Page 81 of Lord of the Lone Wolf
It was not a declaration of affection, nor the impossible confession that a small, foolish part of Maseo had dared to hopefor. Yet, from a dragon king to a half-wolf shifter with no pack or magic, it was extraordinary.
“I am honored by your concern,” Maseo said, the formal words at odds with the tumult of emotions within him.
“Which is why I ask you to trust me in return. Understand that I have your best interests at heart when I refuse to let you undertake this deadly mission.”
Maseo wanted to argue further, to insist that he could help, that he should risk himself the same as any other soldier. “I trust you and your mate with my life. Although I wish I could do more to repay you for saving mine.”
“You have already done more than you know,” Kitsuki replied. “The information you provided about the sewers may well save countless lives. Our elite forces will make good use of it.”
Maseo nodded, accepting the compromise even as disappointment lingered. “Is there anything else I can tell you about Norello that might help?”
“Yes,” Kitsuki said, seizing on the change of subject with palpable relief. “Tell me about the guard rotations and the areas your father considers most important to protect.”
For the next hour, Maseo detailed everything he could remember about the castle’s defenses, from the locations of guard posts, the timing of patrol changes, and the secret passages his father believed no one knew about.
As they worked, both men clung to the pretense of normalcy with desperate determination. They spoke of tactics and strategies, as if the charged encounter between them had never occurred.
Yet beneath the surface of their professional collaboration, tension hummed like a plucked bowstring. Each time their hands brushed while pointing to the same location on the map, Maseo felt a jolt of awareness that made his breath catch.
When they had exhausted Maseo’s knowledge, Kitsuki straightened, rolling up the castle blueprint. “Thank you. This information will prove invaluable.”
“I’m glad to be of service.”
A silence fell between them again, less tense than before but still full of unspoken sentiments.
“You should go,” Kitsuki said, his tone kinder than his words. “We have many preparations to make before tomorrow’s march.”
The dismissal stung, but Maseo recognized the finality in Kitsuki’s tone. Whatever had happened between them, the king had no intention of discussing it further. With a respectful bow that concealed the confusion in his eyes, Maseo turned and left the tent.
The night air felt cool against his flushed skin as he made his way back through the camp. Soldiers nodded to him as he passed. But his mind kept replaying the dragon’s touch, his words, and the press of his body against Maseo’s. He still suffered from an unfulfilled need, his heat intensified by the brief contact that had inflamed his desires without satisfying them.
You are ours to protect.
The possessiveness in that statement seemed to transcend the duty of a king.
But that was impossible. Kitsuki was mated to Auslin, bound by a connection that transcended ordinary relationships. Whatever his dragon might feel or the fleeting concern the king himself might harbor, it could never fulfill what Maseo’s treacherous heart longed for.
And yet, he couldn’t forget how Kitsuki’s eyes had burned with silver fire, the fierce protectiveness in his voice when he spoke of keeping Maseo safe, nor could he dismiss the mention of the fabled trinity bond. He could still feel the heat of Kitsuki’s body against his own, the unmistakable evidence of desire that shocked and thrilled him. Most of all, he couldn’t forget how he had responded with instincts to submit he didn’t understand.
Maseo stopped walking before he reached his tent, staring up at the stars that glittered above the forest. His heart felt turned into a battlefield where hope warred with doubt, longing with resignation. He had no right to want more from Kitsuki than the king had already given him.
It was difficult not to get his hopes up when Kitsuki’s dragon had spoken. He couldn’t comprehend that the king might see him as someone worth protecting, not out of duty, but for something more personal.
It was a dangerous thought that could only lead to disappointment. Whatever Kitsuki’s dragon had meant, the king himself had made his position clear. Maseo needed to focus on the war ahead, the coming confrontation with his father, and surviving long enough to see what might come after.
But as he continued toward his tent, the memory of silver eyes burning with protective fire followed him, a warmth against the growing chill of the night. Deep within, a foolish hope refusedto die, whispering that perhaps he meant more to Kitsuki than either of them could admit yet.
Chapter 29
Kitsuki
Heat soaked into Kitsuki’s tired muscles as he eased deeper into the bath, tension melting from his limbs one ache at a time. The clever Enchanter magic maintained the perfect temperature, which was a small luxury amid the harsh realities of warfare. Steam rose from the water’s surface, filling the private bathing area of his command tent with a comforting haze.
Weeks had passed since Lieutenant Norkon had departed with the elite team of Enchanters and warriors to dismantle the Deathward Constellation. They hadn’t received any word or confirmation of success or failure. Logic told him that communication across enemy territory was difficult at best and impossible at worst. Yet the silence weighed upon him as another burden atop the countless others he carried as king.
His dragon stirred within him, a constant presence that had grown harder to control.
We should summon Maseo, his dragon urged.It has been too long since we saw him.
