Page 31 of Mage of the Dragon Prince
The small point of contact between them was already too much. Skin-to-skin contact while being carried by a naked Kitaro was too overwhelming for Auslin. He took a step backward. “No, no, no, I’m fine. Promise.”
Kitaro didn’t look convinced as he followed Auslin into the bedroom.
The human stood by the bed and looked down at it while he debated about what to do with his towel.
“I will take care of your towel for you,” Kitaro said before removing it.
Auslin’s heart was in his throat as he was bared. He squeaked out a strangled “Thanks.”
Kitaro chuckled as he returned to the bathroom.
Auslin got into bed under the covers before the shifter prince came back. He hid his face against his pillow while his heart hammered wildly in his chest over what had just happened. It was one thing for Kitaro to embarrass him when they both were clothed. It was a totally different matter when they were both naked and that close to each other.
Kitaro returned and got in on the other side of the bed. “How are you feeling now?”
“Fantastic,” Auslin mumbled into his pillow, unable to bring himself to look at Kitaro yet. He needed to be more careful. The last thing he needed was an inconvenient crush on someone who would never be interested in him.
Chapter 14
Kitaro
That chaotic barrage of emotions emanating from the human mage stirred Kitaro awake. They ranged from confused to curious and everything in between. It fascinated him how deeply and quickly Vanra seemed to experience feelings. His voice was rough with sleep as he said, “I was led to believe humans were simple creatures, yet you seem to do a great deal of overthinking.”
Vanra blanched at the comment. “I’m so sorry! Did I wake you up?”
Kitaro opened his eyes to look at the human. “What troubles you so?”
“I was just wondering about some stuff. I didn’t mean to disturb you.”
“Such as?” Kitaro questioned before hiding a yawn behind his hand. The scent of Vanra’s embarrassmentwas delightful. “If it is so embarrassing, perhaps I should not ask.”
The comment made Vanra blush. “No, I was simply thinking about your family.”
“My family?” That had not been the answer Kitaro expected. “It caused you to run that wide gamut of emotions?”
“You’re not like the rest of your family that I’ve met, so I was wondering why.”
Kitaro arched an eyebrow. “First thing in the morning?”
“I’m pretty sure it’s midafternoon by this point,” Vanra dryly countered with a grin.
“If you want to get technical.”
Vanra studied Kitaro with curiosity. “Whyareyou so different?”
Kitaro was curious to hear Vanra’s assumptions. “What conclusion did you draw from your overthinking?”
“That I’m pretty sure Kisano will be nothing like you and wondering if your mom had anything to do with you being the polar opposite of Mitsuki,” Vanra answered.
“Mitsuki is the abnormal one. Kisano and Kizoshi are far more rational. My sister is rather…enigmatic. Kisano is shy by nature and leads a quiet life hidden in our library.”
“Your father doesn’t object to that? I’d think apowerful king like him would insist on all his sons being fierce warriors.”
Kitaro’s frown made his disapproval clear. “Father does not concern himself with Kisano in the least.”
“Why?”
Kitaro was silent for a long moment. “Despite being a full shifter, Kisano possesses no powers or dragon. He barely has any trace of shifter markings. He was gifted with a brilliant and insightful mind, but such strengths hold little interest for my father.”
