24. Kitsuki

Chapter 24

Kitsuki

" H ow unlike my brother to be late," Kitsuki commented. His older brother was unfailingly punctual.

"That's probably Sephen's fault," Auslin said with a knowing grin. "He has an extraordinary ability to distract people from the time with his passion."

"I did not realize your brother had come to visit. I would have properly greeted him had I known."

"You were busy and there was only so long he could resist the pull of seeing the library here," Auslin told him with a laugh. "I'm honestly amazed he waited this long."

"I'm looking forward to meeting your brother," Fersen added. "You've told me so many stories about him I feel as if I already know him."

"Agreed. I am curious to meet him as well," Jaega said.

The doors to the dining hall opened. However, it was Tyrian who entered, looking somewhat harried. "My apologies for being late."

"Did something happen?" Kitsuki asked with concern. His cousin usually had an unflappable demeanor.

"Some of our guards are superstitious, causing a commotion about a letter that arrived." He passed it to Jaega. "There is a faint trace of a scent on it I recognized as one of your men. I tried to find you in the barracks before I realized what time it was."

Auslin's eyebrows raised in surprise. "You could identify a single member of the army by a residual scent on an envelope?" He shook his head. "Dragon shifters' strong sense of smell never fails to amaze me."

Tyrian snickered. "It is not as remarkable when you know he is a notorious flirt who has made himself very well known to my guards."

Jaega turned the envelope over, then nodded to himself. "You were right to bring this to my attention, but it is for our king." He passed the letter across the table to Kitsuki.

There was nothing on the front of the envelope, but the back had a silver wax seal with a black raven in the center. It explained the superstitious comment, as many feared ravens as harbingers of bad luck. The letter could only be from Rylan Norkon, the raven shifter who had been tasked with finding Maseo to warn him about Nasume's atrocious behavior.

Kitsuki hesitated. On the one hand, his curiosity demanded he read it immediately, but he did not wish to ruin dinner if it was bad news. However, Kisano's absence gave him an excuse to read it.

With a steadying breath, Kitsuki broke the seal to open the envelope. He pulled out the enclosed letter.

Your Majesty,

I must applaud your wayward pup for being so well hidden in the shadows. But I've learned things in the darkness about his whereabouts. I'm on my way now to see if there is any truth to the gossip about his clever hideaway place. When I find him, I will send word.

Your loyal subject,

R.N.

Kitsuki hadn't realized the intense grip anxiety had on his heart until it loosened its hold ever so slightly at the news. He experienced a rush of relief from learning Maseo had chosen a clever hiding place. It was cocky for Norkon to say, "When I find him," instead of " If I find him," but Kitsuki wanted to believe his confidence. Jaega had said if anyone could find Maseo, it would be Norkon. Kitsuki had to trust that.

"It seems it is good news?" Jaega asked when Kitsuki remained silent.

Everyone present was aware of the situation, so Kitsuki felt comfortable answering. "Norkon has heard a rumor about where Maseo is. He is on his way to investigate."

"Well, if Maseo is anywhere close to being as handsome as his father, then Norkon will definitely find him," Tyrian said with a laugh.

Kitsuki did not understand why his cousin's comment enraged his dragon. "Why is that?"

"Because Norkon has only met one pretty man he hasn't tried to seduce, which is Fersen." Tyrian's comment made Kitsuki's dragon rattle its cage, demanding to be freed. To what end, Kitsuki did not know.

"While Norkon is a shameless flirt, he understands boundaries," Jaega explained. "Although I had not formally laid claim to Fersen, Norkon knows how to read the room. Fersen was never an option for him."

"It's hard not to be charmed by him, though," Fersen added.

A hard edge colored Kitsuki's tone. "I sent Norkon to deliver a message to Maseo, not bed him."

Auslin's hand on his arm calmed his sudden burst of anger. Why did the thought of Norkon being with Maseo make him so irate? "The important thing is, he has a lead on finding Maseo to make sure he's safe."

Kisano and Sephen entering the dining hall interrupted the tense moment. Kisano's expression was remorseful. "I apologize for our tardiness. I lost track of time."

"I'm sorry, it's totally my fault we're late," Sephen said with a sheepish look as he bowed to Kitsuki.

Auslin laughed. "It's always your fault when someone is late."

