Page 117 of Mage of the Dragon Prince
True to his word, Kitaro quickly returned with a few rabbits and birds in hand. It put things even more into perspective about how long Kio used to be gone on his “hunts” for dinner. Why had Auslin been willing to put up with being treated that way for so long?
He pushed the thoughts aside to greet Kitaro. “Welcome back!”
“Is this acceptable?” Kitaro brought the game closer to Auslin for approval.
“It’s wonderful.” Auslin held out his hand. “I can take care of the rabbits.”
Kitaro passed them to him, then sat near the fire. “You do not object?”
“I wouldn’t have lasted on the road for more than a few days if I did.” Auslin looked for branches long enough to cook the animals with, but there were none nearby. “I’ll go get some sticks for the fire.”
“There is no need. I can suspend it with my magic.”
It seemed there were more benefits to traveling with a full shifter than Auslin thought. “You really are amazing.”
“I am gratified that you are pleased. Did you always take care of the cooking during your travels?”
“Yeah, my companion had no patience for that. Icould barely get him to hunt for food for us. His hunts were more sexual in nature whenever he would find his ex.”
There was a dark rage in Kitaro’s blue eyes, which were rimmed with silver. “My anger toward my future relative knows no bounds.”
It warmed Auslin’s heart, but he didn’t want to ruin the shifter’s good mood. “I would have thought the young prince who lived in the lap of luxury would have brought someone along to take care of such menial things for him.” He held out the finished rabbit to Kitaro. “Work your magic, please.”
Kitaro waved his hand, and the rabbit meat floated over the silver fire, followed by one of his birds. They rotated in the air like they were on a rotisserie to cook evenly. “Father would have my head if I was incapable of hunting and cooking for myself on the road. That was some of the very first outdoor training I received when I was a child.”
Given that Tatsuki was a military man, it made sense that he would expect his children to be self-sufficient while traveling. “How fortunate for me you aren’t a spoiled prince, then.” Auslin started on the second rabbit.
“Do you have any complaints about today’s travel?” Kitaro asked.
“What’s there to complain about?” Auslin laughed as Kitaro lifted the second rabbit above the fire. They spun in tandem on the phantom rotisserie spit. “I gotto enjoy a fun ride and not walk myself into exhaustion like normal. And I didn’t get yelled at once!”
Kitaro’s gaze softened. “Was my flying too rough or uncomfortable?”
Auslin leaned over and kissed Kitaro. “Everything was perfect today. I literally can’t remember the last time I enjoyed traveling this much.”
“I am glad it was not too arduous. I worried you were perhaps too polite to complain.”
“It was anything but,” Auslin reassured him.
The food finished cooking quickly. The taste of rabbit meat made Auslin oddly nostalgic. “Today has been amazing.”
“Are you sure you do not wish to spend the night in a hotel in Wandril? It is not much farther.”
“No, it’s been so long since I’ve been able to look at the stars.” Auslin looked to the sky, enjoying the glittering light. “They always look so much prettier when you’re not in the city. Besides, sleeping next to you and a fire brings back memories of how we met.”
Kitaro grinned. “It is a pity being naked outdoors is a terrible idea.”
Auslin laughed, amazed at how carefree he felt despite knowing the journey that lay ahead. “I worry about going to most towns, though. Because I travel so much, I know shifters in almost all the kingdoms of Talwyn. The risk of running into someone in the past who knows me in the future is too risky. I’m too scaredI’ll mess up the future by accidentally doing or saying the wrong thing now.”
“You are wise to be concerned. So long as you are comfortable, I do not mind enjoying the great outdoors with you.”
“Thank you. You’re the best.” It was just one more reason why leaving Kitaro would be impossible.
Chapter 60
Kitaro
They were two weeks into their journey when Vanra’s heat hit. It left Kitaro deeply conflicted. The enchanted amulet that hid Vanra’s scent weakened him too much to be practical while traveling, but not wearing it meant his heat would broadcast to any shifter they passed. That would open them up to the possibility of a problematic interaction.
