you two assholes, I’ll kill Maseo next!” He launched himself at Kitsuki again as Auslin cried out for them to stop.

Kitsuki’s dragon surged to the forefront, giving his magic more strength. He was vicious as he exacted revenge for besmirching his name and for attempting to harm Auslin and Maseo. Kio’s sword offered him no defense against fire attacks, which burned him as he screamed in pain.

The only thing that stopped Kitsuki’s dragon was the scent of Auslin’s anguish. He used his magic to haul Kio off the ground, where he struggled to gasp for air. The temptation to strangle him to death was hard to resist. But he offered Kio a final chance to save his life. Kitsuki’s eyes swirled with the silver power of his dragon. “Have you had enough, mongrel?”

“I’m never going to stop until I’ve ruined your happiness,” Kio spat. He struggled to free himself, kicking his feet to find traction where there was none. “Auslin is mine! I’ll be damned if I let you take himandMaseo from me, you bastard! I’ll kill you all!”

“Wrong answer,” Kitsuki’s dragon said in an icy tone. He tightened his hold on Kio’s throat with his magic.

Auslin tugged on Kitsuki’s outstretched arm. “Please stop! It’s enough.”

Kitsuki’s dragon did not relent until the fight went out of Kio’s body. He dropped him hard to the ground with a sickeningthud. Kio coughed and gasped for air as he writhed on the cobblestones.

The dragon king gestured for Tyrian to summon his guards. “Put this foul creature in the dungeon where he belongs.” Kitsuki’s dragon retreated as the threat was over. “He is to have a guard on him at all times.”

The guards immediately moved into action, dragging Kio away to the castle’s dungeon as he groaned in pain.

“Come, let us move inside.” Kitsuki knew Auslin would confront him about what happened, but he didn’t want it to be in front of witnesses.

Once they were alone in their room, Auslin turned on Kitsuki. “Promise me you won’t kill Kio.”

“He will live,” Kitsuki’s said. The unspoken “unfortunately” hung heavily in the air between them. “As much as I wish to banish him to the Beyond Realm for his heinous transgressions, I cannot do so when you will blame yourself.”

It surprised him when Auslin looked down, radiating misery. “I know it would be better for us if I let you kill him, like your instincts demand. But I justcan’t.”

Kitsuki caressed Auslin’s cheek, then lifted his face. “Do not feel badly, Auslin. Your human compassion is what makes youso exceptional. Kio is not worth another second of sadness in your life.” When Auslin continued to struggle, Kitsuki added, “Kio will remain in the dungeon so he cannot interfere with our Fatebonding ceremony tomorrow. It will also keep Maseo safe from Kio’s murderous rage.”

Auslin’s gaze searched Kitsuki’s face for an answer. “What did he mean when he said your magic protects Maseo because of a ring?”

Kitsuki walked over to the seating area to give him time to compose himself before answering. The fireplace activated with his silver dragon fire as he sat down on the couch in front of it. “Exactly what he said.”

Auslin sat beside him. “I thought all you did was send a messenger to warn Maseo?”

The subject made Kitsuki deeply uncomfortable, especially when he instinctively reached for the pendant he protected for the half-wolf shifter. “That was my original intention.”

“But you changed your mind?”

“I feared a warning would not be enough of a defense for Maseo when he cannot protect himself with magic. Fersen created a ring from my powers, which was delivered to Maseo with the letter.”

Auslin looked at Kitsuki with curiosity. “Why didn’t you tell me?” It was a relief there was no trace of accusation in his tone. “Knowing that makes me feel better, not worse.”

Kitsuki remained silent for several long moments before answering. “Because I am uneasy with the way my dragon reacts to Maseo. We should not care about him, let alone so strongly.”

“Does it make you angry I worry about Maseo so much? That I want to show him he could have a happiness like ours?”

“No, because your heart overflows with kindness.”

Auslin arched a challenging eyebrow. “Is your dragon threatened by how much I want to protect Maseo from Nasume and Kio? Does he think I love you any less because I can’t stop thinking about whether Maseo is safe on his own?”

Kitsuki shook his head. “Shockingly, my dragon does not see your interest in Maseo as suspicious. You would not be you if you did not care for his welfare.”

Auslin took hold of Kitsuki’s hand, absentmindedly tracing the shifter markings on the back of it. “Then why is it a problem when you feel the same way as me about him?”

“Because it feels dangerous.”

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