"Guilty," Sephen said with a grin as he sat down next to Kisano. "But we were having too much fun, and you know how bad I am about time."

Kitsuki arched an eyebrow in surprise at the "fun" description. His dragon had retreated, leaving him calm once more. "It is not a problem. I am pleased to hear you were having such an enjoyable time."

"It has been most enlightening." There was a slight flush on Kisano's cheeks.

Now that everyone had arrived, dinner was served.

Auslin grinned at his brother. "So how long did it take you to notice that I had left?"

"Longer than I'm willing to admit to," Sephen answered with a laugh. When he took a bite of his cured falchion noodles, a delighted moan escaped from him. "By the Powers, that is the single best thing I've ever eaten."

"It's very easy to get spoiled here," Auslin said.

Sephen refocused his attention. "In my defense, not only does Kisano have the biggest Reskin collection I've ever seen, but he even has Liros books in their original Divine language."

"You can read the Divine language?" Kitsuki asked with interest.

"The mages didn't want to teach me because I'm too low ranking, so I taught myself." Sephen shrugged as if it wasn't a remarkable accomplishment. "It was easy when I love Liros's work almost as much as Reskin's."

"Forget being late. It sounds like we're lucky you left the library at all." Auslin laughed, as did everyone at the table. "Almost nothing can tear my brother away from anything related to Reskin or Liros."

"Kisano's lucky I didn't chain myself to the bookshelves and refuse to leave," Sephen said while grinning at the bookish shifter. "I still might."

Auslin shook his head. "He's not even exaggerating."

"I'm really not," Sephen agreed with another laugh.

"As I explained previously, you do not have to go to such extremes to visit my library," Kisano said. "You are welcome to come and go as you please."

"He's only saying that because he doesn't think I'm going to come live in his library," Sephen stage-whispered, making everyone laugh again.

"In fairness, he's still getting to know you." Auslin looked at his younger brother fondly. "I love that the only thing that will get you to leave our library at the temple is another library."

"Another library?" Sephen indignantly repeated. "No, this is the best library. No one else in any realm could have a more impressive one."

Kisano wasn't a prideful shifter by nature, but the praise clearly pleased him. "I do not think I would go quite that far."

"Brother, you are far too modest," Kitsuki said. Their library was probably the biggest in the Living Realm, largely due to Kisano's voracious efforts at expanding it. "We are lucky we have Enchanters that can easily accommodate your necessary expansions."

Sephen tilted his head with a questioning expression. "What do you mean?"

"My brother has always been very generous in allowing me free rein to expand the library's collection as I see fit," Kisano answered. "Whenever I push the limits of my shelving, our Enchanters use their magic to create more space and make new shelves to accommodate the expansion."

Auslin hummed with interest. "So that's why it looked so much bigger than when I was here before. I thought it was my imagination."

"Wait, wait, wait!" Sephen looked back and forth between Kitsuki and Kisano in amazement. "Are you seriously telling me whenever you want a bigger library, these Enchanters use magic to build you more shelves and storage space? They wave their hands, and you get a new library annex expansion?"

Kisano blushed at Sephen's excitement. "Yes."

" Seriously ? Like, for real?" Sephen emphatically demanded.

"The entire castle is built with magic, which is how we can expand it without cost to our people," Kitsuki told Sephen, amused by his animated reactions.

"You have an infinitely expanding library," Sephen said in awe and disbelief. "As in, you can buy all the books in the world, and your library keeps growing to whatever size you need."

"That is correct," Kisano confirmed.

"Auslin!" Sephen exclaimed in outrage as he stared at his brother. " Infinite. Library. They actually have an infinite library. An infinite library ! How could you not tell me?"

His older brother held up his hands in defense. "I didn't want to ruin the surprise."

Sephen kept making disbelieving noises.

Tyrian laughed. "And here I thought things could never be more interesting than when Auslin arrived in the past."

"It's certainly more lively," Fersen agreed.

"My brother is back, and there's an infinite library with the entirety of Reskin's and Liros's backlist, including handwritten volumes . Clearly, I died at some point and ascended to the Beyond Realm because this can't be real."

Auslin looked over at Kisano. "May we come watch the next time you do an expansion?"

"Oh, we have to see it," Sephen pleaded, holding on to his arm. "Please say yes."

