Page 53 of Lord of the Lone Wolf
Kitsuki’s hand drifted to the pendant again. It pulsed in rhythm with his heartbeat, serving as a constant reminder of the trust Maseo had placed in him.
He gave us his most precious possession. We treasure it as we treasure our mate’s gifts.
“It was a gesture of gratitude, nothing more.”
Then why do you wear it always? Why does your hand seek it when you think of him?
Kitsuki refused to answer.
The reports blurred before his eyes as he tried to concentrate. Supply lines and troop movements seemed insignificant compared to the weight of Kizoshi’s revelations. Maseo would face Nasume alone. The thought made his dragon writhe with the need to intervene, to protect, to claim.
Summon him, Kitsuki’s dragon demanded again.We must warn him about what our sister revealed.
“What purpose would that serve? It would only cause him unnecessary worry.”
Or would it allow him to prepare? To understand the magnitude of what approaches?
Kitsuki hated that his dragon was right. If Maseo was destined to fight his father, he deserved the chance to ready himself for what was coming.
And if Kitsuki was honest with himself, he needed to look into Maseo’s expressive eyes and assure himself that the young man was as strong as Kizoshi claimed. The protective urge was overwhelming, drowning out logic and propriety.
Yes, his dragon purred with satisfaction as Kitsuki reached for the bell that would summon a servant.Bring our pup to us.
“He is not ours,” Kitsuki muttered, but the protest sounded weak even to his own ears.
He could beif you would stop fighting what fate offers.
Kitsuki ignored the comment and instructed the servant who appeared. “Please ask Maseo to meet me in my office. Tell him it concerns the upcoming campaign.”
Once the servant left, Kitsuki tried to focus his thoughts. He would speak with Maseo about strategy, battle plans, and preparations. Nothing more.
But as his fingers toyed with the pendant again, he knew he was lying to himself.
The dragon settled into watchful anticipation, and Kitsuki could only wait for Maseo to arrive, wondering what truths the conversation might reveal.
Perhaps it is time to stop running from what we know to be true, his dragon suggested.
Kitsuki touched the wish pendant one more time, feeling its familiar warmth, and for the first time allowed himself to consider that his sister might be right about more than the war.
The possibility terrified and exhilarated him in equal measure.
Chapter 21
Maseo
Each step struck the marble with sharp intent as he headed toward the king’s private office. The servant who had summoned Maseo mentioned it concerned the upcoming campaign, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that the meeting connected to his earlier encounter with Kizoshi.
The War Power’s cryptic words still rang in his ears.You will have the honor to do what I have wished to do for many long centuries. What could she have meant? And why had she looked at him with such intensity when she spoke of vengeance against his father?
He paused outside the ornate door, taking a steadying breath before knocking.
“Enter.”
Kitsuki sat behind his desk, but his usual composed demeanor seemed strained. Dark circles shadowed his eyes, and tension radiated from his powerful frame. When their gazes met, something flickered across the king’s face that Maseo couldn’t identify.
Maseo bowed. “You wished to see me?”
“Please sit.” Kitsuki gestured to the chair across from his desk. “I understand you met with my sister today.”
