Page 32 of Lord of the Lone Wolf (Bonded Hearts #3)
“And your dragon hates that,” Auslin guessed, sensing the tension in Kitsuki’s frame.
“He rages against it,” Kitsuki confirmed. “We want to defy fate, to kill Nasume ourselves, and spare Maseo the risk. The conflict is difficult to manage.”
“That’s why you insisted we can’t talk to him about how we feel until after you return from Kunushi.”
“Yes,” Kitsuki replied, relieved that Auslin understood without further explanation. “He must face Nasume with a clear mind, focused on his own path. If we burden him with our confusion and unresolved feelings…”
“It would only complicate things for him,” Auslin finished. “We can’t make him question himself when he needs certainty the most.”
Kitsuki shifted positions, earning a whimper of pleasure from his mate as it rocked the knot inside him. “After the war, when he has faced his father and found his own resolution, then perhaps we can explore what this means. What we all mean to each other.”
“For what it’s worth, the way he reacted to my heat scent makes me think he would share our interest.” Auslin sighed, a shadow of worry crossing his face. “I understand why it’s the right decision, but it doesn’t make it any easier to watch him march off to war, knowing he’ll face such danger.”
Kitsuki agreed, but it pained him to admit. “Allowing him to walk into danger when every instinct screams at me to protect him is a struggle.”
“Like you protect me.”
“It is why I cannot risk having you there,” Kitsuki explained. “Sending him into battle is hard enough. If both of you were on the front lines, I could not fight the way I must.”
Auslin’s expression turned thoughtful. “Maybe this is meant to teach us to trust in his strength and our own.”
“Perhaps. My dragon has always been possessive and protective. Learning to let go is difficult.”
“No, but Maseo is stronger than anyone gives him credit for. He survived his father’s cruelty for years. He’ll survive this battle, too.”
“Kizoshi promised as much,” Kitsuki said, though the reassurance felt hollow. “But knowing it intellectually and accepting it emotionally are two different matters.”
His knot receded, allowing him to slip free of Auslin’s body. He moved to lie beside his mate, gathering him close against his chest. The loss of intimate connection left him bereft.
They fell silent again, each lost in thought. The reality of the coming dawn and the war that awaited meant whatever discoveries they had made tonight would have to wait, set aside until peace reigned and they were all safe.
“I know why I can’t go, but I hate feeling so useless.”
“You have the most important job of all,” Kitsuki assured him, tilting his face up for a tender kiss. His hand covered Auslin’s where it rested on the symbol of their connection to Maseo. “You are my reason for coming home.”
A knock on the door interrupted their conversation. Kitsuki tensed, pulling Auslin closer as if to shield him from the intrusion. His dragon bristled at having their precious time together disturbed.
“Your Majesty,” a servant’s voice called out. “Forgive the interruption, but General Jaega is requesting your presence. He says there are pressing matters requiring your immediate attention.”
“I will be there soon,” he replied.
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Footsteps retreated down the hallway, leaving them alone once more.
Auslin’s arms tightened around him, his face pressed against Kitsuki’s chest. “I thought we would have until dawn.”
“So did I.” Kitsuki held in a sigh, his fingers combing through Auslin’s hair one last time. “But I must go.”
“I know. Your kingdom needs you.”
Kitsuki kissed him, trying to convey all the things he could not say. When they parted, he left the bed, summoning his magic to clothe himself in formal attire and mask the smell of their lovemaking.
Auslin watched him with flushed cheeks. “Will you come back before you leave?”
“Of course.” Kitsuki returned to give Auslin a parting kiss. “Wait for me.”
“Always.”
Kitsuki headed to his war room, where Jaega awaited him with a grave expression. “My apologies for the interruption, nephew.”
“Has something happened?” Kitsuki asked, glancing at the table covered in miniatures outlining their attack strategy.
“Our scouts reported an eerie green light in Nasume’s camp and the scent of death, but they could not get close enough to confirm whether the rumors about the necromancer Ishibiya’s presence were true. Regardless, they appear to be preparing for an early advance.”
Strategies and contingencies filled Kitsuki’s thoughts, pushing aside the lingering warmth of Auslin’s embrace. “Then we shall meet them sooner than expected.”
His dragon, however, remained focused on what they were leaving behind. We will return to him. To both of them.
It was more than a hope. It was a promise born of a king’s word and a dragon’s oath. He would face Nasume, bring an end to the centuries of conflict that had shadowed his reign, and build the everlasting peace his kingdom and Auslin deserved, giving Maseo a place where he could belong without fear.
Kitsuki’s expression grew resolute. “It seems our enemy grows impatient. Let us not keep him waiting.”