Page 64 of Lord of the Lone Wolf (Bonded Hearts #3)

Auslin

D espite the midday hour, the library windows remained dark as the storm clouds outside reflected Auslin’s somber mood.

Rain pattered against the glass, creating a melancholy rhythm that echoed the heaviness in his chest. He stood before the tall shelves, fingers tracing the spines of ancient healing tomes he had already consulted dozens of times over the past months.

“Perhaps you should take a break,” Sephen suggested, his usual cheerful demeanor subdued as he looked up from his scroll. “You’ve been at this since dawn.”

Auslin pulled another volume from the shelf. “I need to be prepared for any injuries they might return with.”

Kisano glanced up from his seat near the hearth, the flickering flames casting shadows across his face. Though he wore the mask of royal composure, Auslin could see the worry etched in the tight line of his mouth. “My brother is the most skilled warrior in all Valzerna. He will return to you.”

“I know he’s safe,” Auslin said, setting the book down with a sigh. “I can feel it through our bond. But that doesn’t stop me from worrying about what he’s facing, especially after I felt him reaching for power through our connection.”

Fersen gave him a sympathetic look. “Jaega shields our bond to protect me from worrying. He doesn’t realize that not knowing is worse.”

“It is difficult when our last message delivered by the courier didn’t have as many details about what happened in Norello as we would have preferred,” Kisano added. “Even with the bonds you share, the lack of concrete information weighs on all our spirits.”

Auslin pressed his palm against his chest, focusing on the warm pulse of his mating bond. “Fersen, do you feel different? I swear Kitsuki feels closer.”

Fersen shook his head. “Sorry, nothing has changed for me.”

“It’s probably my imagination playing tricks on me.”

Before anyone could respond, the library doors swung open. A young servant girl entered, her cheeks flushed from running. She bowed before addressing them. “Your Highness, His Majesty has returned and requests your immediate presence in your chambers.”

Joy and disbelief warred in Auslin’s chest. Kitsuki was home. After months of worry and sleepless nights, his mate had come home.

“Thank you,” Auslin said to her.

Kisano and Fersen exchanged looks of interest. Sephen moved closer to Auslin, a knowing smile beginning to form.

“Go,” Kisano urged. “We will await word.”

Auslin nodded, trying to maintain his composure, although every instinct screamed at him to run.

The corridors of the palace blurred past as he walked with measured steps, each one bringing him closer to the reunion he’d been craving.

Their bond grew stronger with each step.

He took a steadying breath, his hands trembling as he pushed the doors open.

Their room beyond was dim, with the curtains drawn against the stormy day. For a moment, Auslin thought it empty until a figure moved near the balcony.

Kitsuki stood there in his royal attire, looking as if he had never left for war.

Auslin threw himself into his mate’s arms with a sob of pure relief.

“I have returned to you as promised,” Kitsuki murmured against Auslin’s hair. “I am home.”

Auslin clung to him as their bond flared, flooding him with warmth as their connection strengthened with proximity. He pulled back to take Kitsuki’s face between his hands, reassuring himself that his mate was with him. “I knew something felt different this morning.”

“Forgive me for not sending word, but I knew I would reach home before a messenger.”

Auslin’s relief gave way to a surge of joy, love, and an overwhelming need to be closer.

He pulled Kitsuki down, their lips meeting in a kiss that started gentle but deepened with the hunger of separation.

Kitsuki responded in kind, one hand tangling in Auslin’s hair while the other pressed against the small of his back, eliminating any space between them. Their bond sang with reunion.

It was a challenge to stop when Auslin had spent so many nights dreaming about that very moment, but he pulled back. “Does this mean the war is over?”

Kitsuki nodded, his expression grave despite the victory. “Nasume is dead. Kunushi has surrendered.”

The weight Auslin had been carrying for weeks lifted, leaving him light-headed with relief. He pressed his forehead against his mate’s, closing his eyes and offering a prayer of gratitude to Sophina. “Thank the Powers.”

“There will be much to discuss in the coming days. The transition of power in Kunushi, the terms of peace, the rebuilding efforts.”

“But that can wait,” Auslin insisted, moving to unfasten the clasps of Kitsuki’s formal robes. “Right now, all I want is you.”

Kitsuki caught Auslin’s wandering hands, bringing them to his lips to press a kiss against the knuckles. “While I would love nothing more than to reacquaint myself with every inch of your beautiful body, there is something that must be done first.”

The serious tone in Kitsuki’s voice made Auslin’s stomach drop. Auslin searched for injuries his mate might be trying to hide, but he couldn’t feel anything physically wrong through their bond. But the terse set of Kitsuki’s jaw made Auslin’s fears come rushing back. “What aren’t you telling me?”

Kitsuki hesitated, a rare uncertainty crossing his features. “Nasume did not go down without a fight.”

Cold dread washed over Auslin. “Are you hurt? Was Maseo?”

“Thanks to Maseo, I am unharmed. His bravery in killing his father saved us all.”

“Did he get hurt?”

The look in Kitsuki’s eyes told Auslin everything before he spoke. “He was injured through Nasume’s necromancy.”

Auslin reeled back in horror. “He can use necromancy now?”

Devastation radiated through their bond. “Unfortunately. It is why the auramancer on the war front could not help Maseo, but the healer offered him some pain relief on the journey home. He will lose his eye and possibly his life unless you can accomplish what she could not.”

“Where is he?” Auslin demanded, his healer’s instincts taking over.

“He is resting in the eastern wing of our family quarters,” Kitsuki said. “Attend to him now while I speak with Kisano. Uncle Jaega and Kizoshi remained in Kunushi to oversee the Claim of Conquest. They will not return for several weeks.”

Auslin nodded, rising on his toes to press another quick kiss to Kitsuki’s lips. “I love you. Thank you for coming home safely.”

“I regret I could not do the same for Maseo.”

“As long as he’s alive, I can fix it. I won’t let him lose anything else after everything he’s sacrificed.”

Kitsuki brushed a strand of hair from Auslin’s face, his touch lingering. “Go to him now. We will have our proper reunion once Maseo is safe.”

With one last embrace, Auslin pulled away from his mate and hurried from their chambers. He refused to let Maseo suffer for his bravery.

Auslin paused outside the door, gathering his courage before knocking.

There was a moment of silence before it opened to reveal Maseo, who looked far more haggard than when Auslin had last seen him.

His right eye was clear and alert, but the left was covered with a simple white bandage.

Though he stood tall, Auslin could see the strain in his posture, the careful way he held himself to minimize pain.

The sight of his friend’s injury hit Auslin hard. Without thinking, he threw his arms around Maseo in a fierce embrace. “I’m so glad you’re back! I’ve been so worried about you.”

Maseo tensed at the sudden contact with a small gasp before he returned the hug, his movements careful as if afraid to hold too tight.

With Maseo and Kitsuki back in Tiora, Auslin felt complete in a way he hadn’t since they had departed for war.