Page 132 of Mage of the Dragon Prince
“I never meant to give you that impression.” Kitaro and his dragon were remorseful. “I was more preoccupied by the dilemma of what to do than I had realized.”
“I’m just relieved you don’t hate me.”
“I am incapable of hating you.” Kitaro tenderly kissed Vanra, who melted against him.
When they parted, Vanra looked up at Kitaro. “Can we go home now?”
It made Kitaro endlessly happy that Vanra referred to the family castle as home. He reached out and took Vanra’s hand in his, interlacing their fingers as they walked. “Let us return home.”
Chapter 68
Auslin
They had only been back long enough to change out of their traveling clothes before a servant appeared to summon Auslin to meet with Tatsuki. Kitaro had specifically been ordered not to attend, which worried Auslin.
The door slid open in silent permission to enter the room. Auslin walked over to the veranda where Tatsuki was waiting for him. He bowed to the monarch. “It is good to see you again, Father. I hope you are well.”
“Welcome back, Vanra.” Tatsuki gestured toward an earthen stoneware tea set. “Help yourself.”
Auslin helped himself to a cup of hot tea that warmed his hands. “Thank you. It’s good to be back.” He waited for it to cool to where he could drink it without burning himself. “It feels like we’ve been gone forever.”
“You made good time.” Tatsuki took a sip. “How was your journey?”
Auslin took a drink. “It was almost without incident.”
Tatsuki arched an eyebrow. “Almost?”
“A group of snake shifters ambushed us in Arenvale on our way to Satsuma’s.” Auslin rubbed his side, where there was no remaining evidence of their attack.
“Those insolent fools!” Tatsuki bellowed.
Auslin flinched at the feeling of Tatsuki’s oppressive anger pulsating in his aura. “There were no survivors.”
“How dare they have the audacity to attack you both!” Tatsuki continued seething. “Clearly, they need to be taught another lesson about their place in this realm.”
Not wanting to confess that he was injured in the battle and get Kitaro in trouble, Auslin tried to shift the focus. “We also encountered one of Nasume’s cousins in Reflorna, but he left after a few insults were exchanged on both sides.”
“That whole family is a stain upon this realm,” Tatsuki snarled.
Auslin couldn’t hide his amusement. “I can’t say that I disagree.”
“That is because you have good sense.” Tatsuki poured more tea for himself.
“I also might have pushed Fenalo into a river,” Auslin admitted with a grin.
Tatsuki’s laughter was booming. “Oh, we would have paid a great deal to see that spluttering pup angry that a human had bested him. Good for you, Vanra. We are proud.”
“I know it wasn’t becoming behavior of someone who is a member of your clan, but he deserved it.”
Tatsuki continued chuckling. “We fully support you putting those awful wolf shifters in their place. We only wish we could be rid of them forever.” Tatsuki sipped his tea. “How was Satsuma?”
“She was nothing like I expected.” Auslin rotated the cup in his hands. “Kitaro passed along your regards to her. She was most complimentary of you, Father.”
“She is indeed a wise woman.”
Auslin could momentarily enjoy Tatsuki’s good humor until he remembered the reality of what she had told him. “Perhaps a bit too wise for me as a mere mortal to understand. Most of what she said was in confounding riddles. I can’t quite figure out her meaning.”
“Do not feel badly. Her wisdom is not easily grasped.”
