Page 19 of Mage of the Dragon Prince
Auslin’s curiosity got the better of him. “What does my embarrassment smell like?”
“Like ripe Alsarian cherries in the summer.” Kitaro’s amusement caused Auslin’s embarrassment to deepen further. “Humans tend to smell awful, but you seem to be an exception.”
“I don’t know how you can say that after yesterday. I must have smelled awful after my travels, being rained on, and…” Auslin trailed off, too embarrassed to mention Kio’s scent being on him in such an intimate place.
Kitaro shook his head. “Even Mitsuki, with his strong dislike of humans, could not be offended by your scent.”
“What exactlydoI smell like?”
“Like sunlight filtering through the trees on a perfect spring day,” Kitaro said. His nostrils flared a little as he breathed deeply. “It is a most pleasant experience.”
“That’s unusually specific.” Auslin felt oddly flattered by something he had no way of influencing. “I can’t even fathom what sunlight smells like.”
Kitaro thought about it for a moment. “It is tooabstract to describe, but rest assured, you do not need to worry about such things while you are here.”
“Good to know.” Auslin was grateful he wasn’t offending sensitive shifter senses with his foul human odor. Maybe that was one less thing he had to worry about during his stay.
“Since you are awake, perhaps you would like to get lunch?”
“Did we sleep through breakfast?” Auslin grinned. He couldn’t remember the last time he had done that.
Kitaro chuckled. “I usually do.”
“I would think a prince would have a really regimented day with all kinds of demands on his time.” Auslin sat up and ran his fingers through his hair.
“It is true for my oldest brother, but as the youngest, I have significantly more freedom with my time,” Kitaro explained. “As your guardian, my day starts when yours does. Should you wish to get a late start to the day, you will get no objection from me.”
“Which translates to, ‘Please sleep in so I can,’ right?” Auslin asked with a laugh, easily able to read between the lines.
Kitaro shrugged, his hair falling over his shoulder. “I find little reason to wake early.”
It was a luxury Auslin was rarely afforded. “I always had to be up at dawn at the temple and when I traveled, so that may be a challenge.”
“Did you ever wish to return to sleep when doing so?” Kitaro asked.
“All the time.” Auslin laughed, having always slept until the last possible moment before an elder dragged him out of bed.
“Well, now is your chance to do so. Perhaps you will come to find the longer nights offer you more than longer mornings.”
Auslin heard a whisper of a naughty thought, but he shoved it aside before he could process it. “Maybe. Is it okay if I use the bathroom?”
“Of course. You never have to ask for permission.”
With a word of thanks, Auslin went to get ready for the start of the day.
Auslin felt ridiculously flashy in black breeches with silver piping and a loose-fitting blue satin shirt that felt divine against his skin despite his complaints. “This is really too much,” Auslin said as he gestured at what he was wearing.
“Members of our clan are held to a higher standard, which means our clothes are as well,” Kitaro explained for the second time that morning. “I know you were raised in an austere environment, but you are living amongst shifter royalty now.”
Auslin understood he needed to be respectful of the shifter customs that he was now governed by, butit was hard to indulge in such luxury when he had always lived under meager means. As much as he wanted to resist, Auslin also didn’t want to appear ungrateful. “I will try to overcome my training,” Auslin promised, knowing it was important. “I don’t know if I’ll ever get to where I can wear a gold shirt that costs more than everything I’ve ever owned in my entire life, though.”
The comment made Kitaro laugh, which caused Auslin to smile reflexively. “If nothing else, you should at least try it once in your life.”
“I’ll never look half as good as you do in this stuff.” Auslin glanced at Kitaro, who looked regal in his dark burgundy shirt with a high collar. “Honestly, I’m amazed I fit in anything that once belonged to you.”
“Even I was young and small once,” Kitaro teased, his tone playful enough that Auslin didn’t feel insulted.
“I can’t even imagine it.” Auslin shook his head.
