Page 50 of Mage of the Dragon Prince
The look in Kitaro’s eyes was so loving in that moment that it took Auslin’s breath away. “It’s been averylong time since I have been this happy. I honestly didn’t think it was possible anymore.”
“Let us enjoy the time we have together, then.” Kitaro helped Auslin up the step to stand by his side.
“Thank you for not laughing at me,” Auslin said asthey began the walk home. “I know how stupid I must have sounded for wanting to throw a letter through the gate.”
“The impossible always seems possible around you somehow. I have already learned not to question it.”
Auslin sighed happily. “I’m relieved it worked. Not only will my brother know I’m okay, but I also didn’t look like a complete fool in front of you.”
“Even if it had not worked, I would not have thought any less of you,” Kitaro reassured him. “Fate has been fickle.”
“Thanks.” Now that Auslin knew his brother would see his letter, it took away a lot of the pressure to return to his old life immediately. Between that and freeing himself from Kio with his letter, Auslin felt like a tremendous weight had lifted off of him. Maybe now he could stop holding himself back. “You know, this whole thing was Kisano’s idea.”
The information seemed to surprise Kitaro. “It was?”
“I feel silly for not thinking of it myself.”
“He will be most pleased to hear that it worked.”
There was a bounce in Auslin’s step. “I can’t wait to tell him!”
They continued making small talk on the journey back, with Auslin feeling lighter than he had in years.
Chapter 22
Kisano
It came as a surprise when Vanra and Kitaro returned to his library later that afternoon. Kisano led them to take a seat at a nearby table. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“I took your advice about writing a letter to my brother,” Vanra said, bubbling with excitement. “Fate’s Gate accepted it, so he’ll finally know I’m safe.”
It was a story so unbelievable that it sounded like something out of one of the fantasy books Kisano loved to read. But even with his weak sense of smell, he could scent that Vanra was telling the truth. Somehow, he had successfully sent a letter through Fate’s Gate to the future. “That is incredible! I am so happy it worked. I am sure it will give him great peace of mind.”
“Thank you for giving me the idea.”
Kisano blushed at the gratitude. “I am relieved itworked. I would have felt awful if I wasted your time with such a ridiculous plan.”
“It was not ridiculous when it worked,” Kitaro reminded his older brother. “Feeling the ancient magic activate was an extraordinary sensation.”
“I doubt I would have been able to sense it.” Unlike his other siblings, Kisano had no magical abilities. “But it amazes me such ancient magic still works in our world.”
“Now that I’ve experienced it twice, I feel like an even bigger fool for assuming it was a rumor that going through the gate could rewrite your fate.” Vanra sighed as he rested his chin on his palm. “But I never imagined it would send me back in time. It sounds like something unbelievable out of a fantasy novel.”
“I have read quite a few of those types of stories. But the good news is they always end with the time traveler going back home to their original time.” Kisano hesitantly added, “There is still a chance for you to have your happy ending by returning to your time.”
“Now that my brother knows I’m safe, I’m not as stressed-out about the urgency of returning.” His expression turned pensive. “Sending the letter also helped me get some closure on some issues that make being here a lot less stressful now.”
“How so?” Kitaro asked.
“I gave my brother instructions on what to tell the two people in my time who matter to me.” Vanra shylyglanced up at Kitaro through lowered lashes. “I instructed my brother to inform my companion that things were over between us. He is free to move on to his ex that he always strayed to be with when we were together.”
The dark storm that rippled through his younger brother at the mention of the disloyalty of Vanra’s companion fascinated Kisano. He had never known Kitaro to be possessive. “I am glad you have finally freed yourself from him.”
“May I ask who the other person is?” It wasn’t Kisano’s place to question, but he was curious all the same.
Vanra hesitated. “That answer is more complicated. He’s not really a friend, but I still care about him. It always angered my companion when I showed this shifter kindness.”
“Why?”
