Page 23 of Enchanter of Dragons
“Thank you for restoring my beloved uncle’s happiness.” She gave his hand another squeeze before letting go. “I have already called a family meeting to introduce you.”
Fersen’s eyes went wide with fear at the news.
She grinned in response. “Judging by that reaction, I am assuming Uncle has warned you about how awful Mitsuki is?”
Fersen could only nod his head.
“That is why I am here to make sure he does not step a single foot out of line. Should Mitsuki be as disagreeable as normal, please know I willgreatlyenjoy punishing him on your behalf.” Her smile was downright sadistic, making Jaega laugh at his niece’s antics. “Everyone will be there except for Kisano because I never allow Mitsuki to be near him. But I will take you to meet Kisano in the library later. Please do not think ill of him for not being there.”
“With everything I’ve heard about Mitsuki,Ibarely want to be there,” Fersen said with a nervous laugh. “I don’t blame Kisano for wanting to stay in the library. I’m ready to hide there myself.”
Kizoshi wrapped her arm around his shoulders as she led him toward the door. “All will be well. You shall see.”
Once she released him to lead the way, Jaega rested his hand on the small of Fersen’s back to reassure him. “She is right. You have nothing to fear.” Jaega added through their telepathic bond, “Trust me, Mitsuki will be more focused on Kizoshi than you. The odds he will get enraged by her and storm out areveryhigh.You probably won’t exchange a single word with him.”
Fersen still seemed unconvinced, so Jaega projected feelings of love and affection for his nervous mate. He would protect his mate, even if it was against a member of his own family.
Chapter16
Fersen
Nerves churned in Fersen’s stomach as they approached the meeting room, where he was to be introduced to Jaega’s family. He wanted to throw up and run away, but he owed it to his mate to make a good impression. But it was hard to do when he had never met royalty before and was uncomfortable around groups of people—especially when one was poised to cause problems like Mitsuki.
“Remember, you are clan now,” Kizoshi counseled Fersen. “That means you are under not just Jaega’s protection but mine and Kitaro’s as well.”
With those words, she gestured for a servant to open the oversized wooden doors. Fersen’s heart was in his throat, but Kizoshi glided in with the confidence he could only dream about having. With the way her gown fluttered, it gave her the appearance of an ethereal being who floated effortlessly.
King Tatsuki sat at the head of the long, wooden table. Despite sitting down, he appeared to be even larger than Jaega, which hardly seemed possible to Fersen. He was bare-chested, showing off his elaborate, red shifter markings that looked like flowing lava. His expression was neutral as his glowing red eyes assessed Fersen when he approached.
To King Tatsuki’s right, a dour man dressed all in black barely paid Fersen any attention. His sights were set squarely on Kizoshi, tracking her like a hunter with their prey. She didn’t seem the least bit bothered by it.
On the king’s left was a younger shifter with flowing, white hair. His eyes were a piercing blue but filled with warmth and kindness, as was his welcoming smile.
It wasn’t hard to tell which one was Mitsuki and Kitaro. Despite Fersen’s nervousness, Kitaro’s friendly demeanor set him at ease.
Kizoshi sat next to Kitaro, evenly meeting Mitsuki’s irate glare with an amused one of her own. But Fersen didn’t miss the edge of ice in it that silently warned Mitsuki to be on his best behavior or else.
On Mitsuki’s right was a shifter with a striking resemblance to Jaega. It could only be his son, Tyrian.
Jaega stood behind Fersen, resting a firm hand on his shoulder. It helped ground the unicorn shifter, as did feeling the love and support through their bond.
“Welcome back from another successful campaign, Uncle,” Kitaro greeted Jaega.
“It is good that you are back, safe and sound,” Tyrian added. The love in his eyes as he looked at his father warmed Fersen’s heart.
“We are pleased with your easy victory,” King Tatsuki added. “We knew that pathetic excuse for a king would be no match for you.”
Fersen tensed at the mention of King Decius, but he kept a tight lid on his emotions. A negative reaction would all but broadcast his relationship with the dead ruler.
“Thank you for the warm welcome home,” Jaega said from behind Fersen. “I am grateful Kizoshi gathered you today so I could introduce you to my new mate, Fersen Rohesia.”
“How unlike you to bring home a war trophy, Uncle.” Mitsuki’s cruel sneer made Fersen shrink back from him.
“Do not be crude, Mitsuki,” King Tatsuki warned in a tone that was laced with a threat of violence. “We will not humor your disrespect to Jaega’s new mate.”
“And you know I wouldloveto be the one to punish you,” Kizoshi reminded him with a playful wave to draw attention to herself. “Just say the word, and I’ll put you through another wall with great pleasure.”
Fersen had never seen somebody with so much hate and anger in their eyes as the vile contempt Mitsuki held for his younger sister. “I cannot see why you bothered to grace us with your presence at all.”
