Page 135 of Mage of the Dragon Prince
“Satsuma said on the Day of Ascension, which is a date not yet written. She did not go into any further details. Have you ever heard of such a thing?”
“Never.” Kisano wished he had a better answer for his brother. “I can do some research and see what I can find, though.”
“Thank you,” Kitaro said with an appreciative look. “If anyone can get to the bottom of the mystery, it would be you.”
Kisano blushed again. “You are too kind.”
“Perhaps by then, I will have figured out how it is possible for Vanra to return to his own time without leaving me.”
“That seems to be quite a contradiction,” Kisano sympathetically agreed. “I will do my best to find anything relevant.”
“I am not optimistic that there is anything to be found, but I appreciate your efforts on our behalf.”
Kisano looked down at his hands as he struggled with his emotions. “You are not the only one who wishes Vanra would never have to leave.”
Kitaro’s gaze softened. “I know he has become a dear friend to you, too. That is why I am so determined to do whatever is necessary to keep him here in our time. I have not yet given up hope.”
Vanra entering the library interrupted them. Hecame over with a book in his arms as he approached Kitaro and Kisano at the table. “I hope I’m not interrupting. I can come back later if it’s a problem.”
The knot of anxiety in Kisano’s stomach finally loosened when he saw for himself that Vanra had returned safely. “Welcome home,” Kisano warmly greeted Vanra. “Please join us.”
“How was your meeting with Father?” Kitaro asked as Vanra sat across from him.
“I don’t think I’ll ever get over the strangeness of your father being nice to me, but it was good,” Vanra said. “I asked him about the Day of Ascension, but he didn’t know anything about it. He also wanted me to tell you he would meet with you tomorrow sometime.”
“He did not wish to see me tonight?”
Vanra shook his head. “No, he said we deserved our rest, and you would speak tomorrow.”
Although Kisano felt awkward, he forced himself to satisfy his curiosity. “Have you ever spoken with Father about me before?”
Vanra’s expression turned sheepish. “I might have gotten a little carried away during one of my meetings with King Tatsuki. I strongly implied he was foolish for not recognizing your brilliant mind is just as much a strength as physical prowess. Look, I know it’s not my place, but it really bothers me he acts like you don’t exist. I hope I didn’t cause any problems for you by doing that.”
Kisano shook his head. “No, it was nothing likethat. I was merely curious what my father meant when he said you were right after he came and talked to me about hypothetical battles one night.”
“That was probably him acknowledging that your understanding of battles from all of your studies is just as much use as a general’s actual experience in the field,” Vanra guessed. “I told him that, but he didn’t seem to believe me, though.”
“Thank you for your kind praise.” Kisano still felt slightly embarrassed by Vanra’s high opinion of him and his abilities.
“I’m only telling the truth.” Vanra passed a book across the table. “Also, I wanted to give you this.”
The blue leather book was embellished with silver foil filigree. It was a work of art that Kisano could scarcely believe was for him. “You want to give me this beautiful book?”
“I saw it while we were traveling, and I knew I had to get it for you. The author isn’t very well-known, so I thought you might not have it,” Vanra explained. “She’s mine and my brother’s favorite author next to Reskin, plus she’s also a shifter. I had never seen such a beautifully illustrated version before, so I wanted you to have it.”
Other than Kizoshi and Kitaro, no one had ever gifted Kisano a book before. Vanra’s kindness deeply touched him. He pulled the book closer to study it. “Between the Pagesby Verity? I must admit, I have not heard of this.” It was shocking Vanra had foundsomething they didn’t already have in their expansive library.
“It’s about a woman who can enter the worlds of the books she reads and interact with the characters and the narrator,” Vanra told him. “It’s the first part of a series. She goes through some very well-known stories, plus some made-up ones. The other volumes haven’t been published yet. There’s been so many times I’ve wished I could step into a book. Something tells me you would understand that feeling very well.”
“Ah, I have felt that way many a time myself.” Kisano opened the book to fan through the gold-trimmed pages to look at the illustrations. The art was exquisite beyond compare. “I am truly speechless. Thank you, Vanra. To receive such a meaningful gift…I do not have the words to describe how touched I am.”
Vanra reached over and squeezed Kisano’s hand. “You are most welcome. I hope you enjoy it as much as my brother and I have.”
Kisano hugged the book to his chest with a radiant smile. “I am certain I will treasure this for the rest of my life. What a fantastic idea for a story.”
“I suppose the kind thing to do would be for us to retire for the night and leave you to enjoy your gift,” Kitaro said. He knew Kisano all too well.
“Please rest well,” Kisano wished them.
