54. Maseo

Chapter 54

Maseo

A fter his encounter with Kio, Maseo had hoped his sense of foreboding would abate. But his gut told him that something nasty was lurking in the shadows. He couldn't let his guard down, even though things had grown peaceful after Kio's departure.

"It's a shame we haven't seen that handsome raven shifter hanging around here again," Elzbieta said as she passed Maseo another chilled mug of ale.

Rylan had overwhelmed Maseo when he arrived to deliver Kitsuki's letter and ring. Perhaps they could have chatted jovially under different circumstances, but Maseo had learned to trust his gut. When it said the shit was about to get bad, it always got really bad. "The last thing I need right now is a man. They just bring problems."

She snorted in amusement. "By the Powers, don't I know it?"

"Does that mean your boyfriend is still acting up?" Maseo asked. He had been in Fordani long enough to learn about Elzbieta's life since she was an open book. Her warmth reminded him of Auslin's ability to make everyone feel like a friend—including Maseo, who most definitely didn't deserve the kindness the mage had shown to him whenever they encountered each other.

She rolled her eyes. "When isn't he? I don't know why I put up with him. I must be more of a glutton for punishment than I thought."

"Take it from me. You don't want to waste time suffering in a toxic relationship." Maseo wished he had taken his own advice sooner. "It only hurts more the longer it goes on. And someone as nice as you definitely deserves somebody who appreciates how wonderful you are."

"I keep thinking I can change him if I shower him with enough love. But you're right. It's time to leave him behind in the past where he belongs." She surprised Maseo with a kiss on the cheek. "Thanks for listening to me complain about my situation so much. You also deserve to find happiness, honey. I'll pray to the Powers we both find true love."

She walked away to take care of another customer. Maseo couldn't help but be awed by her sweetness. She was the closest thing to a normal friend Maseo had. It still puzzled him how she had taken him under her wing so easily. He reached up to where his mother's pendant used to be, instinctively wanting to hold it while he made a wish for Elzbieta's happiness.

It hurt to be parted from the sentimental necklace, but Maseo didn't regret sending it to Kitsuki. He was endlessly curious about how the dragon king reacted to his proof. The one thing he knew with absolute certainty was Kitsuki would honorably protect it until they reunited, no matter how many years it took.

Maseo was so lost in thought it startled him when someone slid beside him in the booth he was occupying. He was a burly bear shifter, whose physical presence dwarfed Maseo. The man had an amiable expression, but everything in Maseo screamed the stranger was dangerous. He flinched when the bear shifter slung his thick arm over Maseo's shoulders. The stench of too much alcohol rolled off him, making Maseo nauseous.

"You look like we're going to have a good time tonight, handsome," the man said as he guided Maseo closer to him. "My name's Junbe. What's yours?"

Instincts warned Maseo not to use his full name. "Seo."

Junbe nodded, as if his name confirmed something for the man. "I can tell you're my kind of people, Seo."

The last thing Maseo wanted to do was engage, but he didn't want to anger the bear shifter into turning abusive. "How?"

"You're from Kunushi, right?" Maseo tensed at the question, but Junbe didn't seem to notice. The bear shifter took several swigs of his ale he had brought over with him. "You look like all the wolf shifters from up there. I should know since I serve in their king's army."

Maseo struggled not to panic. The only thing holding it at bay was Kitsuki's magic hadn't activated to save him. It meant there was no danger yet. He tried to keep his tone conversational. "If you're from there, what are you doing all the way out in Alsari?"

"I had some leave time I wanted to use before things kick off." The man took another drink. "Then shit's gonna get real fun."

Dread spread through Maseo. "Before what kicks off?"

"Our king will bring great glory to Kunushi by defeating our enemies," Junbe boasted. "I'll be a hero for killing as many of those Valzerna bastards as I can. And I'm a strong warrior, so they're extra fucked." His boisterous laugh made Maseo jump.

Suddenly, Maseo desperately needed to keep the chatty man talking. "I've been away from Kunushi for a long time. What did Valzerna do to piss off King Nasume?"

"King Nasume generously offered to elevate their kingdom by mating the Ice King, but that asshole declared war by throwing King Nasume out of the castle and banishing him from ever stepping foot in Valzerna." Junbe snorted. "I almost feel bad for the people of Valzerna for having such a fucking moron for a ruler."

Kitsuki was one of the most levelheaded monarchs in Talwyn, who had been putting up with Nasume's shit for over a millennium. What could Maseo's father have done that was bad enough for Kitsuki to banish him for good? Maseo could well imagine since his father had never met a boundary he didn't gleefully cross. Upsetting Kitsuki was just one more reason for Maseo to hate his father.

To Maseo's shock, Kitsuki's magic tightened its hold on him. It whispered, "Protect ." He blinked in shock. Was Nasume's last visit to Valzerna what caused Kitsuki to send him the ring? Maseo couldn't figure out how he figured into any part of a fight between the two kings, but the magic's tight hold on him sure felt like Kitsuki wanted to keep him safe.

