5. Kitsuki

Chapter 5

Kitsuki

W hile Auslin had drifted to sleep, Kitsuki's fear of waking up alone kept him up all night. He cradled Auslin against him, drawing strength from finally being reunited with his beloved after so many centuries.

His mind wandered freely as he savored the closeness between them. The scent of Tatsuki that clung to Auslin's dress clothes from the Coming of Heir ceremony made Kitsuki miss his father. He felt cheated he wouldn't get to see his reaction to Auslin's return. In a strange way, he even regretted not being able to witness Mitsuki's tantrum that his nemesis had reappeared. But more than that, he couldn't wait to bring Auslin back to the castle so that Kisano, Uncle Jaega, Fersen, and Tyrian could reunite. He was sure they'd be almost as happy as him that the Vanra from the past had finally returned to his present time as Auslin.

Now that Kitsuki knew Vanra had been Auslin all along, it changed how he saw so many of their conversations. It was strange realizing how many times Auslin had spoken of the Kitsuki he knew in the future with a longing for a deeper connection. In a way, it was further proof Auslin had always been drawn to him. It would also explain why Kitsuki had desperately wanted to keep Auslin close despite the pain it caused him.

Now that he knew Kio had been the one who had hurt his Vanra so much in the past, it made Kitsuki want to end his younger half brother's miserable life all the more. But Auslin would never allow it. It was issues like that where Kitsuki feared Auslin wouldn't accept where he differed from the more forgiving Kitaro.

But Auslin had shown no hesitation in being near Kitsuki the Ice King. It reassured Kitsuki on a deeper level than words ever could. He still wanted Auslin to be his mate, but he owed it to the human to let him discover whether he still wanted the same thing since Kitsuki and Kitaro were such drastically different people.

Unlike the first time they shared the bed in the cave, Auslin awoke without a trace of fear. He snuggled into Kitsuki's embrace with a happy murmur. It warmed Kitsuki's heart.

"Would you like to return with me to the castle?" Kitsuki asked when he was certain Auslin had awoken enough to have a coherent conversation.

Auslin rolled over to face Kitsuki with a smile on his face. "I'd really like that."

"I can send a messenger to inform your brother of your whereabouts," Kitsuki offered. He wasn't sure if Auslin had seen Sephen before coming down to the glen to break up his fight with Kio.

Auslin's happiness warmed Kitsuki's soul. "I'd appreciate that, thank you." He sat up with a yawn hidden behind his hand. "I can't wait to see everyone at the castle, though. Hopefully, they can also forgive me for disappearing without warning."

"No one held it against you. They will simply be happy you have returned."

Auslin hesitated a moment before leaning over to kiss Kitsuki good morning. It was everything Kitsuki had been waiting centuries for and never wanted to give up again.