Page 134 of Mage of the Dragon Prince
“Yes, but it is nice to be home,” Kitaro answered. “Although Vanra did not complain during the journey, I am certain it is a relief for him, too.”
“Where is he?” Kisano was disappointed his friend had not come to visit.
Kitaro frowned with a furrow of worry on his brow. “Father requested Vanra’s presence almostimmediately upon our return. I was specifically told I could not attend their meeting.”
“Father wanted him and not you?” It was baffling information. “That is highly unlike him.”
“I find it puzzling as well.” Kitaro rubbed his temple. “I am not sure what to make of it, honestly.”
Kisano hesitated before he confessed a secret he had been carrying during his brother’s absence. “I, too, have been wondering about Father’s recent shift in behavior.”
Kitaro immediately became concerned. “Has something been amiss?”
“I would not say amiss, but his behavior has been most unusual.” Kisano nervously pushed some of the stray strands of his hair from his loose ponytail behind his ear. “Father stopped here while you were gone.”
Both of Kitaro’s eyebrows shot up in shock. “Ourfather came to the library specifically to seeyou?”
“I still find it hard to believe myself. I could hardly speak in my disbelief.” It had been centuries since that had last happened.
“Why did he seek you out?”
“He stared at me for a long while saying nothing, which was absolutely terrifying.” Kisano shuddered at the memory of being the sole focus of his father’s intense attention. “He finally asked me a hypothetical question about what I would do about the griffin shifters in Balsimi.”
“Father asked for youropinionon a tactical matter?Ourfather?”
“I was more shocked than you are!” Kisano laughed. “He listened to my thoughts, asked me a few other questions about my opinions, and then said, ‘It seems Vanra was right,’ before he left. It was a most curious statement and encounter. I still cannot fathom why Father sought me out at all.”
Kitaro tapped his chin as he mulled something over. “Interesting.”
“How so?”
“There was one night some time ago when Father summoned Vanra. He told me afterward that he extolled your virtues to Father and chastised him for ignoring you.”
Kisano blushed scarlet. “Why in the world would he do such a thing?”
“I believe Vanra thought he was helping you in doing so,” Kitaro said. “He is very fond of you, and I am certain that he finds Father’s treatment of you galling. It is his way to speak up for those who are wronged or suffering.”
“But it is not as if Father mistreats me.”
“Somehow, I think Vanra would disagree with that assertion,” Kitaro said with a chuckle. “He feels strongly about Father not treating you the same way he does me. And since it seems he has Father’s ear, it is very like him to put in a good word to try changing his mind.”
Kisano touched his cheeks with the back of his fingers to feel how flushed his face was. “Vanra is a most unusual human.”
“I am sure he will be here to visit with you soon,” Kitaro said. “He mentioned more than once during the journey how much he missed visiting with you.”
It made Kisano deeply happy to hear that Vanra would feel that way about him, even if he found it shocking. “I will have to ask him about it later.” Kisano hoped Vanra could shed some light on Tatsuki’s unusual visit. “I suppose I should not find it so surprising Vanra and his kindness have influenced even our father.”
“Mitsuki is the only one who seems immune to Vanra’s considerable charms.” Kitaro shook his head as he leaned back in his chair. “That was the one thing I dreaded about our return.”
Kisano was burning with curiosity. “What did you find out from Satsuma?” Kitaro’s mood immediately darkened, making Kisano feel guilty. “Sorry, should I not have asked?”
Kitaro waved away Kisano’s concerns. “Forgive me, dear brother. My reaction was regarding what Satsuma said, not you inquiring about it.”
Kisano’s heart sank. “What did she say?”
“She was vague enough to give us room to argue, but I fear it is not good news. She was clear that Vanra will have to returnto his time at some point.”
The thought of losing his friend made Kisano want to cry. He could only ask in a small voice, “When?”
