44. Auslin

Chapter 44

Auslin

I t was hard not to fidget as Auslin waited for the large doors of the grand hall to open. The Royal Consort Fatebonding ceremony was about to start at long last, but being in front of so many people intimidated Auslin despite his excitement at finally becoming Kitsuki's bondmate for life.

Kitsuki reached out to give Auslin's hand a reassuring squeeze. "All will be well," Kitsuki promised Auslin. He kissed the back of the mage's hand.

The simple gesture filled Auslin's heart with joy. He smiled up at Kitsuki, who had waited six hundred long years for this day. His soon-to-be bondmate looked extra handsome in his formal regalia.

Before Auslin could say anything, the doors slowly opened, revealing the enormous grand hall. Over a thousand guests had come to witness the Royal Consort Fatebonding ceremony of the king of Valzerna. Mercifully, Nasume had not shown up to disrupt the event. It was suspicious, making Auslin wonder what the wolf shifter king was up to in his absence. But it was too momentous a day to ruin it with worrying about Nasume.

Auslin's heart raced at the sight of so many people, but he focused on Kitsuki's powerful presence at his side as they entered the grand hall to walk down the aisle together, holding hands. He tried not to think about the waves of whispers echoing through the enormous crowd as everyone saw Auslin for the first time. His attention was better spent making sure he didn't trip and embarrass Kitsuki.

It felt like it took an eternity before they reached the dais at the front of the hall. They walked up the stairs to kneel facing each other in front of Kizoshi, who officiated the ceremony in her capacity as a Power. She was the picture of serenity, wearing an elegant white dress with metallic silver detailing. Her presence as the ceremony officiator calmed Auslin's nerves somewhat.

"I welcome you all to today's joyous occasion, a celebration of the great love between King Kitsuki and Lord Auslin." Kizoshi's voice carried throughout the enormous hall, thanks to the acoustics manipulated by the Enchanters. "It brings me tremendous pleasure to unite these fated mates for an eternity of happiness and devotion."

The applause was thunderous. It startled Auslin to hear such loud and enthusiastic support of them. Sometimes Auslin forgot how important Kitsuki was in Valzerna and Talwyn as a whole. He focused on looking deep into Kitsuki's beautiful blue eyes.

Kizoshi turned to face her brother. "Do you, King Kitsuki, accept Prince Auslin as your royal consort to love and cherish with a faithful heart for the rest of your eternal years?" It surprised Auslin to hear a new royal title bestowed upon him, but he remained silent.

"I swear." Kitsuki smiled at Auslin.

She nodded before looking at Auslin. "And do you, Prince Auslin, as the royal consort, accept King Kitsuki as yours to love and cherish with a faithful heart for the rest of your eternal years?"

"I swear." Auslin's cheeks flushed pink as his feelings for Kitsuki swelled in his heart.

"As they face each other now, they shall face many challenges throughout their long lives. But so long as they are together, there is nothing they cannot overcome and conquer," Kizoshi continued. "It is in this spirit they join their hands together."

When Kitsuki raised his hand, Auslin did the same. He once again wished they had rehearsed earlier so he didn't worry about messing up by doing the wrong thing. Auslin wasn't given long to entertain such thoughts as Kitsuki placed their left palms together, then interlocked their fingers.

"The left hand is on the same side as the heart, guiding all their actions in love," Kizoshi said. "Their bonding marks will form on their middle fingers so they are always united in both powers and spirit."

Kizoshi gestured to the kneeling men. "Prince Auslin, please embrace your auras to bind your souls together forever."

Auslin easily merged their auras. Kitsuki's calmness washed over him, setting Auslin at ease despite the pressure of having so many important people watching them in an intimate moment.

He was distantly aware of Kizoshi chanting. Every syllable tightened the connection between Auslin and Kitsuki. His middle finger pulsated with power, which spread all over his body. Auslin watched in fascination as Kitsuki's silver shifter markings began entwining around his purple Power markings. They glowed brightly with their combined magic and auras. The same happened to Kitsuki in reverse, allowing Auslin to feel his fated mate on a deeper level.

Their auras separated when Kizoshi stopped chanting, but the link between them remained. Auslin delighted in brushing against the sensation inside him which felt like Kitsuki. It sent a shiver down his spine when the shifter king's magic reacted within him.

Kitsuki brought their linked hands together to place a kiss on the newly formed ring on Auslin's middle finger made of their entwined lines. Auslin smiled as he returned the gesture.

"Though you are two, you shall forever be one," Kizoshi stated with warm affection in her tone. "Long may this union be blessed by the Powers who saw fit to bring you together. You may now kiss your bondmate."

Kitsuki finally let go to caress Auslin's cheek before kissing him sweetly. It came as a surprise to feel Kitsuki's joy echoing through their new bond as Auslin kissed him back with a little more heat.

