Page 120 of Lord of the Lone Wolf
“Where is he?” Auslin demanded, his healer’s instincts taking over.
“He is resting in the eastern wing of our family quarters,” Kitsuki said. “Attend to him now while I speak with Kisano. Uncle Jaega and Kizoshi remained in Kunushi to oversee the Claim of Conquest. They will not return for several weeks.”
Auslin nodded, rising on his toes to press another quick kiss to Kitsuki’s lips. “I love you. Thank you for coming home safely.”
“I regret I could not do the same for Maseo.”
“As long as he’s alive, I can fix it. I won’t let him lose anything else after everything he’s sacrificed.”
Kitsuki brushed a strand of hair from Auslin’s face, his touch lingering. “Go to him now. We will have our proper reunion once Maseo is safe.”
With one last embrace, Auslin pulled away from his mate and hurried from their chambers. He refused to let Maseo suffer for his bravery.
Auslin paused outside the door, gathering his courage before knocking.
There was a moment of silence before it opened to reveal Maseo, who looked far more haggard than when Auslin had last seen him. His right eye was clear and alert, but the left was covered with a simple white bandage. Though he stood tall, Auslin could see the strain in his posture, the careful way he held himself to minimize pain.
The sight of his friend’s injury hit Auslin hard. Without thinking, he threw his arms around Maseo in a fierce embrace. “I’m so glad you’re back! I’ve been so worried about you.”
Maseo tensed at the sudden contact with a small gasp before he returned the hug, his movements careful as if afraid to hold too tight.
With Maseo and Kitsuki back in Tiora, Auslin felt complete in a way he hadn’t since they had departed for war.
Chapter 40
Maseo
Auslin’s warm embrace surrounded Maseo as a balm against wounds deeper than flesh. For a heartbeat, he stood frozen, unable to believe it was real. Then his arms moved of their own accord, wrapping around Auslin’s smaller frame and pulling him close. The pressure against his injured ribs sent fire racing through his torso, but Maseo welcomed the pain.
When Auslin’s grip tightened, Maseo bit back another gasp as agony lanced through his wounds. But he wouldn’t let go. It was everything he had dreamed of while away fighting the war.
The ache in his body faded beneath the overwhelming relief of being alive and held by someone who had become so important to him. For the first time since his mother had died, Maseo felt like he had come home. The knowledge that Auslin had feared for his life filled the hollow spaces in Maseo’s chest with something close to hope.
When Auslin pulled back, his cheeks flushed pink. But his expression shifted from relief to concern. “Were you injured beyond your eye?”
Maseo tried to straighten, to hide the way his ribs protested with each breath and the constant ache in his bones that grew stronger each day as the necromancy consumed him. “It’s nothing serious.”
“Don’t lie to me.” Auslin’s hands hovered near Maseo’s shoulders, as if he wanted to touch but was afraid of causing more hurt. “I can see it in your face. What happened?”
The genuine concern in his lavender eyes made Maseo’s defenses crumble. Here was someone who cared enough to notice his pain, who wouldn’t be satisfied with his usual deflections. “My father landed a few strikes on my ribs and back with a Divine sword entwined with necromancy before I killed him.”
Auslin’s face went pale. “Kitsuki only told me about your eye. I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have grabbed you.”
“No, I’m glad you did.” The words came out more honestly than Maseo intended, but he couldn’t bring himself to regret them. “It was worth any pain to hold you again.”
Color flooded Auslin’s cheeks, but he didn’t step away. Instead, he gestured toward the sitting area near the fireplace. “Let me heal you. Please.”
Maseo allowed himself to be guided to the plush couch, sinking into the soft cushions with a relief he couldn’t hide. Auslin settled beside him, close enough that their knees almost touched. The proximity made Maseo’s pulse quicken despite his injuries, his body responding to Auslin’s nearness with an intensity that should have alarmed him.
“May I take the bandage off your eye?” Auslin requested.
Maseo nodded, not trusting his voice. Auslin’s fingers were gentle as they found the edge of the cloth, but dried blood had sealed the fabric to his skin. When it pulled free, Maseo couldn’t suppress a sharp intake of breath as some of the scabbing came off with it.
Auslin gasped, his scent betraying his distress.
“Is it that bad?” Maseo asked, fighting the urge to reach up and cover the ruined socket. “I haven’t had the courage to look in a mirror. I’m afraid knowing what it looks like will hurt more than it already does.”
Tears gathered in Auslin’s eyes. “I can fix it.”
