25. Sephen

Chapter 25

Sephen

A fter taking a grand tour of the castle, Sephen and Auslin took a break on a veranda overlooking a garden area. They admired the view of the pond, which was beautiful in the moonlight.

"This place is so incredible," Sephen sighed as he rested his arms on the railing. "No wonder you don't want to live at the temple anymore."

"My place is with Kitsuki," Auslin said. "The incredible castle is a delightful bonus."

Sephen laughed. "I don't think I'll ever get over the infinitely expanding library for as long as I live."

"I'm sad I've never seen it in action before. Their Enchanters really can do anything."

"It's the stuff of my best dreams." Sephen went over to sit on a bench, gesturing for Auslin to join him. "Our library at the temple suddenly feels too small."

Auslin sat next to him. "I know what you mean. But at least you can come visit this one whenever you want."

It was almost too much temptation to resist. "That would only get me in trouble."

"Trouble?" Auslin tilted his head with a puzzled expression. "How so?"

"I would surely wear out my welcome." It hurt Sephen's heart to think that Kisano would grow to hate him. "I wouldn't want to impose on him."

Auslin's gaze softened. "Kisano may live a quiet life, but I'm confident he would enjoy your company. I've never seen him feel so comfortable around someone so quickly before, like he was with you tonight. It's a good thing."

His older brother's reassurance made him happy, but he still worried. "Kisano is so incredible." Sephen sighed as he leaned back against the bench. "He's the only person other than you who understands Reskin and Liros on such a deep level. He's so insightful and so ridiculously smart. It's not fair that he gets to be all that and pretty."

"Pretty?" Auslin repeated with raised eyebrows.

Sephen didn't understand his brother's surprise. "You don't agree?"

"He's certainly handsome, although I'm sure he would vehemently disagree."

"This whole family is so gorgeous it's ridiculous. Even Fersen was stunning. I've never seen a shifter with eyes and markings the colors of the entire rainbow. If that's the level of magical attractiveness it takes to join the family, I'm screwed."

Auslin rubbed his brother's back. "And just think, you haven't met Kizoshi yet."

"Kisano talked about her. She sounded terrifying and wonderful, all wrapped up in one person."

"She's definitely all that and more." Auslin's expression was full of fondness. "She's easily the most beautiful woman I've ever seen in my entire life. And she knows it, too."

Sephen couldn't figure out a way to ask his question without sounding rude. "Does that mean she's arrogant?"

"It depends on the situation. She carries herself with a level of confidence I wish I had. But it's well-earned, don't get me wrong. She's incredible in every way. Considering she's the War Power, it's fascinating to me how she is such a kind caretaker. Kizoshi has been very good to me. I don't think you have anything to worry about with her."

"I find it hard to believe." Sephen shuddered with fear from having heard all kinds of legends about her and her terrifying mother since he was a kid.

Auslin was silent for a moment, lost in his thoughts. "If Kizoshi hates someone, she's their absolute worst nightmare. They could pray to every Power in the Divine Realm to help escape her wrath, but it would be in vain. The two people I've seen her torment both deserved whatever she did to them and more. But one of them is in the Beyond Realm, and the other will hopefully never step foot in this kingdom again. You will likely only see the doting sister side of her."

"Well, if she treats you and her family well, then she can't be completely scary." Sephen was curious to meet her despite his fears. "It makes sense, though. I used to think King Kitsuki was frightening, but he's been so kind to me during my time here. I feel awful for having judged him before."

"I know what you mean." Auslin's mood seemed to darken before he changed subjects. "I'm glad you came here today."

Sephen would never take being around Auslin for granted again. "At least now I understand why you were so insistent that I should meet with Kisano. He's literally my perfect person."

"He really is the best." Auslin's voice was full of fondness for the shifter.

The reminder made Sephen a little despondent. "But seriously, why does he have to be so smart and attractive? How is anybody supposed to resist that?"

Auslin shrugged. "Maybe you're not supposed to resist."

"Oh, please. Kisano is a walking god amongst men. Do you honestly think he would ever take notice of a pathetic human like me?" Sephen scoffed with a snort. "Somebody as smart as him knows better than to get involved with me."

"You both are always so quick to sell yourselves short." Auslin shook his head. "I wish I could make you both understand how remarkable you are."

"But he's so perfect, and I'm so human. " It felt like a huge failing in the face of Kisano's flawlessness. "I'm a meaningless dust mote compared to his eternal life span."

Auslin chided his brother with an amused tone. "Come on, now you're just being dramatic."

"Okay, maybe a little."

"Only a little?"

Sephen huffed. "Auslin, Kisano's amazing . How could I not be in complete and utter awe of him?"

Rather than answering the question, Auslin once again redirected the conversation. "You know, Kisano has a tendency to stay up late at night in the library."

It was a tempting piece of information. "Oh, I couldn't possibly bother him any more than I already have. I'm pretty sure I've humiliated myself enough for one day."

"But Kisano so rarely gets to show off his library to someone who appreciates it." Auslin's points were persuasive enough to sway Sephen. "Your excited appreciation for it would really mean a lot to him."

"Please stop. I'm running out of willpower to keep making excuses not to go," Sephen playfully groused.

Auslin nudged his younger brother. "Then go. Trust me, you'll both be happier if you do."

It was probably a bad idea, but Sephen was dying to spend more time with Kisano in his library. "When this backfires and I die of humiliation, it's on your head."

"I can live with that." Auslin wrapped his arm around his brother's shoulder as he led the way to the library.

When they arrived, Auslin bid his brother goodnight.

"Wait, you're not coming with me?" Sephen's voice was more scandalized than he intended.

Auslin snorted. "Sorry, I wasn't aware that you needed a chaperon."

"But if you leave, then I'm definitely going to make an ass out of myself," Sephen complained.

"I'm pretty sure that's half the fun of it."

When Auslin turned to walk away, Sephen reached out to stop him. He gathered his older brother into a tight hug. "In case I haven't mentioned it enough, I'm really glad you're back."

"You'll be fine," Auslin reassured him. "Now, go have fun."

"Thank you," Sephen whispered, overwhelmed by love for his brother he had missed so dearly in his absence.

Once Auslin left, Sephen took a deep, steadying breath before knocking on the library door. It slid open, leaving him no choice but to gather his wits about him and enter. "Hello?"

Kisano rounded the corner with a soft smile that made Sephen swoon. "Welcome back, Sephen."

The human wrapped those words around his heart. They made him believe he really had a place there. "Would you mind some company?"

"I would enjoy the chance to spend more time with you." He gestured for Sephen to follow him to a sitting area near a blazing fireplace.

In that moment, Sephen had everything he could ever want. The trick would be not blurting that out to the object of his affection. After all, Kisano couldn't reject him if he didn't know Sephen was already in love with his dream man.