Page 99 of Mage of the Dragon Prince
“You’re not the problem!” It gratified Kitaro to hear Vanra’s instant defense of him. “What if your father thinks it’s a great idea? What if he forces you to mate with Nasume?”
Kitaro interlaced their fingers and gave the human’s hand a squeeze. “Even if my father were to do something so unreasonable, I would sooner be disowned than mate Nasume.”
“Really?” There was a note of hope in his voice.
“Nasume continues to persist under the delusion that I am interested in him romantically,” Kitaro explained. “I would rather die alone than be mated to him.”
“I know that shouldn’t make me feel happy, but it does,” Vanra sheepishly admitted. “I really hope it doesn’t come to that, though.”
Kitaro’s dragon drove him to kiss the back of Vanra’s hand. “As long as I have you, I need nothing else.”
Vanra’s eyelashes fluttered as he blushed. The scent of his happiness replaced his upset. It was one of Kitaro’s favorite smells, next to Vanra’s heat. “That’s really sweet.”
“It is also the truth.” Kitaro stroked the human’s hand with his thumb. “Please return to the banquet with me. I do not wish Nasume to think he has won a victory over you.”
“It’s more suspicious that you’re gone than me,” Vanra protested. “I will follow in a few minutes. I just want to get my head together first. And if I come back alone, it at least gives the illusion I returned without being prodded.”
Kitaro understood the need for Vanra to maintain his dignity under the awful circumstances. He stood up, then bent down to kiss Vanra sweetly on the lips. “Very well. I shall see you soon. Please do not keep me waiting for too long, though.”
Chapter 49
Kisano
Kisano waited until his younger brother left to approach Vanra. “I can leave if you would prefer to be alone.” He had stayed back for fear of encroaching on what seemed to be a private pain.
“No, I could never kick you out of your own library,” Vanra warmly said. “Want to hang out with me for a little while? I’m not in a rush to get back to that banquet.”
“I am always happy to keep you company.” Kisano sat down beside his friend.
“Why didn’t I see you at the banquet earlier?”
The shifter wrinkled his nose with distaste. “There is no place for me in a celebration of warriors. Besides, I could not handle being around so many forceful peoplewho think I am worthless.”
Vanra frowned. “I know you always tell me not to let it bother me, but it really upsets me they treat you that way.”
“That is because you are too kind.” Kisano’s cheeks flushed. “I do not blame them for ignoring me. I dare say it is the preferable alternative.”
“You are better company than they deserve.” Vanra definitively stated. “There’s not a brain between them if they can’t understand you’re a better tactician than any of them.”
“Only theoretically. Their centuries of actual battlefield experience easily beats that.”
Vanra shook his head. “You really don’t give yourself enough credit. But I’m determined to make you see how incredible you are.”
It was still hard to accept Vanra’s praise. “I do not know if it is possible, but if anyone can do it, it would be you.”
Vanra’s shoulders slumped. “I wish I could stay here with you instead of going back there.”
“Because of Nasume?”
The human nodded. “He proposed to Kitaro in front of everyone at the banquet.”
Kisano’s amber eyes went wide in shock. “Surely, he did not do such a foolish thing!”
“He absolutely did.” Vanra irritably ran his fingers through his hair with a frustrated growl. “Most upsetting of all is your father didn’t turn him down.”
Kisano hesitated before he reached over to squeeze Vanra’s arm in solidarity. “That does not mean he agrees with the idea. Nasume put him into a position where Father could not afford to reject him in front of so many important people.”
Vanra placed his hand over Kisano’s. “As always, your rational logic makes me feel better.”
