38. Kitsuki

Chapter 38

Kitsuki

" W hat are we supposed to do about this?" Kitsuki asked his sister as he laid Kisano down in his own bed.

"That's entirely up to Kisano," Kizoshi replied. "He could lock his dragon away again, but I sincerely doubt that will be possible now that he has had a taste of freedom and Sephen."

Kisano stirred at the mention of Sephen's name but remained asleep.

"You do not need to worry so much. This is a good thing," Kizoshi reassured him. "Now that his dragon has emerged, a mating bond with Sephen is now possible."

It was something Kitsuki hadn't considered before, but he was pleased to hear Kisano could find the same happiness he had with Auslin.

Kizoshi affectionately stroked Kisano's hair. "Kisano will learn how to live in harmony with his dragon, but he will need yours and Uncle Jaega's help. He will wake soon."

"You are leaving?" Kitsuki asked in surprise when Kizoshi walked to the door.

"This is a conversation best had between brothers," Kizoshi said with a playful wink before she exited Kisano's bedroom.

Almost as soon as the door closed, Kisano woke up in a daze. It took a moment before he jerked upright in fear. "What happened to Sephen?" Kisano demanded in a panicked tone.

"He is fine and unmarked," Kitsuki answered in a soothing voice, assuming that was his brother's concern. "He is simply scared he hurt you somehow."

Kisano hid his face in his hands with a pained groan. "How is this even possible?" He stared in disbelief at the prominent orange markings encircling his arms. "I have lived my entire life without powers or a dragon, so why now?"

"I think we both know the answer to that question," Kitsuki gently told his brother with a knowing look.

Kisano flushed in embarrassment before his panic returned. "You must send Sephen away. I cannot risk him being hurt because I cannot control my new dragon."

"You have a responsibility to learn how to control yourself and any powers you may now possess," Kitsuki said. "Even in its nascent form, your dragon cannot harm Sephen against your wishes."

Kisano looked down at his hands. "That is not the harm I am worried about inflicting on Sephen."

"You are concerned your dragon will lay claim to Sephen as your mate," Kitsuki realized, understanding that fear all too well because it was something he was currently struggling with regarding his own dragon and Auslin.

"He will think I only desire him because of my dragon," Kisano whispered as he curled up on himself. "How can I face him again when I have ruined the only thing I have ever wanted in my life?"

Kitsuki tried to make his older brother see reason. "I sincerely doubt anything has been ruined. His sole thoughts were concern for your well-being. He was far more troubled he had hurt you. The only thing he did not fear was your dragon."

Kisano rubbed his chest with an anguished expression. "How do you endure this restless feeling crawling under your skin that is ready to steal you away in a single moment?"

"Uncle Jaega and I will help you train to get better control, Kisano. It will get easier."

"I am so sorry." A sob broke free from him. "I never meant for any of this to happen."

His heart went out to his older brother. "There is nothing to apologize for, Kisano." He stroked his brother's hair to soothe him. "Do not use this as an excuse to put distance between yourself and Sephen."

"I want him so much it hurts," Kisano confessed in a pained whisper. He tightened his hold around his knees. "I should not yearn for him so, and yet…"

"You owe Sephen a proper explanation about what happened," Kitsuki told his brother. "Otherwise, he will worry himself to no end about this being all his fault."

"And what if this happens again?" Kisano demanded.

"There is no ‘if,' brother," Kitsuki gently warned. "It is merely a matter of when it will happen again. You will learn how to assert yourself over your dragon instead of crawling away to hide and requiring Auslin's help to return to yourself once more."

"So that was what I felt."

Kitsuki hoped to give his brother some peace. "We will begin your training when you have recovered your strength. You should rest now."

"But you are so busy with the last-minute preparations for your Fatebonding ceremony," Kisano protested.

"While your concern is appreciated, I am never too busy for you," Kitsuki assured him. "Please do not feel badly, Kisano. You have everyone's support."

"Thank you," Kisano whispered. "I apologize for the trouble."

"It is no trouble, dear brother," Kitsuki reassured him with another squeeze of his shoulder before leaving.