Page 105 of Mage of the Dragon Prince
“It has been an eventful day.” Kitaro caressed the human’s back as he held him. “Would you prefer a bath instead?”
His moan immediately grabbed the attention of Kitaro’s dragon. “That sounds divine.”
Eager to improve their night, Kitaro led the way to the bathroom, leaving a trail of their clothes behind them.
Chapter 53
Auslin
As much as Auslin wanted to avoid breakfast, Kizoshi’s hint that she might be there was enough to make him go. He had been prepared to see Mitsuki but not Nasume. The wolf shifter sat by Mitsuki’s side, arrogantly acting as if he belonged at the family table.
Auslin’s instincts demanded he flee, but he refused to give Nasume that satisfaction. He did his best to ignore the twin glares Mitsuki and Nasume were aiming his way. Kitaro’s hand resting on his thigh in silent comfort was a small consolation. It disappointed him Kizoshi wasn’t present.
Nasume broke the tense silence. “King Tatsuki?—”
Before he could finish, Kizoshi fluttered into the room. She wore a sparkling lavender dress that looked more appropriate for the previous night’s celebratory banquet than a regular breakfast. “Prince Nasume,how unexpected to see you here.” She gracefully took a seat next to Auslin.
It was a relief to have another ally at the table. Auslin glanced at her from the side, but her attention was solely focused on Nasume. She stared him down in silent intimidation.
“As I will be family soon, it seemed appropriate that I join you all for breakfast.” Nasume smirked at Auslin.
Auslin clenched his hands into fists, but he wouldn’t give Nasume the satisfaction of a reaction.
“In that case, I guess congratulations are in order, Mitsuki. I am pleased to see you finally settling down.”
Mitsuki sneered at her. “Dearest sister, you are mistaken. How unusual. Perhaps it is too early for you.”
“Why would you invite Prince Venrik to join us for breakfast if you had no intention of mating him?”
“As if I would ever settle for a man.” Mitsuki scoffed with disgust.
Kizoshi put her elbow on the table to rest her chin in her palm. “Well, then what other reason do you have to invite this despicable waste of a life to breakfast?”
“That is no way to talk about your future brother-in-law,” Nasume growled.
“We believe the bird shifter you have been engaged to would have some objections to that,” Tatsuki said from the head of the table. His voice wascalm, but the burning anger in his eyes made Nasume shrink back.
“I would rather die than mate that pigeon.”
Kizoshi’s smile was lethal. “The roads can be quite dangerous, so be careful what you wish for. Someone might just make your dream come true.”
“Are we to understand you only proposed to our son to escape your current engagement?” Tatsuki gave a warning growl. “We will not stand for such insult to our clan.”
“No! My intentions toward Kitaro are genuine,” Nasume protested.
“You are fortunate that we were feeling generous enough last night not to humiliate you publicly by rejecting your foolish proposal. We will tell your father about your hijacking our celebratory event to do such an unseemly thing. He will be most displeased with you putting your engagement in danger, as are we.”
Nasume blanched. “Fine, I retract my proposal for now.”
“Forever,” Tatsuki corrected him. Auslin’s heart soared with joy. “Let us be crystal clear. We willnevergive our consent to you matinganymember of our family. You are dismissed.”
“Feel free to never come back,” Kizoshi said in a honeyed tone. She mockingly waved goodbye, her glittery red nails sparkling in the light.
Left with no choice, Nasume angrily stormed off.
The fight was far from finished, though. Mitsukiwas still riled up over the matter. “Really, Father? You would rather Nasume mate that Laylan princess to form a new alliance than strengthen your own?”
“We would rather he never step foot in our lands again, but our alliance regrettably prevents us from issuing such a ban.” Tatsuki sniffed disdainfully. “We would never let such an unworthy person into our clan.”
