23. Kisano

Chapter 23

Kisano

N ormally, the prospect of carrying a prolonged conversation with a non-family member was the stuff of Kisano's nightmares. But as Auslin had promised, Sephen had the same magical ability to make Kisano feel like a close friend in a short amount of time. He couldn't help but be drawn to Sephen's ardent passion for books and all things Reskin. With his blond hair and dark green eyes, Sephen was handsome in an unassuming way.

"Please tell me everything about you," Sephen requested, holding his hands up in a silent plea. "Because I have to know more about you."

Unaccustomed to being the center of attention, Kisano could only blush. "I fear you will be disappointed that there is not much to tell. Most of my time is spent here in my library or with my family. I do not venture out into the real world very much."

"We're definitely the same. I practically live in the temple's library, although it seems like an insult to call it that compared to all this majesty," Sephen said, gesturing at the surrounding area. "The only time I come into the city section of Tiora is when I'm visiting the bookshop or obligated to manage the temple's stall at a festival. Otherwise, it's too crowded and chaotic for my tastes."

"Which bookshop do you frequent?" Kisano asked.

"Storybook Square. It's run by a turtle shifter named Samtar."

The answer pleased Kisano. "Samtar is an old family friend. If there is a book I cannot find, he always finds one for me."

"He's the best. I swear, he's one of my favorite people in the entire Living Realm."

Kisano arched an eyebrow in surprise. "Why is that?"

"He helped me find a first edition of Reskin's Sanctuary , which is my most prized possession. He always makes sure I get the first copy of any book by Reskin or Liros." Sephen sighed with a dreamy look in his eyes. "What I wouldn't give to see a Divine language copy of a Liros book. I dream about being able to read Knowing the Unknown in the Divine language someday. But even if Samtar could find me a copy, I'm too scared the mages would think I stole their version and take it away from me."

How was it every new revelation about Sephen was more intriguing than the last? "You can speak the Divine language?"

Sephen shook his head. "Oh, I wish. I taught myself how to read it by studying our library's sacred texts, but the mages never approved me to take language classes."

"But the Fate's Gate Temple worships both Liros and Sophina. You do not have any of their books in the original language?"

"The temple's library does, but I'm not high-ranking enough to have access to them. I tried sneaking into that forbidden part of the library once, and the elder mages punished me for it so severely I was too scared to try again."

Kisano frowned. "They should not have punished you for wanting to read what the mages are supposed to teach. Often, too many things get lost in translation."

"The annoying thing is, I'm a better translator than any of the elder mages, but I think that makes them angry." Sephen sighed heavily. "Don't get me wrong. I have a wonderful life at the temple for the most part. But they take entirely too much pleasure out of denying me access because I'm the only person at the temple who can't use magic. The sole reason I'm allowed to live there is because Elder Bancho was friends with my mother and Auslin's father."

"It is difficult being the only non-magic user when you are surrounded by people who excel at it." It was a long-standing frustration for Kisano. He rubbed the faint markings on his wrist. "I am a full shifter, but I was born without a dragon. It means I cannot access my magic, unlike my siblings."

Sephen's gaze was full of so much sympathy it was hard not to be moved by it. "I'm sorry you also know how much that sucks." His gaze turned playful. "It's probably the Powers' way of evening the scales because if you had magic on top of being so brilliant, you'd take over the Living Realm as the supreme ruler. No one would be better than you."

It surprised Kisano how easy it was for him to laugh with Sephen. "While I thank you for the compliment, I sincerely doubt that is true. Even if I had magic, I am content in my life here in my library." Kisano stood up. "Which reminds me. I will return in a moment."

Kisano found what he was looking for and quickly returned to Sephen's side. He held out a book to him. "Here."

Sephen's hands trembled as he accepted the offering. Tears welled up in his eyes as he looked at it with as much reverence as he had for Reskin's work. "You have a Divine copy of Knowing the Unknown ?" Sephen looked at Kisano with awe before returning his attention to the book. He opened it to the first page. "This is almost more goodness than my heart can handle."

"You seem to hold Liros in the same high esteem as Reskin."

"That's because Liros understands how much I love gaining knowledge. You'll probably laugh, but my dream book is one co-authored by them. With their otherworldly intelligence, it would be the most esoteric book ever written." Sephen got a faraway look in his eyes. "I mean, Liros must have a special place in his heart for Reskin, right?"