A loud applause sounded. Kitsuki caressed Auslin's cheek lovingly before pulling back, leaving the mage a bit dazed. The experience made Auslin realize he had somehow forgotten so many people observed them.

"It has been our honor to bear witness to this momentous occasion," Kizoshi said. "Go forth and enjoy your long lives of love as bondmates."

Kitsuki held his hand out to Auslin, who accepted it before they both stood. The clapping was almost deafening as Kitsuki guided Auslin down the stairs and walked with him down the aisle arm in arm past their well-wishers before exiting the grand hall.

Instead of leading him back to their room as he expected, Kitsuki took them to one of the many gardens on the castle grounds. Before Auslin could ask a question, Kitsuki kissed him more passionately now that they were alone. Auslin surrendered to his passion with a soft moan, wrapping his arms around Kitsuki's neck while pressing their bodies closer together.

Auslin couldn't help but pout when Kitsuki drew back. But it was hard to pretend he was upset when he could feel joy radiating from Kitsuki's soul. Auslin reveled in the sensation.

"I'm sorry I made you wait six hundred years for this." Now that he knew how wonderful it felt to join their souls together, he regretted his long absence even more.

"It is worth waiting for a thousand years to feel you like this." Kitsuki caressed the piece of Auslin inside of him, sending shivers through the mage.

"That's going to take some getting used to," Auslin said with a laugh. "But seriously, all that fuss about having the ceremony and it's that short?"

Kitsuki chuckled at the indignation in Auslin's voice. "Were you expecting it to be hours long?"

"Honestly, yeah." Auslin couldn't get enough of the sensation of Kitsuki's amusement echoing inside of him. "For something so important, it seemed way too short."

Humor colored Kitsuki's voice. "I apologize for the disappointment."

Auslin playfully pushed at his arm. "How could I ever be disappointed in being your bondmate?" His heart overflowed with love for Kitsuki. "So, when do we get to see what these lines look like under our clothing?"

Arousal sparked through their newly formed bond. But Kitsuki's voice revealed nothing as he said, "Alas, that shall have to wait until after the banquet." Kitsuki placated him with a kiss on the forehead.

"Now, that's going to be hours and hours," Auslin groused before laughing.

"Indeed, but there will be good food and excellent wine, so hopefully, enduring all the congratulations will not be too odious of a task for you."

Auslin could only laugh with delight before kissing Kitsuki again. "I think I can manage."

A lthough Auslin had grown accustomed to the Enchanters accomplishing magnificent feats, they had outdone themselves by expanding the banquet hall to accommodate more than a thousand people. His head was swimming from enduring the whirlwind of meeting hordes of well-wishers. Auslin could hardly keep track of everyone, but Kitsuki somehow knew every single person's name.

After the delicious meal was over, Kitsuki asked Auslin to dance with him. It was a relief to have a private moment as they slow danced together.

Kitsuki held him closer as they swayed. "Are you well?"

"This has been amazing, but it's also a little overwhelming," Auslin admitted. He had never been around so many people at one time, let alone been the center of attention. It put the crowd at Kitsuki's Coming of Heir ceremony to shame.

"We may make our escape soon," Kitsuki promised.

Auslin shivered at Kitsuki's want flashing through their new bond. It made Auslin even more eager to move on with their evening. He playfully groused, "Not soon enough."

They were interrupted when a tall, beautiful dragon shifter approached. Her black hair was done up in an elaborate hairstyle, which glittered with emeralds and diamonds. Her green dress, with an ornate gold bodice, bespoke her high rank and wealth. Although she was smiling, it didn't meet her dark green eyes.

There was something harsh and punishing in her gaze as she coldly stared at Auslin. Her powerful aura was suffocating, but Auslin tried not to feel flustered by her presence, for Kitsuki's sake.

"Congratulations, Kitsuki," she said in a clipped tone.

Kitsuki stopped dancing to make introductions. "Auslin, this is my cousin Kalassandria, Queen of Mizujil." When Kitsuki hugged her, she lingered in his embrace a little longer than was socially acceptable. "It is so good to see you after all this time."

Not wanting to offend Kitsuki's extended family, Auslin gave her a formal bow. "It is an honor and a pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty."

She studied Auslin with her flinty gaze. "You are the one called Auslin." Without waiting for a response, Kalassandria tilted Auslin's chin to force their gazes to meet. "You are much different from what I expected."

Auslin instinctively started to apologize, but he was saved when Kizoshi suddenly appeared. "Why, Kalassandria, it has truly been ages since we last met." She smoothly slipped between them, making Auslin immediately feel better to have Kizoshi protecting him from the fearsome queen. "Still as dour as ever, I see."

"My mood would be much improved if you would remove yourself from my presence," Kalassandria icily replied, shocking Auslin.

"With the way you're acting, it would make one think you had some reason to be unhappy that your beloved cousin finally mated the love of his life."

Kalassandria bristled in response.

"Kizoshi, that is enough," Kitsuki gently told her.

