Page 106 of Mage of the Dragon Prince
“And yet you lethimin,” Mitsuki snarled, pointing to Auslin. “He is more unworthy and a public embarrassment to our good name.”
“You are obviously so upset about losing Nasume that you are unwisely choosing to insult Vanra.” Kizoshi’s tone was jovial, but her lightheartedness failed to reach her eyes. “Perhaps it would be best for you to go after him instead of making a further fool of yourself. You two deserve each other.”
Mitsuki stood up with a loud scrape of his chair against the slate floor. “So good of you to stop by for a visit, sister,” Mitsuki sarcastically spat.
“It is always my pleasure to ruin your day.” Kizoshi blew him a kiss. After Mitsuki angrily left the room, Kizoshi turned to her father with a bright smile. “This is the part where you tell me to stop tormenting my older brother, is it not?”
“He is fortunate that is his only punishment for the time being.” Tatsuki frowned with concern. “His behavior is becoming increasingly deplorable.”
“I would happily stay longer and help withdisciplining him. Uncle Jaega and I could come up with something suitable to give him a permanent attitude adjustment.”
The way Kizoshi said, “suitable,” made Auslin wonder what she wanted to do. He could only imagine the violence she was capable of based on what he knew of her as the War Power from his time.
“Brother, why did you say nothing in your own defense?” Kizoshi asked Kitaro.
Kitaro radiated amusement. “It has been some time since your last visit. I did not want to deny you your fun.”
“You are always so good to me.” Kizoshi looked at him with fondness. “I have dearly missed you. Perhaps I shall have to make it a point to visit more often now that I have even more reasons to come.” Her gaze momentarily drifted over to Auslin.
Kitaro also turned his attention to him. “Are you well, Vanra? You were silent during the exchange.”
Auslin shrugged. “I figured speaking up would only make things worse. I didn’t want to cause any more problems.”
“He was enjoying the show,” Kizoshi stage-whispered behind her hand to Kitaro, making them all laugh. “What an enjoyable breakfast this has been. And the food has not even been served yet.”
“Always the troublemaker,” Tatsuki said, but there was no reproach in his tone. “We are unsure if that makes you more like us or your mother.”
“It is safe to say I am perfectly split down the middle,” Kizoshi grinned. “After all, dragon shifters enjoy some fun mischief, and Powers are forever toying with people’s lives. I am the best of both worlds.”
“Yes, you are. But try not to start a civil war within this clan to practice for your future duties.” The fondness in his eyes for his only daughter ruined Tatsuki’s admonishment. Maybe there was something to Kisano’s theory that Kizoshi was the favorite child after all.
She playfully pouted. “You so rarely let me get to have real fun.”
“Perhaps if you visited more often, we would be more inclined.” Tatsuki gestured for the servants to serve breakfast. “And speaking of real fun, how is your dear mother?”
“She is very satisfied with your victory in Galinor.”
“Satisfied enough to pay us a visit?”
Kizoshi shrugged. “That is entirely up to her.”
“Only because I cannot cross into the Divine Realm.” Tatsuki continued eating. “But it is fine. We will bide our time until our next encounter.”
Auslin tried not to panic at the thought of meeting Arenthia. He had heard the legends about her, and she sounded downright terrifying. But his fear lessened as he watched the father and daughter banter in such a jovial manner.
Their exchange shocked Auslin. He had alwaysimagined Kizoshi as the ferocious War Power in his time, so seeing her playful interactions was surreal for Auslin. It was just as strange as seeing Tatsuki, the infamous and brutal warlord, looking at his daughter with such love and devotion. Auslin had only known the legends about them, so he was grateful for the privilege of getting to know them as people. It was a surprising upside to his unexpected adventure.
Chapter 54
Kitaro
After breakfast, Kitaro sought his sister when Vanra went to train with Uncle Jaega.
“Are you here to thank me?” Kizoshi teased as she invited him to sit down in her living room.
Kitaro sat on a chair in front of the fireplace. “You know I appreciate your help with dealing with Nasume.” Her impeccable timing had helped her save him from the wolf shifter on more than one occasion. But Kitaro had other concerns. “Why are you so interested in Vanra?”
She steepled her fingers. “For a similar reason to you, Kisano, and Father. I find him fascinating.”
