Page 90 of Consort of the Dragon King

Kitsuki pulled Auslin into a hug. “Forgive me. You have been my world since we first met. It is why the thought of letting Maseo close troubles me so. My dragon’s conviction about being Maseo’s protector is so frightening.”

“Caring about Maseo does not mean you love me any less,” Auslin reassured him, stroking his hair. “It’s a testament to how wonderful you are that your heart has room to care about taking care of us both. That’s why I’m not worried. Your dragon is right. Maseo isoursto protect, and I’ll be fighting for him with you. We’ll save him, Kitsuki. Then you can return his mother’s necklace, and all will be well in the world once more.”

Kitsuki held Auslin closer, hiding his face against his intended’s chest. His embrace, combined with the warm glow of Maseo’s pendant, reassured Kitsuki. No matter what, he would protect what was his, even if he never expected Maseo to belong to him in any capacity. But if Auslin was willing to defend Maseo, then Kitsuki would fight at his side to save the half-wolf shifter.

Chapter 42

Maseo

One of the nicest parts of staying in Fordani was enjoying the late-night walks on the sandy beaches. The waves crashing against the shore as Maseo walked alone brought him a rare source of comfort. His mood had been surprisingly bright after his encounter with Rylan, who had given Maseo the ring from Kitsuki. The presence of his magic embracing Maseo made the half-wolf shifter feel less lonely for the first time in his life.

He reflexively reached up to touch the spot where his mother’s necklace normally hung. After entrusting it to Rylan to deliver it to Kitsuki, Maseo sometimes forgot it wasn’t there anymore. He felt almost naked without its reassuring presence, but he knew entrusting his wish pendant to Kitsuki had been the right decision.

“I thought I smelled a fucking loser,” someone sneered behind him.

Maseo froze at the sound of Kio’s voice. How had that bastard found him? He reminded himself Kitsuki’s ring should protect him against any violence Kio might unleash on him. It was theonly reason he felt safe enough to turn around and confront his ex. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

“Is that any way to talk to the only man in the Living Realm still willing to suck your dick?”

“I’d rather let it fall off than let you near it again,” Maseo snapped.

Kio’s smile was vicious. “You should fall to your knees and gratefully suck mine for being willing to even talk to you.”

“I have nothing to say to you.” Maseo stood his ground. “Go find someone else to abuse. I thought I made it clear last time that I’m done with your bullshit for good.”

“Do you really think you’ll find anyone else who will lower themselves to fuck you?” Kio taunted.

Maseo’s temper flared. Kio’s question playing on Maseo’s insecurities, but he refused to give that asshole the win. “I’d rather be celibate the rest of my life than let you fuck me again.”

“What, you suddenly think you’re too good for me now?” Kio snarled. “You fucking owe me.”

“I don’t owe you shit.” Maseo stared down Kio’s hateful glare. “If I’m so pathetic, why do you want anything to do with me, anyway?”

“Because someone needs to put you in your fucking place.” Kio moved closer to Maseo with a menacing air.

It took a supreme effort for the half-wolf shifter not to step back to put more distance between them. “Fuck you. Go away.”

“You don’t get to tell meno,” Kio snarled before launching himself in Maseo’s direction.

It shocked them both when Kio bounced off an invisible barrier, which suddenly surrounded Maseo. Kio fell on the sand with a swear. Maseo didn’t have time to rejoice because he saw Kio’s nostrils flare as he got to his feet. “What. The.Fuck?” Kio’s rage hit a new high. “How in the three Realms is my asshole half brother’s magic protectingyou?”

Maseo didn’t dare answer.

“It’s bad enough that motherfucker stole Auslin from me. But now he fucking stole you, too?” Kio’s outraged noise made Maseo flinch instinctively from the violent anger he had been on the receiving end of one too many times.

“Auslin came back?” Maseo did his best to control his reaction. The last thing he needed was for Kio to scent his elation. He had feared something terrible had happened to the mage when he disappeared without a trace.

The murderous look on Kio’s face terrified Maseo. “Yes, and that ungrateful piece of shit had the audacity to claim he loved the Ice King and not me.” Kio snorted. “As if I would ever fucking believe that. That asshole’s own mother probably couldn’t love him, let alone Auslin.”

Not for the first time did Maseo wonder what had happened in the two years since he had last seen Auslin and Kitsuki. How had they gotten together? “Auslin?—”

Kio didn’t let Maseo finish his sentence. “Auslin is a traitorous piece of shit! He let my bastard half brother put a claiming mark on him. As if I’d ever let Auslin mate anyone else.” His hand lowered to his sword hilt on his hip. “I’d rather kill Auslin than let Kitsuki have him. And nowyou.”

All of Maseo’s instincts screamed at him to run away from the danger. But he remained rooted in place as Kio took another threatening step toward him. Kio snarled, “Explain yourself before I cut off your fucking tongue, you ungrateful bastard.”

“I haven’t done anything with Kitsuki,” Maseo denied. “I know you can smell that’s true.”

“Then how the fuck did his magic protect you?” Kio looked around the desolate beach. “Hey, show yourself, you fucking coward! Come fight me like the man you claim to be!”

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