Page 100 of Mage of the Dragon Prince
It pleased the shifter to hear his words brought Vanra comfort. “I am quite confident Father will turn down such a spur-of-the-moment proposal. Our alliance with King Soseki and Kunushi is not so weak that it must be reinforced in such a manner.”
“Wait, does that mean this could happen to Kitaro with someone else from a different kingdom?”
Kisano shook his head as he withdrew his hand. “Rightly or wrongly, Father prefers conquests to alliances. He would rather start a war to take something he wants than rely on his children to mate with someone. That is why not even Kizoshi has been forced to mate for political convenience. And Powers help Father if he was ever foolish enough to make her try.”
Vanra exhaled a sigh of relief. “That’s good. I don’t know what I would do if Kitaro had to mate someone like Nasume.”
It probably wasn’t Kisano’s place, but he wanted to offer what comfort he could to his friend. “Kitaro has resisted Nasume’s advances for well over a century. You do not need to fear that Kitaro will be parted fromyou for such a reason. My brother is a fighter. He would not meekly comply with an order like that. He truly meant what he said to you.”
“Thank you, Kisano. It helps to hear it from you.”
It was an odd sentiment. “What difference does it make coming from me?”
“Because you know everything about everything,” Vanra said with a laugh. “That means what you say must be true.”
The praise overwhelmed Kisano. “I think that is going a bit far, but I speak the truth about my younger brother. He will not choose Nasume under any circumstances.”
Vanra tapped his chin as he mulled something over. “The first time we met, you told me Kitaro once had someone who was like a friend that turned out not to be. Were you talking about Nasume?”
Kisano nodded. “I was indeed. But if you wish to know more about that, it is my brother’s story to tell.”
“Thanks for reassuring me.” Vanra squared his shoulders with determination. “Okay, I feel like I can go back in and face the smug wolf shifter.”
“You are a better person than Nasume could ever be. Kitaro knows that, too. Take care, Vanra.”
“You too,” Vanra replied with a smile. “I’ll stop by again soon.”
“Please do.” Kisano always enjoyed when Vanra came for visits. Having a friend had been strange inthe beginning, but Vanra had become someone Kisano valued.
Vanra left with a wave. Kisano wasn’t particularly religious, but he said a prayer for the human. He’d certainly need it when dealing with a treacherous shifter like Nasume.
Chapter 50
Auslin
Returning to the banquet hall, Auslin ran into the person he least wanted to see. Nasume stood in his way with a challenging glare.
Auslin may have hated Nasume with every fiber of his being, but the shifter was still royalty. Auslin bowed to him respectfully, even though it made his soul rage at having to acknowledge the wolf shifter. “Good evening, Prince Nasume.” Auslin hated calling him by his first name. He didn’t want the royal to think they were on friendly terms.
“Well, you earn at least one point for being so polite.” Nasume closed the distance between them. He curled his fingers under Auslin’s chin to tilt it upward to force their gazes to meet. His amber eyes were cold and calculating. “I must admit, you are not entirely unattractive for a human. But I will not lose to the likes ofyou.”
As much as Auslin wanted to fight back, he held his tongue. “If you will excuse me, I must return to the banquet.”
Nasume stood in Auslin’s way when he tried to leave. “Know this, human. You may think that you are special to Kitaro, but I can assure you there is no place for you in his life.”
He tried not to let Nasume’s words get to him. “I believe I will defer to Kitaro’s judgment on that matter.” Auslin trusted in Kitaro’s feelings for him and used that as a shield for his heart.
“What can you offer him?” Nasume insultingly questioned. “You arenothingcompared to me.”
When that failed to get a reaction out of Auslin, Nasume slammed the human up against the wall to pin him in place. “Do you truly think yourself so special?” Nasume sneered as he loomed over Auslin. “Do you believe you are the only one who knows how he tastes?”
Auslin wouldn’t give Nasume the satisfaction of seeing him crack. He passively stared up at the wolf shifter. It was odd. That close, he swore he could almost see a resemblance to Maseo, but the half-wolf shifter Auslin knew in his time had never been so hateful and cruel. All he could see were Maseo’s sad green eyes as Kio betrayed him again. It never failed to break Auslin’s heart to see Maseo experiencing the same pain as himself.
“Kitaro was mine before you came into the picture,and I will be here long after you’re gone.” When Auslin tried to free himself, Nasume slammed him even harder against the wall. “I will not lose him, let alone to a filthyhuman.”
“You say that, but I believe Kitaro has already decided who he prefers.” Auslin was riled up enough to add, “And it’s not you.”
“Then perhaps I should find out what it is about you he finds so appealing.” Nasume’s dark amusement did not bode well for Auslin.