The contact flustered Kisano. "You are both welcome to attend."

"Kisano, you're the best!" Sephen was almost bouncing with joy.

Auslin teased the overwhelmed shifter. "You're lucky my brother's showing restraint. Normally, he would tackle you to the ground with an excited hug over this."

"I'm trying to be good!" Sephen protested with a playful pout.

It was the liveliest dinner Kitsuki had enjoyed since Kizoshi had stopped stirring up trouble during meals after Mitsuki's passing. There was something healing about Sephen's unbridled appreciation for everything the castle could offer him. It improved Kitsuki's darkened mood over his dragon's unruly reaction to Norkon.

After meeting Sephen, it made Kitsuki appreciate Auslin's willingness to walk away from the only family he had left to stay with them in the past. It was an even bigger sacrifice than Kitsuki had imagined. Thankfully, Auslin would never be forced to make that choice now.

Once they finished eating, Sephen looked at his older brother. "No wonder you don't want to come back to the temple, Auslin. Who would ever want to leave this paradise?"

"You are welcome to live with us," Kitsuki offered again. "As you are clan, you will always have a place here, whether it is for a night or permanently."

"Please don't tempt me, because right now, I'm ready to sign up for a lifetime of living here."

"Since it is already so late, we have readied a room for you to stay tonight," Kitsuki told him. "Permanent residency will always be a standing offer. Please give it some consideration. Your presence here would be a welcomed one."

Sephen bowed his head respectfully. "You are far too generous, Your Majesty."

"Before taking him to his room, may I take him on a tour of the castle?" Auslin asked. "We headed straight to the library from our room, so he hasn't seen the rest of this amazing place."

"That sounds like a fine idea." Kitsuki appreciated Auslin giving him an opportunity to talk to Kisano alone. It seemed they had a great deal to discuss.

"I'll come with you," Fersen offered.

"The more, the merrier," Sephen said with a bright smile.

"I will also take my leave," Jaega said. "Tyrian, we have things to discuss."

Once everyone left, Kitsuki was alone with Kisano. He gave his older brother an expectant look as he squirmed in embarrassment. "You certainly seem to be enjoying yourself," Kitsuki finally said.

Another blush graced Kisano's cheeks. "It is very easy to get caught up in Sephen's enthusiasm."

"He seems to be easily excitable." Kitsuki chuckled. "How does it feel to have such an ardent admirer?"

"Incredible. But I could not bring myself to tell him the truth." Kisano hung his head in shame. "Reskin is Sephen's idea of perfection. I do not want to disappoint him with the reality that I am secretly Reskin."

Kitsuki leaned back in his chair once the plates were cleared. "I get the distinct impression that finding out you are Reskin would only heighten his already high opinion of you."

Kisano looked down at his hands, struggling to express himself. "My words mean something to him. He treasures them in a way I never imagined anyone would. He talks about Reskin as a legendary figure. I could never be the awesome giant he admires."

"But you are that person, Kisano. You always have been."

"I could not bear to ruin his idol," Kisano protested in a pained tone. "Auslin has a deep appreciation for Reskin, but he is Sephen's entire world. I could never see either of them again."

Kitsuki understood his brother's trepidation. "Neither of them would forsake you because you are Reskin. It is not in their character to do so."

Kisano looked up at Kitsuki with a pained expression. "Sephen is not exaggerating when he says Reskin is his everything. He was moved to tears at the mere sight of my handwriting. The passion with which he talks about my books and the way he understands my writing with his entire soul…" Kisano sighed with frustration. "How can I be the one to steal away all that joy in his life when he finds out the truth?"

"I promise you would only enhance his enjoyment of your work," Kitsuki insisted. He hadn't known Sephen long, but Kitsuki knew that with unwavering certainty. Sephen had his older brother's pure, loving heart. "The same is true for Auslin as well. You should believe in them if you cannot trust in yourself on the matter."

Kisano's anguish pained Kitsuki. "I could not bear to lose them," Kisano whispered. "After so many centuries of silence, to hear laughter in the library again means everything to me."

Kitsuki wished there was something he could say to convince Kisano about how the human brothers felt about him. "Do you truly think there is a single thing you could do that would make Auslin shun you?"

"They'll never be able to forgive me for lying to them."

