52. Kizoshi

Chapter 52

Kizoshi

S ophina left after dinner, so Auslin and Kizoshi sat alone outside in one of her beautiful gardens. They sipped on ambrosia, a sweet drink Kizoshi missed whenever she was in the Living Realm.

"This place really is like heaven," Auslin said with a contented sigh. He looked around with a sense of wonder.

"I am glad that it meets with your approval," Kizoshi replied in a mock-serious tone. "You also did an admirable job of surviving Liros's and Sophina's teasing."

Auslin blushed. "They really were nothing like I imagined. I always thought Powers were super serious all the time, but they're both so playful."

"They have to be, otherwise their duties would drive them insane," Kizoshi explained. "Sophina and Shaleia have very heavy burdens to endure. I do not envy either of them."

"I was too embarrassed to ask earlier, but is Kitsuki aware Sophina has unrequited feelings for him?"

"He was and remains completely oblivious to her interests," Kizoshi answered with a laugh. "My brother lacked a lot of self-awareness in the early period of his life, so he had no idea about how she felt when they were young. When she could no longer return to the Living Realm because she became the Fate Power, Sophina remained eternally devoted to him."

"I can understand that."

Hibiki and Finini bounded into the garden, playfully pouncing and chasing each other. Kizoshi watched them before continuing. "It is for the best Kitsuki does not know. It would trouble him to be aware of her unrequited love."

"I won't tell him." Auslin startled when Finini jumped into his lap, exposing his stomach. The mage obliged him with belly rubs. "I don't think I'm ever going to get over you having a purring kitsune."

"Finini even meows occasionally," Kizoshi told him with a fond smile. Hibiki jumped into her lap, so she showered him with attention.

Auslin looked down at Finini. "You meow?" When Finini emphatically meowed in response, Auslin couldn't stop laughing. "He really is more cat than kitsune, isn't he?"

"Finini is Finini," Kizoshi replied with another laugh as Auslin kept fawning over the kitsune. "He is capricious and does as he wishes, which I love him for, and so much more."

Some of Auslin's good humor faded when he remembered a troubling detail of his earlier conversation with Sophina. "I can't imagine how awful it would have been if Kitsuki had been forced to mate with Nasume."

"In the original timeline, Nasume used my brother to take over Valzerna to expand his tyranny," Kizoshi said. "When he attempts to make the same play now, he will face his divine retribution. All will be right with the world once more."

"Does that mean Kitsuki kills Nasume?"

Kizoshi shook her head. "No, another has earned that privilege, but I cannot say more."

The question if it was Maseo was on the tip of Auslin's tongue, but he smothered the urge. "Why aren't you angry or disgusted by Maseo like Kitsuki originally was?"

"I have been privy to Maseo's suffering long before Kitsuki had occasion to notice it. As you have said in the past, it is hard to hate someone so pitiable. He has endured a great deal and still has more trials ahead of him. But his reward is the ultimate happiness."

"And love?" Auslin asked.

She smiled at him. "And an epic love."

"Was I right about making Kitsuki wear Maseo's necklace?" Auslin took a sip of his ambrosia before continuing. "You told me to trust my instincts about Maseo, but I can't help but wonder if it was the right decision. I'm still scared Nasume will somehow find out about it and cause enormous problems."

"You were correct. My brother must wear it until he reunites with Maseo."

Auslin toyed with his lower lip as he stared out over the garden for a few moments. "I don't suppose you can tell me if we'll meet Maseo soon?"

"All I can say is your paths will cross sooner than you think. But he still has a journey to face first."

The wind carried the scent of Auslin's fear. "But he'll be okay, right?"

"He will endure and be victorious in the end," Kizoshi assured him. "You will all be fine. Actually, I have something for you."

"Oh?" Auslin asked in surprise.

A small box appeared in Kizoshi's hands, which she passed over to Auslin. He opened it to reveal a set of silver and purple rings inside of it. He looked at her for an explanation.

"It is my mating present to you and Kitsuki," Kizoshi told him. "You should wear the silver one on your left ring finger, and Kitsuki should wear the purple band on his. They will act as a bond amplifier in a way I believe you will be most appreciative of experiencing."

"Thank you, they're beautiful."

She nodded before using her magic to produce another box to pass over to Auslin. "That one is for Sephen and Kisano. It contains earrings that will act as a bond connector for them when they each wear one. They will help Sephen access his bond with Kisano since he cannot use magic on his own. That should help him endure Kisano's insatiable dragon."

"I'll give it to them when I get home." Auslin's expression turned disappointed. "Does this mean that you won't be coming back with me?"

"No, I have some things that I must attend to before I can return to the Living Realm," Kizoshi replied. "I will come to congratulate Kisano and Sephen as soon as I am able. Besides, I am quite confident Kitsuki's dragon will have you otherwise occupied to make up for lost time."

Auslin's blush was adorable. "Can I come back here sometime in the future?"

"You are always welcome here since the Divine Realm is part of your birthright. I will show you how to form a rift tomorrow so you may come and go between the realms as you please."

"I could really do that?" Auslin asked in shock.

"It may take you some tries to get the hang of it, but it should be no problem for someone with your magical powers. There is also the added benefit that you can use them to travel within the Living Realm."

Auslin's eyes went wide in surprise. "Are you saying I could create a rift and go from the castle to the temple?"

"You could go to the base of Satsuma's mountain in Arenvale with a single step through a rift," Kizoshi answered. His shock was almost comical. "As long as you can imagine the area in crystal-clear detail, you can go. Unfortunately, if you have never been somewhere before, you can only create a rift to the closest known location."

He leaned back in his chair as he marveled at the possibility. "That's incredible!"

"The only other limitation is you can never summon a rift to visit the Beyond Realm," Kizoshi continued. "It is an area even Powers cannot return from once they choose to go."

Auslin's lilac eyes were full of appreciation. "I truly cannot thank you enough for everything you have done for me, Kizoshi."

"It is the least I can do, given how happy you make Kitsuki. There is nothing I would not do for my clan."

"I appreciate it more than I'll ever be able to express," Auslin insisted.

Kizoshi didn't take his gratitude for granted. She could only hope he'd forgive her for the events that would soon unfold.