Page 68 of Lord of the Lone Wolf (Bonded Hearts #3)

Sephen

T he familiar sound of their chamber doors opening drew Sephen’s gaze from his treatise on ancient magical theory, but the sight of his mate entering their sanctuary captured his full attention.

Kisano moved with careful, measured steps, clutching something against his chest with the reverence he reserved for his most precious artifacts.

All the painted fore-edges of their personal library caught the lamplight, creating a backdrop of flowing landscapes and botanical illustrations that transformed their shelves into a work of art.

The space had become his haven, a perfect blend of scholarship and beauty reflecting both their personalities.

However, something felt different about the way Kisano carried himself, as if he bore the weight of momentous news.

Sephen marked his place in his book before setting it aside. His mate deserved his complete attention, especially when he looked so troubled. “Welcome back. How did your conversation with Kitsuki go?”

Kisano’s expression was a mixture of wonder, confusion, and fear. He moved toward their reading alcove with deliberate care, still protecting whatever he held against his chest.

Sephen’s scholarly instincts focused in on the object in Kisano’s arms. Even from a distance, he could tell it was a book unlike any in their vast collection. The binding had an unusual metallic purple sheen that seemed to shift in the light.

“Did Kitsuki bring that back from Kunushi?” Sephen asked, his excitement growing as he studied the extraordinary craftsmanship.

“He did,” Kisano confirmed, settling into the chair beside him.

Delight bloomed in Sephen’s chest. “He’s such a good brother. Even amidst war and chaos, he still took the time to find something unique for your collection. That’s the kind of thoughtfulness that makes him such a wonderful king.”

But instead of the pleased smile Sephen expected, Kisano’s expression grew more complicated, shadows gathering in his eyes. “Actually, my brother told me this was a gift from our father to atone for treating me with ambivalence while he was alive.”

Sephen tilted his head, trying to make sense of words that contradicted everything he knew about the situation. “Your father? But how could he have given Kitsuki anything? He’s been dead for centuries.”

The explanation that followed left Sephen feeling as though the ground had shifted beneath him.

Ishibiya had summoned Tatsuki from the Beyond Realm, forcing the former king’s soul into the body of a reanimated skeleton and using him as a weapon against his own children.

The violation and sheer cruelty of such magic made Sephen’s stomach turn with revulsion.

“That’s horrible,” he breathed, color draining from his face as the full implications sank in. “To violate someone’s eternal rest in such a way, to force them to fight against their own children, is unforgivable.”

“It was,” Kisano agreed, his voice heavy with the weight of shared trauma. “But before Father returned to the Everlight Vale, he asked Kitsuki to give me this. He said it was the only Beyond text in the Living Realm and that he wanted my library to be the greatest in Talwyn.”

Sephen stared at the book with newfound appreciation. “It’s an actual text from the afterlife?”

“Indeed. I have never seen anything like it.” Kisano held it out to him, and Sephen accepted it with trembling hands.

The book seemed to pulse with life, as if it contained not only words but actual consciousness. “I can feel something,” he murmured, his voice filled with wonder and a touch of awe. “Considering it’s from the realm of the dead, it feels alive.”

With infinite care, Sephen opened the cover and turned to a random page in the middle. His breath caught in his throat as the text revealed itself. The letters glowed with an internal light, shifting and changing as if responding to his attention. Each illustration was a masterpiece.

“This is extraordinary,” he breathed, turning the page with the delicate touch that years of handling ancient manuscripts had taught him. “Wow.”

Each page revealed new wonders. The text appeared to be written in multiple languages.

Some he recognized from his extensive studies, while others seemed to exist beyond mortal linguistic understanding.

The way the words shifted and flowed suggested that the book was revealing different layers of meaning depending on how he approached it.

“Father said he wanted to show me the affection he never should have withheld while he was alive,” Kisano added, his voice thick with emotion, making Sephen’s heart ache in sympathy. “For all those years, I thought he saw me as nothing but a disappointment, and now…”

Sephen looked up from the miraculous book, his expression full of tender understanding.

He could see the grief and relief from the long-buried hope of being acknowledged.

“It’s a shame he couldn’t express that while he was living, but I’m glad you know without a doubt he was proud of you all along. ”

The simple truth of it eased some of the tension in Kisano’s shoulders, but Sephen sensed there was more weighing on his mate’s mind. “Did something else happen?”

“Kitsuki also requested that I become the new king of Kunushi.”

Sephen’s head snapped up so quickly he worried he might have strained something. “What?”

“He wants me to become the new king of Kunushi,” Kisano repeated. “He believes I’m what the kingdom needs to heal after Nasume’s reign of terror.”

Sephen closed the miraculous book and leaned back in his chair, his mind reeling as he tried to process the magnitude of the revelation. King Kisano of Kunushi . The possibilities were both thrilling and terrifying. “What did you tell him?”

“I told him I needed to speak with you first since this decision affects both of us. I could not make it without your input.”

He pressed a sweet, lingering kiss to his mate’s lips, pouring all his gratitude into the gentle contact. “Thank you for considering my feelings and including me in something this important. That means everything to me.”

When they separated, Sephen linked their hands, needing the physical connection while they navigated a tough conversation. “How do you feel about being king?”