It was difficult to hold in a sigh. "If Auslin can still plead mercy for Kio's life and place no blame on Maseo despite the years of history between them, do you really think he would not forgive you for hiding your pen name from him because you were embarrassed?"

When Kisano said nothing, Kitsuki continued pushing his point. "And if Sephen understands your work on such a soul-deep level, would he not also sympathize with why you felt you could not tell him the truth at first?"

"Maybe."

"They are two of the most understanding people in this realm, Kisano. I can promise you with absolute certainty they will not leave you over such a trivial reason as being too embarrassed to confess the truth. You do them a disservice by not trusting in them."

The point seemed to intensify Kisano's anguish.

"Kisano, look at me." Only once Kisano looked him in the eye did Kitsuki continue. "I do not say any of this to make you feel badly, dear brother. I only say it out of the love in my heart for you and my complete faith in those two people to accept you for all that you are without question. You have nothing to fear from them other than perhaps Sephen may move into your library and refuse to leave."

The comment finally drew a soft laugh from Kisano. "Thank you for humoring my foolishness."

"Kisano, you are many things, but a fool is not one of them." Kitsuki's gaze softened as he looked at his beloved older brother. "The only thing that would upset Auslin in this situation is to know this issue has caused you to be so distraught. I am confident his brother would feel the same way. You will all feel better for sharing the truth."

"I will give it some more thought," Kisano promised. "Your points are well taken, though. As always, I am most appreciative of your efforts to build up my self-confidence."

"You know I would do anything for the sake of your happiness," Kitsuki warmly told his brother. "We have both been miserable for entirely too long. It is time for us to fully enjoy ourselves now, difficult as it may be to let go of old habits."

"Indeed," Kisano agreed with a small smile.

He might not have convinced Kisano, but at least Kitsuki felt like they had made progress on the matter. "We may talk later if you need some more convincing."

"Sometimes you are so wise it is hard to believe you are not the older brother instead of me. Speaking of wisdom, may I ask for your opinion on a strange question?"

"Of course."

It took Kisano some time to build up the courage to speak. "Sephen said something earlier I cannot stop thinking about. He believes Liros has a special place in his heart for Reskin because the Knowledge Power gifted him the task of spreading knowledge."

Kitsuki rubbed his chin as he mulled over the point. "I can see his logic in coming to that conclusion."

"But do you believe it's true?"

Rather than answering, Kitsuki asked a different question. "Do you want it to be true?"

"It feels arrogant to believe it."

Kitsuki made an indecisive noise. "Kizoshi's best friend is Sophina, who has always shown us favoritism when assigning our fates. Is it so difficult to believe Liros would do the same when he is also close to our sister?"

"But the thought of having a special place in his heart makes me feel…"

"Feel what?" Kitsuki prompted when Kisano trailed off into silence.

"Overwhelmed?" Kisano scowled. "I am not sure what to call the feeling. It is a physical sensation coursing through my entire body. It burns hot inside me like a fire I cannot figure out how to extinguish."

It was a surprising admission. "Perhaps you are not meant to."

"Thinking about Sephen gives me the same sensation." Kisano's brows furrowed.

"That almost sounds like desire."

Kisano looked at him with a puzzled expression. "Desire for what?" When he received a pointed look, his blush deepened. "I could understand that for Sephen. It feels like Sophina made him for me. But why would I feel that way when thinking about meaning something to Liros? I have never seen him because he rarely comes to the Living Realm."

"You have stumbled upon quite the mystery." Kitsuki had his suspicions that his older brother was experiencing lust for the first time. He was obviously smitten with Sephen. But reacting to Liros was a surprise.

Kisano brushed his fallen bangs behind his ear. "I will have to ask her during her next visit. Do you not find it strange she has yet to appear? Especially when Nasume was here. I think this was the first time she did not arrive to thwart his plans."

The point still didn't sit well with Kitsuki. But it was not beyond belief Sophina told Kizoshi not to interfere because Kitsuki needed a reason to warn Maseo. "I would be lying if I said that situation did not bother me. But Kizoshi always does everything for a specific purpose. We can question her when she finally graces us with her presence."

Kizoshi couldn't come fast enough. The questions for her to answer in her cryptic fashion continued to pile up at an alarming rate.