Page 26 of Mage of the Dragon Prince
Auslin rubbed the back of his head. “It sounds bad when you put it that way. But yeah, basically.”
“Why would you tolerate such behavior?”
Auslin was silent for a long moment. “Have you ever been in a relationship before?”
“I have been pursued by many, but I have never taken a lover for myself.”
“Really? I would have figured a prince like you would have had all kinds of romantic entanglements.”
“You are not the first to assume that about me. However, I have never had any interest in that kind of thing. All my siblings have different mothers because my father insists on having as many women as he can pleasure. It has caused countless problems over the years, which was unpleasant enough to witness. I cannot imagine engaging in such behavior myself.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Mitsuki’s mother was a proud woman who thought she had finally won our father,” Kitaro explained. “When he grew bored with her and moved on to the next woman, she did not take it well. Mitsuki’s mother tried to kill Father for abandoning her, so he sent her to the Beyond Realm for the attempt on his life.”
“That’s awful!”
Kitaro nodded. “Indeed, but it spared her from having to witness him having more children with several other women. I have no doubt she would have tried killing the children and Father’s mistresses, so it was a cruel kindness to have avoided such things.”
“That’s horrible.” Auslin felt bad for the women who had been caught up in such a complicated love affair. It even made him feel a twinge of sympathy for Mitsuki to have lost his mother.
“It is my father’s way,” Kitaro stated, although his disapproval was clear in his tone. “His philandering ways took their toll on each of the women he was involved with. Mitsuki’s romantic conquests are no better. He gains a dark amusement when his ladies fight with each other, which I cannot abide by.”
Auslin could easily see Mitsuki inciting trouble between lovers to enjoy the aftermath. It left him with an unpleasant feeling. “Why am I not surprised?”
“I have no desire to treat a mate in such a cruel way,” Kitaro continued. “I refuse to have a string of lovers to entertain myself carnally at the cost of my mate’s happiness. I never want to give my mate occasion to feel like I love them with anything less than my whole heart.”
“It’s funny. I envy your mate, and you don’t even have one yet,” Auslin said with a wry grin that slid into a sad smile. “Having been subjected to a relationship with someone who has a wandering gaze, I can say it is deeply unpleasant.”
“He is not even loyal?” Kitaro asked in outrage.
Auslin’s heart twisted painfully once more over the thought of Kio with Maseo. He could only look down in shame and embarrassment over how horrible his relationship looked from an outsider’s perspective. “Well, it sounds like he’s more his father’s relation than I ever knew.”
“He treats you unkindly, he strays from your side, and yet you continue to stand by him.” Kitaro’sexpression was troubled. “Why do you subject yourself to such treatment when you are worth so much more than that?”
Auslin shrugged. “Because it’s easier than being alone.”
“Surely, being alone is not as painful as him being with someone else while professing he has feelings for you? Do you not believe you deserve better than that?”
“You aren’t the first to say such things to me.”
“Why did you not listen to them?”
Auslin shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m a fool for staying when everything is so miserable. But I thought it was the right thing to do.”
“You are not a fool, Vanra. Your heart is too kind, and he is using your love against you.”
“Life has been so unkind to him.” Auslin knew Kio had seen more abuse than anyone should have to endure.
Kitaro looked down at Auslin as they continued walking through the forest. “Do you truly believe your love can heal him of those pains?”
“I think I did once, but now, I’m not so sure.”
“There are some wounds that not even love can heal. You should not have to change him into someone that he is not to be loved by him.”
Auslin knew it all to be true, and his heart ached. “I know you’re right, but I can’t justleave.”
“I believe fate has already made that decision for you.”