"Yeah," Maseo half-heartedly agreed, hoping the bear shifter was too drunk to notice the lie.

"I bet King Nasume will award me a medal of valor for my efforts," Junbe bragged.

Maseo struggled with how to respond. "You certainly seem like you'd be a good fighter."

"I'm the fucking best ." The man chugged more of his ale. "It's why they've entrusted me to kill the Ice King's mate. And I'm going to make that asshole suffer for our glory." He puffed up his chest with pride.

Maseo's blood ran cold. Why hadn't he realized sooner that Auslin mating Kitsuki would put the mage at risk? The thought of his father killing either of them made it hard to breathe. Even if it put Maseo at risk, he had to warn them about the danger they were in from the war Nasume intended to start. He had to do whatever was necessary to stop his father from having his way.

"Aww, what's wrong?" Junbe asked as he squeezed Maseo in a painful, one-armed hug. "King Kitsuki and his shitty mate will be dead, so Kunushi will be the most powerful kingdom in Talwyn by the time we're done with the carnage. Why does the thought of our king's victory upset you?"

Maseo knew he had to choose his answer carefully. "I don't like it when people get hurt."

"Funny, I wouldn't have pegged you as squeamish." Junbe buried his nose against Maseo's neck and took a deep breath. "Fuck, I love wolf shifters. You smell like you need me to fuck you."

"Thanks, but I'm not looking for anyone right now, so?—"

"Don't worry, pup. I'll take real good care of you." He licked up the curve of Maseo's neck with a moan. "I'll show you what a real Kunushi man can do for you. I'm going to fuck you until?—"

Elzbieta cleared her throat, making Maseo jump. He silently stared at her with wide eyes to beg her for help.

"Great, bring me another ale," Junbe demanded, slurring his words a little.

"I'll be happy to do that, right after I deal with him ." She pointed at Maseo with a fearsome expression he instinctively shrank back from. It was such a shocking contrast to the sweetness she normally treated him with. "You're coming with me, mister."

"Sorry, but I've already laid claim to him tonight, lady," Junbe said with a threatening growl. "Get your own man."

"You'll let him go if you want another ale," she said in a no-nonsense voice before turning her attention to Maseo. "My boss wants you to settle your tab before you run out on us again. You're not getting away with that twice, do you hear me? You have a lot of nerve showing your face after that little stunt you pulled last time."

Maseo tried to free himself. "Sorry, I need to take care of this."

"I'm not letting you go until you promise you'll come back to the inn with me so I can give you the best fuck of your life."

Maseo finally extracted himself from the bear shifter's grasp. "Sure thing. I'll be right back," Maseo promised before he left to follow Elzbieta.

She led him to the staff-only area next to the kitchen, where they were safe from any prying eyes. Her stern expression melted into worry as she gave Maseo a look over. "Are you okay, honey? I came over as soon as I saw he had his paws on you. I'm sorry I didn't notice sooner."

The rare show of concern for his well-being brought tears to Maseo's eyes. He hugged her hard, almost sobbing when she embraced him closer. How long had it been since he had received a loving hug from someone who gave a damn about him? "Thank you, Elzbieta."

She ruffled his hair. "Anytime, Maseo. I'll always have your back."

Pulling back from the comfort of her hug hurt, but not nearly as much as what he was about to do. "And that means everything to me. But I have to leave town tonight, and I don't know when I'll be free to come back here."

Her concern was genuine. "Is it because of that guy? Because I'll kick his ass, I don't care how big and hairy he is." The hilarity of a rabbit shifter her size taking on a bear shifter of his proportions would have made Maseo laugh under different circumstances. But if anyone could defeat him, it'd be her.

"He's a soldier in my father's army. He told me enough tonight to know I have to leave now so I can stop his nefarious plans. My father can't be allowed to do what he wants. Everyone in Talwyn will suffer if he gets his way. Good people will die. I can't let it happen."

"Can I help at all?" Elzbieta asked.

Maseo took her hands in his to give them a squeeze. "Please stay safe. Avoid Valzerna, Kunushi, and Reflorna for the near future if you can." He took a deep breath before saying, "And thank you for taking such great care of me these past few weeks. I don't have many people I can call a friend, so your kindness has meant a lot to me, more than you know."

"It's easy to be kind to a sweetheart like you. Just promise me one thing."

"Sure."

"Come see me when you're finished saving the world because I won't quit worrying about you until you walk through that door again." Elzbieta gathered him into a tight hug. "Please come back to see me."

"I promise." He lingered for a moment longer before he stepped back.

She fought back tears. "Now, hurry and leave before you see me cry. I want you to remember me as being cute, not ugly sobbing. Then come back here and tell me all about your grand adventure."

"I will." He stole a final hug before he left out the rear door to pack up his room at the inn before starting the trek to Valzerna. No matter what it cost him, Maseo had to warn Kitsuki and Auslin before it was too late.