Page 142 of Lord of the Lone Wolf
“Sometimes the greatest act of love is the one that appears most cruel. In this case, the only way to live is to die.”
Horror dawned on Auslin’s face. “No, there has to be a different way.”
“As you both pass through Fate’s Gate together, you must pierce his heart with Tatsuki’s sword,” Liros said, his purple eyes filled with regret. “You are timeless because of the ancient magic of Fate’s Gate that still clings to you. But Maseo can cross over only in death. The soulforge and being touched by Fate’s Gate’s timeless magic will allow him to return to the Living Realm with your help and Kitsuki’s.”
“You’re asking me to stab him?” Auslin’s voice rose an octave. “To kill him?”
“The alternative is watching him die a painful death as the necromancy consumes him. If that happens, Nasume will torture Maseo’s soul for eternity. Is that what you want for him?”
Auslin felt torn between tears and rage, his hands shaking as the full weight of what was being asked of him crashed down. “Are you telling me I have to stab Maseo in the heart to send him to the Beyond Realm through Fate’s Gate?”
Liros hesitated. “I’m telling you what you need to know to save him.”
“I can’t kill—” Auslin stopped, unable to finish the sentence.
“Not even to save his life?”
“How am I supposed to murder someone I’ve developed feelings for?” Auslin’s voice cracked with anguish. “Why does fate keep asking such horrible things of us?”
Hibiki launched himself from the reading nook, zipping over to land on Auslin’s shoulder. The tiny fire dragon nuzzled against his neck, offering what comfort he could.
“Do you love Maseo enough to do what needs to be done?” Liros asked.
“There has to be something else we can try,” Auslin protested.
“The only other option is for Nasume to steal Maseo’s soul for good.”
Auslin’s face crumpled, the weight of the impossible choice crushing him.
“I’m not unfeeling, Auslin. I understand this is a significant ask. But with Tatsuki and Corina’s last gifts in your hands, everything will be possible.” His violet eyes brightened with hope. “Victory is attainable. Only after Maseo completes a successful soulforge can the trinity bond form. The three of you are meant to be together, but this is the path fate has chosen.”
Knowing their suffering would lead to something that would unite the three of them gave Auslin a glimmer of hope. “Thank you for helping me.”
“You’re strong enough to endure this, Auslin. You all are.”
Silence fell between them, heavy with unspoken fears and impossible choices. Hibiki had settled more firmly on Auslin’s shoulder, his body warm against Auslin’s neck.
“How are Kisano and Sephen doing with their decision to become the new king and royal consort of Kunushi?” Liros asked, his tone lighter.
The question caught Auslin off guard, pulling him from his spiral of worry. “They’re adjusting to the idea. It’s an enormous responsibility, taking over enemy territory and trying to heal the damage Nasume caused.” He studied Liros’s face, noting how the Power’s violet eyes brightened to amethyst at the mention of the two men.
“They’re remarkable individuals,” Liros said, a slight smile touching his lips. “Kisano’s brilliance combined with Sephen’s cleverness will make them formidable leaders. I look forward to seeing the beautiful world they create together.”
Something in his tone suggested more than casual interest, but Auslin felt too hollow to pursue it. The weight of everything he’d learned and still didn’t understand pressed down on him like a physical burden.
“I should get back,” Auslin said, rising from his chair on unsteady legs. “I need to talk to Maseo and Kitsuki about all of this.”
“Of course,” Liros replied, standing as well. “Remember, Auslin. You don’t have to carry this fate alone. Trust in your bond with Kitsuki and in what you feel for Maseo. Love has a way of making impossible things possible.”
Hibiki disappeared back into Auslin’s ring before he left to return to the Living Realm.
The knowledge Liros had imparted felt like both a gift and a curse. He understood what needed to be done, but knowing and being able to act on it were very different matters.
How could Auslin kill the man he loved to save him?
Chapter 49
Maseo
