Page 26 of Lord of the Lone Wolf (Bonded Hearts #3)

Kizoshi

M eeting Maseo had gone better than Kizoshi had expected. All the pieces were falling into place.

She found Auslin on the veranda of his chambers, a book open in his lap as he basked in the afternoon sunlight. The garden below was in full bloom, bursting with colors that reflected in the small pond at its center. Hibiki lay curled at his feet, his purple flames rippling with each breath.

Auslin startled when she sat next to him. “What a pleasant surprise!”

“The best revelations arrive unannounced.” She glanced at the book he had been reading. “Healing techniques for battlefield injuries? Planning ahead, I see.”

“I’m happy to see you as a friend,” Auslin said, his voice softening. “But I can’t help worrying about what it means when the War Power herself arrives at our doorstep while Nasume is making evil plans.”

Kizoshi studied him, noting the shadows under his eyes and the tension in his shoulders. “Speaking of Nasume, I encountered Maseo on my way to see you.”

The change in Auslin was subtle but unmistakable. “What did you think of him?”

“That he is far too kind to be the son of such a cruel beast. How do you feel about him?”

Auslin set his book aside and looked down at the pond, as if the answer to some inner question might hide in the ripples. “It’s complicated.”

“Most things worth unraveling usually are.”

His brow furrowed. “I don’t understand my reaction to him.”

“Is it that you do not understand, or do you not want to understand?” The distinction mattered.

Rather than answering, Auslin pivoted. “I’m worried about his safety. I know it doesn’t make sense, given our history, but I want to protect him.”

Kizoshi’s gaze softened. “Your heart has a remarkable capacity for love. One of the many gifts your healing powers bestowed upon you is being able to reach those who have closed themselves off from believing they deserve affection.”

Auslin frowned, struggling to articulate his concerns. “I keep having strange thoughts about him and Kitsuki together, and I don’t know what to make of them.”

“Perhaps you need to accept it rather than explain it.”

Auslin gave her a suspicious look. “You know something.”

A smile played on her lips. “I know many things.”

“About Maseo specifically. About these confusing feelings I’m having.”

“Hearts recognize what minds often cannot comprehend.” She studied his face. “Tell me, when you envision Maseo’s happiness, what do you see?”

Auslin was silent for a long moment. “Him being safe. Loved. Not having to fight for scraps of affection.” He paused, color rising in his cheeks. “Sometimes I picture him with us, which makes no sense because that’s not how mating bonds work.”

“Are you so certain of the rules that govern the heart?”

“The trinity bond is a legend in fairy tales,” Auslin said, but his voice lacked conviction. “I find it hard to believe when I’m not a full Power and neither Maseo nor myself are fully human. It wouldn’t work for us.”

“Legends often carry more truth than history books.” Kizoshi’s expression grew thoughtful. “What troubles you more? The possibility that such a bond could exist or that you might want it to?”

Auslin’s hands clenched in his lap. “I love Kitsuki. That hasn’t changed. But when I think about Maseo leaving Valzerna alone to find his own path elsewhere, I feel like I can’t breathe.” He shook his head. “It feels wrong.”

“And what does your mate think of these feelings?”

“We’re both too afraid to discuss it.”

“Perhaps you should trust what you both feel rather than what you think you should.”

Auslin looked away. “It doesn’t matter if Maseo doesn’t feel the same way.”

“Do you believe he does not?”

“I don’t know. He’s been through so much trauma. The last thing he needs is pressure from us about something he might not even want.”

Kizoshi nodded. “Your consideration for his autonomy speaks well of you. But do not assume his past pain has closed his heart.”

“He deserves better than what life has given him,” Auslin said, steering the conversation back to safer ground.

“Remember, love is not a finite resource, Auslin. It grows to fill the spaces we allow it. What you feel for Maseo does not diminish what you share with my brother. If anything, it proves the strength of your heart.”

Understanding dawned in his eyes, followed by denial. “You think I have feelings for Maseo?”

“I think there is a reason you have such vehement reactions to the half-wolf shifter.”