“Terrified. I have never left Tiora, let alone Valzerna. The idea of traveling to another kingdom and ruling people I’ve never met is overwhelming.”

Sephen’s heart ached at the uncertainty in Kisano’s voice, but his mind was already working through logical arguments to address each concern.

“But you’ve helped Kitsuki rule for centuries.

You’ve served as regent during his absences, making important decisions that affected every citizen.

You have far more experience with governance than you give yourself credit for. ”

“That was different,” Kisano protested. “I was supporting Kitsuki’s established reign, following precedents he had already set. We would build a new government in a kingdom devastated by tyranny.”

“Which is why they need someone with your compassion and wisdom,” Sephen countered. “Someone who understands that true strength comes from building people up, not tearing them down.”

Kisano shook his head, his grip tightening on Sephen’s hand. “But I am not a wolf shifter. How can I rule citizens whose nature I do not share? They will never accept a dragon as their king, especially one who has never proven himself in battle.”

“That’s why you’re perfect. You won’t be bound by their traditional thinking or ancient grudges. You can bring a fresh perspective to problems that have festered for generations.”

“But what if I make the wrong decision?” Kisano asked, his brow furrowed with concern. “I do not have the military might to protect them from threats like Ishibiya.”

The vulnerability in Kisano’s words prompted Sephen to squeeze his hands, anchoring them both with physical contact.

“Isn’t Reskin’s philosophy that true leadership is not measured by using the sword but by the wisdom to know when to sheathe it?

” Sephen asked, drawing on the foundation of their intellectual connection.

“The most reluctant rulers are often the most just, because they understand power as a burden rather than a prize.”

Kisano nodded, unable to trust his voice.

“That’s what Kunushi needs right now,” Sephen continued, his passion growing as the vision crystallized in his mind.

“A ruler who sees beyond surface differences, who understands that strength comes from unity and compassion. You’ve spent centuries studying history, learning from the mistakes of past rulers. You know what works and what doesn’t.”

“Theoretically.”

Sephen’s excitement built as possibilities bloomed in his imagination.

“Then it’s time to put that knowledge to use.

Think of all the good we could do for the people of Kunushi.

They’ve suffered under Nasume’s cruelty.

We could make their kingdom a safe place for half-shifters and shifters of every type.

We could build schools and libraries to promote learning and understanding instead of fear and hatred.

Maybe that’s why Kizoshi told us we’d meet Liros someday soon. ”

“You would leave all this behind when you also have never left Valzerna?” Kisano asked.

“Of course I would. You’re my beloved bondmate. Wherever you go, I go. Besides,” he added with a grin as another exciting possibility occurred to him, “I bet Nasume has a library we could take advantage of.”

“I fear letting everyone down,” Kisano admitted, lowering his head in shame at his weakness. “What if I cannot be the leader they need? What if I fail them the way so many rulers have throughout history?”

The fear in his words ignited Sephen’s protective nature.

He squeezed Kisano’s hands, drawing his mate’s attention back to his face.

“You are the kindest, most compassionate person I’ve ever known.

The only one as smart as you is Liros himself.

You’ve dedicated your entire life to learning and understanding, to finding peaceful solutions instead of violent ones. ”

“But what if it is not enough?”

“Then we’ll figure it out together,” Sephen promised, tightening his grip on Kisano’s hands as he poured all his conviction into the words. “Every challenge is manageable because we’re in this as partners. You’ll have me supporting you when the problems seem overwhelming.”

“Yes, however?—”

Sephen talked over Kisano’s protests. “And you have your dragon now, that incredible strength that’s been sleeping inside you for so long.

You’ll have Kitsuki and Kizoshi’s guidance.

Most importantly, you’ll earn the love and respect of people who desperately need someone to show them that their lives have value. ”

“You think I should do it?” Kisano asked, his voice small but carrying a note of hope that made Sephen’s heart soar.

“Yes, you’re what Kunushi needs to heal and prosper,” Sephen replied with absolute conviction. “Has Kizoshi told you anything yet?”

“She confirmed it is our fate, urging me to accept with Sophina’s blessing.”

Sephen nodded in agreement. “If the Fate Power herself said this was our fate, then it’s time for us to trust in something bigger than our fears and start the next chapter of our adventure.”

The word “adventure” seemed to spark a flame of excitement that pushed back against the shadows of doubt in Kisano’s eyes. “If you believe in me that much and Sophina sees this as our fate, then I will do it. No, we will do it.”

The smile that spread across Sephen’s face felt like it might split his cheeks, but he couldn’t contain the happiness that flooded through him. “Really? You mean it?”

Kisano nodded. “While I still harbor some doubts, I will trust in your faith in me.”

Sephen surged forward, capturing Kisano’s lips in a passionate kiss full of promise. It tasted like new beginnings and shared dreams of a love that could conquer kingdoms and heal broken realms.

When they separated, the space between them seemed to crackle with excitement and possibility.

“I love you, my king,” Sephen said, the words feeling right on his tongue.

The title sent a visible shiver through Kisano, transforming his mate’s entire posture. Whatever Kunushi held for them, they would meet it together by showing that love and wisdom could outlast cruelty and ignorance.