Page 91 of Mage of the Dragon Prince
Auslin didn’t like the shadow of frustration that passed through Kitaro’s gaze. “Who’s Nasume?”
“Not anyone you need to concern yourself with,” Kitaro said in a reassuring voice. But the brush-off made Auslin nervous. What wasn’t Kitaro saying?
“Kitaro is right. Kizoshi will put a stop to anything before it gets started. She hates him almost as much as she hates Mitsuki. And that hatred is quite mutual. If you see the two of them together, do yourself a favor and run as far away as you can get. You do not want to get caught in the crosshairs.”
“It’s disconcerting how long Kizoshi’s list of enemies is.” Auslin shouldn’t have been surprised. As the War Power in his time, she surely had moreenemies than he could count. Why would he expect it to be any different in the past?
Tyrian switched subjects. “Well, in better news, congratulations on avoiding the Galinor conflict, cousin. I am relieved to hear that Father once again came through for you.”
“I am more grateful for his help now than ever before. The thought of leaving Vanra here to go fight was distressing, although I know you would have taken excellent care of him in my absence,” Kitaro said.
Tyrian bowed his head in acknowledgment. “It would have been my honor.”
“There may come a time when that becomes necessary, but I hope it will be a while before I must worry about it again.”
Auslin didn’t like thinking about the possibility of Kitaro fighting in a war. It spiked his anxiety, especially when King Tatsuki was known for being a warlord who was quick to battle with other kingdoms. He offered a silent prayer to the Powers in charge that Kitaro be spared from war for as long as possible. Despite knowing the dragon prince was an impressive warrior, Auslin wasn’t sure if his heart would survive the stress of knowing Kitaro was battling for his life on the front lines and might not come home to him alive.
Chapter 44
Kitaro
Winter came in the months when Tatsuki, Mitsuki, and Jaega were away in Galinor, fighting against the snake shifters who had risen in rebellion over the dethroning of King Decius in Shadron. Without having to worry about running into Kitaro’s unpleasant and pugnacious oldest brother, Vanra’s stress all but disappeared. He was having the time of his life being spoiled by Kitaro in the lap of ultimate luxury.
The snow piled high in the gardens as more drifted down from the gray sky. Kitaro had taken his shifter form but shrunk to the size of a baby dragon, no bigger than a large dog. He playfully bounded and chased Vanra, pouncing on the human after he slipped and fell onto his back with a laugh. Kitaro sat on Vanra’s chest, nuzzling his chin affectionately whilereceiving a hug. Vanra continued laughing as they cuddled. He had never felt so free to have fun before.
Kitaro shifted into his human form without warning. It resulted in him pinning Vanra against the snow. He couldn’t resist stealing a heated kiss before suggesting, “Perhaps we should move this inside. You are shivering.”
“Getting warmer sounds great,” Vanra agreed. He accepted Kitaro’s outstretched hand to help him stand up before following him into their room.
Once they had arrived, Kitaro’s true intentions became clear. “Let me help you out of those wet clothes.”
Instead of using his magic, he took his time stripping Vanra out of his clothes. The human returned the favor, leaving them both naked and aroused.
Kitaro embraced Vanra with one arm while using his free hand to cup his flushed cheek. He indulged in a passionate kiss that continued to build as they backed toward the bed. When Vanra’s knees hit the edge of the mattress, he paused long enough to get onto it. He scooted back to give Kitaro room to join him.
Positioning himself over Vanra, Kitaro trailed teasing kisses along his neck. His hand traveled downward, caressing the human’s tan skin.
Vanra shivered as Kitaro’s chilled fingers wrapped around his cock. “So cold!”
Kitaro chuckled as hestroked the mage’s erection. “This should warm us right up.” He kissed down Vanra’s chest, continuing to arouse him with tantalizing touches with his claws. He followed the faint happy trail of dark hair that led down to the human’s cock. Kitaro toyed with it using his tongue before letting it slide deep into his mouth.
Vanra let out a prolonged moan when Kitaro’s wet warmth surrounded his most intimate area. He carded his fingers through Kitaro’s long hair, luxuriating under the oral attention. When Kitaro teased him with his fangs, the human arched up with a gasp of pleasure.
Kitaro played with Vanra’s balls as he rumbled around the length in his mouth. The human pushed deeper with a needy noise. It frustrated him they couldn’t do more because they were in limbo until they got their answers from Satsuma about whether Vanra could stay in the past or had to return to his own time in the present. He desperately wanted to feel all of Vanra and mate with him, but it was too selfish when centuries could separate them.
Vanra came while crying out Kitaro’s name. It made Kitaro rumble in pleasure as he licked him clean.
The human smiled coyly with flushed cheeks. “Is it my turn now?”
Before Kitaro could accept, a loud knock made them freeze. “What?” Kitaro growled at the person on the other side of the door.
“King Tatsuki has returned from his militarycampaign. He has requested your presence at once,” a servant announced.
Kitaro took a calming breath before speaking again. “You may tell my father that I will attend to him at once.”
“Understood.” The servant retreated.
“Father has the worst timing,” Kitaro groused.