It was a curious question. "What makes you think that?"

"Liros is the Knowledge Power who controls all the wisdom in the Living Realm. He blessed Reskin with being the smartest person in Talwyn, trusting him with the task of spreading the wealth of knowledge gifted to him. That must mean Reskin holds a special place in Liros's heart, don't you think?"

Kisano stroked his chin as he considered the possibility. "I have never thought of it that way, but I can see the logic in your thinking. And you are right, a book written by them together would indeed be the height of arcane learning. It would certainly be an enlightening text." Why did the idea flood Kisano's body with an almost unbearable heat?

"I want it so badly," Sephen moaned, making Kisano's heartbeat quicken at how sexual the human sounded. It was unexpected from a mage. Although his sense of smell was nowhere as strong as his siblings', he caught the faintest whiff of how much the idea aroused Sephen's interest. It made something deep inside the shifter stir as the fire inside him burned hotter. "Sorry, I totally sidetracked myself. How did you get this book? Outside of temples that worship Powers, it's almost impossible to find Divine language books in the Living Realm."

"Having an indulgent sister who lives in the Divine Realm makes it a lot easier to acquire them." Kisano smiled as he thought about Kizoshi. It helped distract him from his body's strange reaction earlier. "She taught me the language as a child and brings me books from there every time she visits."

"Wait, that's right! The War Power would also be your sister, not just His Majesty's." He slapped himself on the forehead. "How did I not make that connection sooner?"

"Now that Father is gone, most people forget Kizoshi is a member of the Ariake clan. They instead remember her as being the daughter of Arenthia since she inherited her mother's mantle."

A shiver ran through Sephen. "She must be so scary."

"That is true if you are her enemy. But now that Mitsuki is gone, she has few occasions to put her wrath to use during her visits."

"Mitsuki?" It didn't escape Kisano's attention how Sephen's fingers lovingly caressed the book he still held. Why did that fluster him?

"He was our eldest brother." Kisano took a moment to figure out how best to explain their past. "Mitsuki was a cruel, hateful man. The only reason he left me alone is because the only person he feared was Kizoshi, who is very protective of me."

"Then I like her already." Sephen said it with such conviction that it touched Kisano.

"Mitsuki died in war centuries ago. Once he was gone, her visits home became very peaceful."

Sephen tilted his head as he tried to piece everything together. "Wait, if he died in war, and Kizoshi was the War Power, then she?—"

"He was the one who started the war, despite her warning him not to. Please do not think ill of her for fulfilling her responsibility. It was a dark time during Mitsuki's brief reign. She spared the lives of countless thousands of people with her actions. And it allowed Kitsuki to rule as the wise and peaceful king in place of the carnage Mitsuki rained down upon Valzerna."

"It sounds like she did what was necessary, so I'm in no position to judge her for doing the right thing," Sephen said.

Kisano sighed in relief that Sephen had the right attitude. "Like Kitsuki, she is a protector with a strong moral compass about what is right. Valzerna and Talwyn are better off because she is watching out for us."

Sephen tapped his chin. "Then I guess that's why there haven't been any wars as long as I've been alive?"

"Kitsuki does not share Father's and Mitsuki's bloodthirsty need to expand our lands. Kizoshi has no desire to put Kitsuki in harm's way, so she has taken every precaution to make sure Valzerna has known peace for centuries."

Sephen grinned. "Who knew having a sister for a War Power would be a superpower?"

"She is a remarkable person. Should you visit the castle more, you will likely meet her."

"I'll definitely be coming back more, if you're okay with it."

The thought filled Kisano with a warm glow. "That would make me very happy indeed." He gestured to the book Sephen was holding. "Since you are afraid to take that back to the temple with you, you are free to read it now."

Sephen bit his lower lip. Why was that so attractive? "You really wouldn't mind? Because I'm having a great time talking to you, but it's Liros…."

"I will retrieve my book I left on the table up front, so I may join you. We can read now, then discuss it when you are done," Kisano suggested.

Sephen's eyes brightened as he looked at Kisano with affection. "I hope you know you're officially my new best friend."

Kisano tilted his head, his bangs falling in front of his face. "I am honored." Why did such a simple thing make him so happy?