Auslin shook his head. “That’s—I don’t—” He took a deep breath. “Even if that were true, it wouldn’t matter. Kitsuki is my mate.”

“And he has been showing quite an interest in Maseo himself, has he not?”

He studied her, trying to decipher her hidden meaning. “What makes you say that?”

“My brother’s dragon is not as subtle as he believes.” She tapped her finger where Maseo wore the ring Kitsuki had created to protect him from afar. “Neither are you, for that matter.”

Auslin’s expression grew troubled. “But why? I don’t understand.”

She reached out to touch his arm. “There is nothing wrong with what you feel, Auslin. Nothing at all. Your heart recognizes what was always meant to be.”

He didn’t seem reassured. “I don’t know what I’m feeling. That’s the problem.”

Kizoshi squeezed his arm before letting go. “Everything will unfold as it must. Clarity approaches with each heartbeat.”

Auslin sighed. “I should be used to your cryptic reassurances by now.”

“Have I ever misled you?”

“No,” he conceded. “But speaking of the war, I need to be there when they face Nasume.”

Her expression softened. “Auslin?—”

“Please hear me out. My healing powers could save countless lives on the battlefield. I could make a difference.”

“You will,” she assured him, “but not in the manner you envision.”

Frustration flashed across his expression. “By staying behind? How does that help anyone?”

“It is paramount that you remain at the castle,” Kizoshi said, her voice firm yet gentle. “You are Kitsuki and Maseo’s reason for returning.”

Auslin blinked. “And Maseo’s?”

“Yes.”

He scowled. “That doesn’t make sense.”

“By remaining here, you give them something to fight for. You will do more good than if you were on the front lines with them.”

Auslin looked down at his hands. “I hate feeling useless.”

“You are many things, Auslin. Useless has never been one of them.” She reached across to lift his chin, making him meet her eyes. “Trust me in this. Your place is here.”

The fight seemed to drain out of him. “I do trust you. But I wish I could do more. Sitting here, waiting for them to come home, doesn’t seem like enough when they’re risking their lives to end Nasume’s tyranny.”

“I know.” Her smile was sympathetic. “Watching those we love walk into danger requires a different kind of courage. Sometimes, the bravest act is to wait.”

“Will Kitsuki and Maseo be okay?” Auslin asked in a small voice.

“War exacts its price from all who dare to enter its domain. But those who fight with love as their shield often survive what would destroy others. The path ahead will test every bond between you, but if you hold fast to what matters most, you will find your way through.”

Auslin’s shoulders tensed. “More riddles.”

“Truth often wears that disguise until we are ready to face it.” She took his hands in hers, feeling the healing magic pulse beneath his skin. “I urge you to believe what seems like an ending is the only path to a true beginning.”

Silence stretched between them, filled only by Hibiki’s soft breathing and the distant call of frost hawks circling the castle towers. “What are you trying to prepare me for?”

“The future, where you will have to trust yourself to do what must be done. It is the only way.”

Auslin hesitated. “And if I make the wrong decision?”

“Have faith in yourself, Auslin. Your love has already proven stronger than time once. It will do so again.” She stopped him when he protested. “Going through Fate’s Gate rewrote the path of your life. As long as you remain true to yourself, it will not lead you astray.”

“Although I may seem ungrateful, I appreciate your honesty, even when it’s not what I want to hear.”

Kizoshi nodded once, a solemn acknowledgment passing between them.

“That is the burden of my role. I carry truths before others are prepared to hold them. But we will have reason to speak again later. Be well, Auslin. Be brave.” She stood, smoothing the gold folds of her dress around her.

Hibiki’s tail flicked, his glowing gaze tracking her movement.

The garden below shimmered in the afternoon light, yet its warmth failed to penetrate the chill settling in her bones. She could sense the Living Realm shifting beneath her, the weight of prophecy tugging at the edges of her consciousness.

Three hearts. Two choices. One impossible fate. All of it lay in wait for them.

As she left Auslin on the veranda and stepped back into the corridor, she allowed herself a last glance at the healer who had never asked to stand at the center of fate.

He would not remain untouched by the storm to come. None of them would. But she would ensure it was worth every sacrifice.