Page 152 of Lord of the Lone Wolf
When they reached the royal chambers, Kitsuki headed for the bathroom, where the large stone bath waited, filled with steaming water maintained at the perfect temperature through magical enchantments.
“We need to get you both cleaned up,” he said, his voice gentle but firm. “The blood needs to be washed away so we can see if any injuries remain.”
He gestured with one hand, calling upon his magic to remove their bloodstained clothing. The garments vanished, leaving all three bare in the candlelit chamber.
Maseo’s face flushed at finding himself naked in front of both men. “But I should return to my own chambers. I don’t want to impose.”
“You will do no such thing,” Kitsuki replied, his tone carrying quiet authority. “You belong here with us.”
Kitsuki helped Maseo settle into the warm water on a step to avoid submerging his ribs. Auslin joined them, sinking into the bath with a sigh that echoed his own exhaustion. The shallow cut on his arm from Kio’s dagger had already stopped bleeding, but it still required attention.
The sight of both men in his bath sent possessive satisfaction through Kitsuki’s dragon. Everything was as it should be. His mates were safe under his protection, allowing him to care for them as they deserved.
Auslin’s healing magic flowed over the cut on his own arm first, sealing it within moments. Then he moved closer to Maseo to help remove the bandages from his ribs.
Kitsuki positioned himself behind Maseo, unwinding the stained bandages around his shoulder to examine the recent injury. What he saw sickened him.
The necromancy had claimed significant territory within the fresh wound. Dark veins of corruption spread outward from the deepest parts, and putrid fluid wept from the blackened edges despite Auslin’s earlier efforts. The stench of decay mingled with the bath’s steam, making Kitsuki’s dragon recoil in visceral horror.
“This should not be possible,” Kitsuki said in distress. “How did the necromancy establish a stronghold here?”
“Kio skewered me to the wall, then jerked the sword up to make it hurt more. When it connected to the gash on my back, it attacked the new stab wound,” Maseo replied.
“I could heal some of it before it took full control,” Auslin added.
Kitsuki washed the blood from Maseo’s skin, taking great care around the patchwork of healing and decay that told its own awful story. His dragon howled for vengeance, despite knowing Kio no longer existed in the Living Realm.
Auslin worked from the front, moving in tandem with Kitsuki to wash away the evidence of violence. But the gaping swordwound remained a stark reminder of how much territory the necromancy had gained in such a short time.
Kitsuki summoned the remaining supplies from their journey back to Tiora. The medicine the military healer had prepared appeared at the edge of the bath, along with clean bandages.
“We need to apply the poultice to the areas your magic could not reach,” Kitsuki told Auslin. “It can provide pain relief, even if we cannot heal it.”
Auslin tended to the front of Maseo’s chest and ribs, while Kitsuki focused on the devastation on his back. Maseo endured the treatment in stoic silence.
After they wrapped the wounds with bandages, Maseo sank back against the rim of the bath, careful to stay above the water so they didn’t get wet. “Thank you for caring when you have no reason to do so.”
The words pierced Kitsuki’s heart with their simple honesty. Maseo still believed himself unworthy of care and thought their concern was mere charity rather than genuine affection. It reflected the depth of damage his past had inflicted.
Kitsuki reached out to give the top of Maseo’s shoulder a gentle squeeze. His voice was full of quiet conviction. “You are mistaken about having no reason.”
Auslin took Maseo’s hand, their fingers intertwining beneath the water. “You matter to us.”
“But we will discuss that after you have rested,” Kitsuki added.
When they emerged from the bath, Kitsuki used his magic to dry them and clothe them in soft sleeping garments.
He led them to the enormous bed that dominated the royal chamber, but when he guided Maseo toward it, the half-wolf shifter balked.
“I can’t sleep here,” Maseo protested. “It wouldn’t be appropriate.”
“As king, I decide what is appropriate within my own chambers. And my royal decree is you belong here with us.” Having both mates safe within reach satisfied something primal in his nature that demanded protection of those he claimed as his own.
Yes, his dragon whispered with deep satisfaction.Our mates together, safe in our den. This is how it should be.
Despite his protests, Maseo was too exhausted to mount any serious resistance. With help, he settled between them on the massive bed, his body sinking into the soft mattress with a sigh of relief as the heavy comforter covered them.
As they arranged themselves for sleep, Kitsuki noticed Auslin’s unusual silence. His mate lay still as stone, his eyes filled with too much knowledge and pain.
