Page 118 of Lord of the Lone Wolf
Maseo shifted, his gaze dropping as the truth of his body’s response became undeniable. The scent of his humiliation soured the air, a bitter tang of shame from a man who had only ever known touch as a weapon.
“I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s happening. I’ve never—this isn’t—“ He struggled to find the words to apologize. “You’re mated to Auslin. I would never disrespect that. But I can’t seem to control my reactions when you?—“
“Be at ease, Maseo. You have done nothing wrong. “
“But—”
Kitsuki interrupted him. “Your reaction to my care is not offensive to me. It honors me to be the one permitted to ease your pain. Caring for you gives me a sense of purpose I never knew I lacked.”
Maseo’s breath caught, and the tension in his shoulders eased as the bitter scent of his shame faded.“I’ve never had anyone take care of me since my mother passed away. I almost forgot what it felt like to be touched without pain as the intent.”
The simple statement, offered with such vulnerability, struck Kitsuki deep in his heart. His dragon roared with protective fury at the thought of all Maseo had endured, at a life that had taught him to expect cruelty rather than kindness.
His thumb traced the line of Maseo’s jaw, a touch that was both comfort and promise. “When we return to Valzerna, there are matters we must discuss.”
Maseo looked confused. “About what?”
“The future.”
Tell him his place is with us. With Auslin, his dragon added.
“I’d be honored to serve Valzerna in any capacity you deem appropriate,” Maseo said, the formality of his words at odds with the vulnerability in his expression.
Kitsuki shook his head. “It is not about service. It is about belonging.”
“I’d like to belong.” Maseo’s shy expression tugged at Kitsuki’s heart.
A rare smile softened the dragon king’s features. “Then we agree.” He didn’t resist the impulse to reach out to brush a strand of hair from Maseo’s forehead. The touch lingered, trailing down to trace the uninjured side of his face with tender appreciation.
Maseo leaned into the contact, his eye fluttering closed as he savored the touch.
For a heartbeat, Kitsuki wavered on the edge of surrender. His hand slid to the nape of Maseo’s neck, fingers threading through his soft hair, drawing him closer. But the necromantic poison pulsing beneath Maseo’s skin was a constant reminder of what was at stake. With a concentrated effort, Kitsuki pulled back, his hand dropping to Maseo’s shoulder instead.
Nothing would proceed without Auslin’s presence. The trinity bond required all three of them united in purpose and desire.
“Rest a little longer,” Kitsuki said, reluctant to break the connection between them but knowing he must. “The poultice needs time to take full effect, and you need to conserve your strength for our journey.”
Maseo nodded, making no attempt to move away. They sat in quiet contentment while the stream gurgled nearby, and the sun continued its journey across the sky. But Kitsuki’s dragon remained on edge, counting each heartbeat, measuring each breath, calculating how much time they had left before the necromancy claimed what was theirs.
With the weight of kingship temporarily set aside, Kitsuki allowed himself to embrace what his dragon had known all along. Maseo was theirs to protect. And when they returned to Tiora, to Auslin, they would claim their trinity bond.
Chapter 39
Auslin
Despite the midday hour, the library windows remained dark as the storm clouds outside reflected Auslin’s somber mood. Rain pattered against the glass, creating a melancholy rhythm that echoed the heaviness in his chest. He stood before the tall shelves, fingers tracing the spines of ancient healing tomes he had already consulted dozens of times over the past months.
“Perhaps you should take a break,” Sephen suggested, his usual cheerful demeanor subdued as he looked up from his scroll. “You’ve been at this since dawn.”
Auslin pulled another volume from the shelf. “I need to be prepared for any injuries they might return with.”
Kisano glanced up from his seat near the hearth, the flickering flames casting shadows across his face. Though he wore the mask of royal composure, Auslin could see the worry etched in the tight line of his mouth. “My brother is the most skilled warrior in all Valzerna. He will return to you.”
“I know he’s safe,” Auslin said, setting the book down with a sigh. “I can feel it through our bond. But that doesn’t stop me from worrying about what he’s facing, especially after I felt him reaching for power through our connection.”
Fersen gave him a sympathetic look. “Jaega shields our bond to protect me from worrying. He doesn’t realize that not knowing is worse.”
“It is difficult when our last message delivered by the courier didn’t have as many details about what happened in Norello as we would have preferred,” Kisano added. “Even with the bonds you share, the lack of concrete information weighs on all our spirits.”
