Page 25 of Enchanter of Dragons
The show of support touched Fersen deeply. “Thank you. I truly feel lucky to have been blessed enough to be Jaega’s fated mate.”
“I look forward to getting to know you better,” Kitaro said with a warm smile. It was impossible not to like the young prince. It was almost unbelievable how different he was from his eldest brother.
“As do I,” Tyrian added.
“Yes, but first, I must introduce him to Kisano,” Kizoshi said as she stood up from her chair. Kitaro started to stand, but she gently forced him back into his seat. “I believe you still have some things to speak with uncle about. You can join us afterward.”
Since Kizoshi’s intentions were clear, Fersen bowed low to the king. “Thank you for allowing me the honor of being part of your family. I will do everything in my power to make you proud and never bring shame to your clan.”
“The only person who brings shame to this clan is Mitsuki,” Kizoshi said with a dismissive wave of her hand. “Come, let me introduce you to my other favorite brother.”
With those words, she deftly guided Fersen out of the room, leaving his mate and the rest of his family behind. It wasn’t nearly as scary as a prospect as it would have been before meeting everyone. Jaega had been right about Kizoshi. She was fearsome, but he had nothing to fear from her.
It surprised him when she interlinked their arms as they continued walking. “Congratulations on surviving my father and Mitsuki.”
“I can’t believe you sent him through a wall!” Fersen exclaimed, still in shock that she had done it fast enough he hadn't been able to see it. How were there no consequences for doing that to the heir to the throne?
Kizoshi giggled behind her other hand. “It is one of the few ways to teach him a lesson he will remember, at least for a little while. He lacks the common sense and intelligence of the rest of us siblings. I would be more forgiving if he was not such a repugnant creature.”
“Thank you for defending me,” Fersen said. “I really didn’t expect that.”
“My uncle’s previous mate was remarkable.” The sudden switch in topics confused Fersen, but he let Kizoshi speak. “Losing her and their daughters was hard on all of us, even Father. He enjoyed sparring with Caprina’s quick wit and indulging in their daughters’ gentle kindness. My uncle became a different man after losing them. And who could blame him?”
“Certainly not me. I don’t know how he survived it at all.” His heart still broke for Jaega’s family being destroyed so senselessly.
“If it weren’t for Tyrian, we would have lost him, too.” Kizoshi was silent for a long moment before continuing. “But you will bring Uncle all the joy he has been missing and then some. For that, you will always have my eternal gratitude and support.”
The way she said it with such certainty would have confused Fersen if it weren’t for the fact she was best friends with the Fate Power. It made him realize something. “If you’re friends with Sophina, then does that mean you know how Jaega and I really met?” His stomach dropped at the thought of her knowing the shameful truth.
“That is a secret I will guard with my life,” Kizoshi swore to him. “Mitsuki heard nothing from me. He unfortunately has an imagination for that specific scenario since it is the cruelty he would indulge in if he thought Father or I would let him get away with it.”
“I believe you,” Fersen said. It was weird trusting in someone he had just met, but Kizoshi seemed to be a woman of her word. “Thank you.”
“There is no shame in your past. You are a survivor.” She patted his arm reassuringly. “The important thing is that you are here, and you are loved by Uncle and supported by all of us, except Mitsuki, of course. But he only supports himself and no one else.”
“Not even your father?” Fersen found that almost unbelievable.
She scoffed as they descended an ornate staircase. “Father is under no illusion. He is fully aware Mitsuki would stab him in the back if it meant getting what he wants.”
“And yet he is still heir to the throne? How is that possible?”
“Because there are things still to happen.” The cryptic comment was a reminder of Jaega describing his niece as “enigmatic.” He wasn’t wrong. “But enough with such heavy talk.”
She led them to a massive set of doors, which opened to reveal the largest library Fersen had ever seen before. There were bookshelves as far as he could see in all directions and higher than he would have thought possible for a single room. “Wow. This ismagnificent.”
“See, Kisano? I told you I would bring you good company. This is Fersen, Uncle Jaega’s new mate,” Kizoshi said as she led Fersen over to where a very timid dragon shifter peered from behind a bookshelf. His blond hair was so light, it was almost white. He was as pale as Fersen, and his faint markings could barely be seen. Most striking were his soulful, yellow eyes. It looked like one gust of wind would knock him over without any effort. It made sense now why Kizoshi insisted on keeping Mitsuki far away from Kisano.
Kizoshi led them over to a table, gesturing for them to take a seat. Kisano moved without sound. He was very unassuming in simple clothes that were closer to Fersen’s normal wardrobe than what he would expect the second eldest son of a king to wear.
“Your library is so impressive,” Fersen said in awe, still looking around the massive space. “I didn’t even know this many books existed.”
Kisano tucked a stray strand of hair behind his ear. “I am fortunate to have such a collection. Do you also collect books?”
It was hard not to feel pain at the memories of loss. “Because I lived in the forest by myself without a source of income, I couldn’t buy books. My friend left me hers when she moved, but they were recently destroyed in a fire.”
Fersen was stunned to see Kisano’s eyes fill with tears. “Oh, how awful. I am so sorry, Fersen.”
His sincerity touched the unicorn shifter. “Thank you. In some ways, losing those books hurt almost worse than losing the house.” He fondly remembered that Olina used to read to him when he was a child. But those were ash in a distant land now.
