Page 79 of Mage of the Dragon Prince
Kitaro tried not to get his hopes up. “You say that as if it matters to you.”
“Of course it matters! How could it not?”
“I know you are an empathetic person, but?—”
Vanra interrupted Kitarowith a groan as he hid his face in his hands. He whispered in an agonized tone, “What am I supposed to do?”
Kitaro didn’t understand the source of Vanra’s distress. “You are free to continue as you are. This changes nothing.”
The human looked up at him with tumultuous eyes. “No, it changes everything!”
The shifter shook his head. “I do not understand why.”
“How can I pretend I don’t like you like that when I know you like me?” Vanra questioned in a small voice.
Kitaro tried not to get too excited, but his hopes lifted. “Are you saying that you have feelings for me in the same manner?”
Vanra’s eyebrows furrowed with frustration. “But it’s not allowed.”
“Why not?” Kitaro’s heart sank. “Are you concerned about your relationship with your companion?”
“No, because I told him in my letter that he was free of me. I could never return to him after knowing you, even if I wanted to. Besides, it’s not like he’s patiently waiting for me. He’s with his former lover.”
Kitaro still didn’t understand. “Then what else is holding you back?”
“Because then I’ll never want to leave,” Vanra admitted as he looked up at Kitaro in despair. “Yourfather expects me to return to my time, and I want to be with my brother, but if I’m with you…”
Kitaro’s spirits lifted. “Do you have romantic feelings for me?”
“How could I not?” Vanra threw his hands up. “Of course, I like you like that! You’re the most amazing, sweetest, kindest, most gorgeous person I’ve ever met in my life. Powers aren’t as perfect as you.”
“I do not know if I would go that far.” Kitaro chuckled. “I am quite certain that my sister would argue otherwise.”
Vanra smiled faintly before falling silent for a few moments as he tried to gather the strength to say what was on his mind. “If I let myself have feelings for you, then I’ll fall in love with you for real. I could never leave you.”
Kitaro reached out once more to caress Vanra’s cheek. “What is so wrong about that?”
“But your father, my brother…”
“We can worry about them later. My only concern right now is you.”
Before Vanra could respond, Kitaro leaned down and kissed him. It was devastatingly perfect as Vanra melted into it. Vanra surrendering to Kitaro’s gentle passion was the best kind of heaven. It was even better than in his best fantasies.
When they parted, they shared a long look.
“That was amazing,” Vanra whispered, his cheeks flushed from the rush of feeling.
“Agreed.” Kitaro’s lips quirked up into a small smile. “I hope to be allowed to repeat it sometime, should you have no objections.”
“How could I ever say no to that?” Vanra asked with a laugh. “I’d have to be the world’s biggest fool.”
“Then it is a very good thing for me that you are quite intelligent,” Kitaro teased before stealing another kiss.
Vanra wrapped his arms around Kitaro’s neck as he kissed back. Kitaro got lost in his feelings for the human. Everything he had been trying for so long to ignore suddenly didn’t seem to matter now that Vanra’s lips were on his.
Kitaro slowly leaned Vanra back to lie down once more, positioning himself over him. He was about to continue when Vanra’s stomach growled with hunger.
The interruption made him laugh. “Perhaps we should get breakfast first.” He helped the human sit up once more. “We can resume this once we finish.”
