Page 73 of Mage of the Dragon Prince
“I’ll look forward to it,” Auslin replied with a bow of his head.
“We shall summon you later. For tonight, we believe it would be best if you were to return to Kitaro. He is surely anxious over the purpose of my summons. Go put his mind at ease.”
“Thank you for taking the time to speak with me tonight.” Auslin stood up and bowed once more. “I wish you a pleasant rest of the evening, Father.”
Tatsuki remained on the veranda, looking deep in thought.
Auslin reflected on their conversation as he headed back to his room. Thus, it came as a surprise when he rounded a corner and ran into Mitsuki.
The shifter brushed his clothes off, as if the bump had dirtied them. “You dare to inflict your presence on me?”
Auslin bristled but kept his temper in check. The last thing he wanted to do was get into a fight without Kitaro there to protect him. He gave a formal bow. “My sincerest apologies, Prince Mitsuki. I will leave at once.”
When Auslin tried to step around him, Mitsuki stopped him. He glared down at the mage with disgust. “So, now you are my father’s whore as well? Is Kitaro not enough for you?”
“I know you can smell I haven’t done anything with anyone,” Auslin said with more bravery than he felt.
The shifter closed the distance between them, getting into Auslin’s personal space. “That does not mean you do not want to.”
Auslin stood his ground instead of stepping back like his instincts were screaming at him to do. “I have no intentions of becoming anyone’s whore.”
Mitsuki ran his claws up Auslin’s neck, then tilted his chin up to force their gazes. “Then exactly what worth do you have?” He wrapped his fingers around Auslin’s neck, smirking when it made the human gulp in fear. “What other reason do we have to keep you alive?”
“Your father’s promise he would protect me as part of this clan.”
“I willneverrecognize you as clan,” Mitsuki hissed. He tightened his grip on Auslin’s neck, causing him to gasp for air. “I would rather see you dead.”
“I’ve done nothing to you!” Auslin protested in a strangled voice.
“You have brought embarrassment and shame upon this great family,” Mitsuki snarled. He used his grip to slam Auslin hard against the wall. “Perhaps I should remind you of your place.”
“What, under you?” Auslin sarcastically retorted.
Mitsuki leaned close enough that they were a mere breath away from kissing. “You should be so lucky, human worm.”
Auslin made a scoffing noisethat ended in a choke when Mitsuki once again tightened his grip. His nails dug into Auslin’s neck, drawing blood.
Mitsuki watched the small rivulets of blood slowly dripping down Auslin’s neck, his expression one of a predator about to devour its prey. Auslin’s body went rigid with shock when Mitsuki leaned down to lick the blood off with a satisfied rumble. “Your fear tastes delicious,” Mitsuki murmured with a dark laugh as Auslin’s terror spiked. “Maybe there is some use for you, after all.”
Auslin’s heart hammered. “If I’m so disgusting, why would you want to touch me?” He knew he could break free of Mitsuki if he used his powers, but he was too terrified of the repercussions.
“I think I could endure it for the reward of ruining you. My little brother would be disgusted enough to put you out on the streets, where you belong with the rest of the scum of the earth.” Mitsuki’s grin was savage. “I would also deriveimmensepleasure from scarring you for life.”
“Your father would never allow it! Neither would Kitaro.”
“I would happily undergo any punishment for that.” Mitsuki’s expression turned sadistic. “If I will be punished for it, I may as well make it count.”
Auslin didn’t want to give Mitsuki the satisfaction of begging, but his self-preservation demanded it. “Please don’t.”
“Oh, I will enjoy making you beg,” Mitsuki purred.
The mage refused to give him the satisfaction of an answer. He’d rather use his powers than let Mitsuki put him in that kind of situation.
“I shall have to get creative in ways to torture you.” Mitsuki’s black eyes flashed gold as his dragon surfaced.
Auslin stoically said nothing, knowing it would deny Mitsuki what he wanted.
“I willbreakyou,” Mitsuki promised, caressing Auslin’s throat. “And I will enjoy every single second.”
