Page 25 of Mage of the Dragon Prince
Auslin laughed bitterly, but it came out choked on a sob. “He doesn’t love me. I don’t know if he ever has.”
“How could he not love you when you are all things good in this realm?” Kitaro questioned.
The uncomprehending look on Kitaro’s face made Auslin’s heart twist painfully. “I don’t think he knows how.”
“But you love him.”
Fresh tears fell. “I don’t even know anymore.” Auslin’s heart was a mess over Kio. The distance was only making it more clear to him how wrong everything had gone for them. “I don’t know anything anymore.”
It surprised Auslin when Kitaro gathered him in a tight embrace. He hid his face against Kitaro’s chest ashe submitted to it. It felt so good to be held in such strong arms. Kitaro shushed Auslin’s whispered apologies.
The shifter prince rested his cheek against Auslin’s head. “Forgive me. I did not mean to upset you.”
“It’s okay,” Auslin mumbled. He held on to Kitaro tightly, drawing strength from him.
“No, it is not. Your love should never make you weep with pain.”
Auslin tried to calm himself. His attempts at deep breaths through a stuffy nose made him aware of how good Kitaro smelled. The shifter’s scent was clean and masculine, but above all else, it was comforting in a way that put Auslin at ease on a primal level he didn’t understand.
“It is what it is,” Auslin finally said. It was a phrase he had repeated to himself countless times as he tried to rationalize his deteriorating relationship with Kio.
“You should never accept anyone who loves you with less than all of their heart,” Kitaro told him. “It is fortunate for your companion that centuries separate us because I would seek vengeance for the deep sorrows he has caused you.”
Hearing that Kitaro was willing to fight for him made Auslin feel a little better. But he still protested, “He’s not worth it.” It would be too embarrassing to have confirmation that Kio wouldn’t care enough to fight for Auslin’s love.
“He may not be, but you are.” Kitaro’s declarationmade Auslin’s heart flutter despite his emotional state. “Perhaps fate brought you to this time to get you away from his cruelty.”
“Surely there would be easier ways to accomplish that.”
“Certainly. But is there any way that would be more effective than traveling to an era where he can never reach you?”
“You have a point.” Auslin sighed, reluctant to give up the comfort of being held. However, he made himself take a step back. “I’m sorry for getting emotional. Everything is such an overwhelming mess in my head right now.”
Kitaro waved it away. “You have no reason to apologize.”
“But my relationship with my companion is so confusing, yet your clan offers me protection because of it. It makes me feel like I’m deceiving you.”
“Do not concern yourself with such things,” Kitaro told him. “I will not denounce you because your companion seems to take after Mitsuki in his temperament.”
The reminder made Auslin shudder. “The less I have to do with him, the better.”
“Agreed. Come, let us return to the castle. Perhaps some training will help focus your mind.”
Nodding with a sniffle, Auslin fell into step with Kitaro. He brought his hands up to his cheeks, then focused his healing energy into clearing his sinuses. Itgave him instant relief as he restored his ability to breathe without congestion.
The action did not escape Kitaro’s attention. “Did you just heal yourself?”
“Yeah, force of habit,” Auslin said sheepishly. “My companion hates when I cry. Having a stuffy nose is a perpetual reminder of it, so I learned to clear my sinuses. It’s helpful for getting rid of colds, too.”
Kitaro frowned. “While I admire your resourcefulness, your need to do that enough to be a habit gives me reason to be concerned. I shall endeavor to not give you occasion to do so again.”
“No, you’re fine,” Auslin hurriedly assured him. “I’m in a weird headspace right now because of everything. I tend to be a little more on the emotional side in general. I’ve learned to keep it in check most of the time, but?—”
“Because your companion has no tolerance for such things?”
“Yeah. I think it makes him feel guilty, and then he gets angry.”
“He gets angry because you react negatively to his bad behavior?” Kitaro asked incredulously.