She smiled beautifully at Kitsuki before taking hold of Auslin's hand. "Yes, I would much rather dance with my new brother-in-law than continue being the recipient of misguided anger." Having said what she wanted, Kizoshi swept Auslin into hold and skillfully navigated them away from Kitsuki and Kalassandria to another part of the dance floor.

Auslin looked up at Kizoshi with confusion, even as he naturally fell into dancing with her. "What was that about?" Auslin's mind reeled from what had just happened.

Kizoshi kept her voice low to avoid being overheard by other dancers. "The less you have to do with Kalassandria, the better off you will be."

The warning troubled Auslin. But he knew better than to disobey her. "Why?"

"She is cruelty personified," Kizoshi explained. "She is entirely too invested in my brother's happiness for all the wrong reasons."

Nothing Kizoshi said made sense. "What do you mean?"

"The sooner she goes back to Mizujil, the better." Kizoshi failed to elaborate beyond that.

Auslin tried to figure out what Kizoshi wasn't saying. "Will she cause us trouble?"

"No, her feelings for Kitsuki will still her hand from any real harm." Kizoshi glanced over to where the two were dancing. "But it is best to keep your distance from her, Auslin. You do not want to tempt fate by getting involved with her."

"In that case, thank you for saving me."

"My only regret is I could not play with her some more," Kizoshi joked as she spun them around with flare. "I so rarely get to indulge in torturing her anymore."

Despite the seriousness of the situation, her attitude drew a laugh from Auslin. "Have I mentioned how glad I am that you like me? I can only imagine what kind of awful hell you would have made my life if you hated me."

"I could never hate anyone who grants my brother the greatest joy possible in life." Kizoshi's fond look made Auslin feel shy. "I will always be your ally, Auslin."

When the song ended, Auslin dared to hug Kizoshi. "Thank you for always taking care of me."

"It is I who should thank you," Kizoshi replied as she smiled at Auslin. "However, it seems my other brother is looking quite miserable and alone. Do you want to save him, or shall I?"

Following Kizoshi's gaze, Auslin saw Kisano awkwardly standing near a wall, looking overwhelmed. "I'll go check on him," Auslin said.

"Are you okay?" Auslin asked Kisano once he drew near.

Kisano's amber gaze flitted around the banquet hall. "I have never been around so many people in my life. It is intimidating."

"I couldn't agree more. Where's my brother?" Auslin found it strange Sephen would leave Kisano alone.

"He left to use the bathroom."

Auslin held his hand out to Kisano. "Then come dance with me while you wait."

"Oh, I could never?—"

The mage interrupted his friend's protesting by gently taking Kisano's hand to lead him onto the dance floor. "It'll be okay. I'm staying with you until Sephen returns."

When they stepped into hold, Kisano hid his face against Auslin's shoulder. "You will upset so many people by showing me favoritism."

"Even if it upsets them, that's their problem," Auslin said with a shrug. "I'm proud to call you family. If they have an issue with that, they're free to leave and never come back."

Kisano trembled in Auslin's arms. "But everyone will hate me."

"Listen to what they're actually saying," Auslin encouraged Kisano. "Because all I'm hearing is people wondering who the beautiful shifter with orange markings dancing with me is."

"I do not understand," Kisano said in confusion. "Why are people not making fun of me?"

"Your dad and Mitsuki treated you horribly, but the rest of the world doesn't share their opinion," Auslin reassured his friend. "You don't have to be afraid of people now."

Kisano's cheeks flushed in embarrassment. "It is almost harder to endure being complimented by strangers than being the subject of their insults. I have so little experience with that."

Auslin spied his brother walking over to them. He waved at Sephen to get his attention. "I hope you don't mind that I stole Kisano for a dance," Auslin teased his younger brother once he arrived. He hugged Kisano before stepping back so Sephen could step in for the next dance.

Auslin was immediately swept up into another dance with Kitsuki. "How in the world did you convince Kisano to join you on the dance floor?"

"I didn't really give him much choice in the matter," Auslin sheepishly answered. "I wanted him to understand he doesn't need to be afraid of what people think about him because they don't have the same awful opinions of your dad and brother."

Kitsuki nodded in their direction as they danced together. "It seems Sephen fully intends to continue that lesson."

"Good for them." Auslin was proud of them both. "Will they have to wait to have a Royal Consort Fatebonding ceremony like we did?"

Kitsuki shook his head. "Since Kisano was never officially named as an heir, he is not beholden to the same rules of formality as I am."

"Why didn't you name Kisano as your successor?"

"He has no interest in ruling, and I have no desire to put him in an uncomfortable position. Tyrian has Uncle Jaega's rational calmness and his mother's wisdom. He would make an excellent king, so for Kisano's sake, it was the right decision to make."

Auslin had more pressing matters to discuss. "How much longer before we can escape to our room and have our own little bonding ceremony?"

Kitsuki chuckled, then kissed Auslin's forehead. "Soon. Very soon."