58. Auslin

Chapter 58

Auslin

D og shifters were known for being physically affectionate, but Auslin couldn't believe how many hugs he received as he reached Barlatan. He hadn't realized how missed he had been or what a difference he had made in the city. The number of updates he heard about people he had grown friendly with over his years of visiting the town on the temple's behalf overwhelmed Auslin. It made him realize how much he had missed out on while being in the past for so long.

As they continued slowly making their way to the castle, Auslin was ambushed from behind with a bear hug, which lifted him off the ground. "There you are!"

Kitsuki reached for his sword, but Auslin reassured him through their bond.

Once he was released, Auslin turned around with a laugh, then hugged the man. "Yaro!"

"Where have you been?" Yaro pulled back and gave Auslin a critical look over. "I thought you weren't coming back because you didn't love me anymore."

"Of course, I still do," Auslin assured him. His response earning him a raised eyebrow from Kitsuki, but he ignored it. "A lot of stuff happened, but I'm back now."

"And you mated this guy?" Yaro playfully bemoaned. He sized up Kitsuki and his icy glare. "How could you do that after all of my generous offers to be your mate?"

Kitsuki's mood darkened considerably, but Auslin continued reassuring him through their bond that everything was fine. Auslin reminded Yaro, "Your mate would have more than one objection if I actually took you up on your offers."

"But Tiah loves you!"

Auslin snickered. "Not enough to share."

Yaro's nostrils flared. "I know you're amazing, but now you're also a Power? When did that happen?"

"Like I said, a lot of stuff happened since the last time I was here."

"And here I was thinking you couldn't smell any better than you did before." Yaro winked at him. "There's literally nothing you can't do."

"Other than become your mate," Auslin retorted, making them both laugh.

It drew Yaro's attention to Kitsuki. He surveyed the shifter monarch with curiosity. "I'd be more mad if your mate wasn't gorgeous." Yaro gave an appreciative whistle, which made Kitsuki bristle. "Damn, I never stood a chance against someone like him, did I?"

"Sorry, he makes me the happiest I've ever been." Auslin took hold of Kitsuki's hand with a reassuring squeeze.

"You better take good care of Auslin, or else you'll have an army of suitors battering down your door to steal him away," Yaro warned Kitsuki. "I don't think there's a man or woman alive who has met Auslin that hasn't fallen a little in love with him."

Auslin protested through a laugh. "That's not even close to being true!"

"He is my mate to love and protect," Kitsuki said. "I have no intention of relinquishing him to anyone."

"You certainly are serious." Yaro gave him an approving nod. "Well, at least you're definitely a step up from the last loser who broke Auslin's heart."

Kitsuki drew himself up to his full height. "I will never be as cruel as that foolish miscreant. I will do anything to ensure Auslin's happiness."

"You may be scary as fuck, but at least you've got your priorities right," Yaro approvingly said. "I guess I'll have to bow out and gracefully concede defeat."

"Tiah will be so glad." Auslin gave Yaro another hug.

The dog shifter held his hand out to Kitsuki. "I'm Yaro, by the way. Nice to meet you."

"This is my mate, King Kitsuki Ariake," Auslin introduced him.

"Oh, shit!" Yaro gave a very sudden formal bow. "Sorry, Your Majesty. I wasn't trying to be rude. I was just excited Auslin is back. I'm sure you can understand."

Kitsuki's gaze softened slightly. "I do indeed."

"I'll stop by later and see you both, okay? King Kitsuki has a meeting with King Lenwat soon, but we should be free sometime tomorrow."

He wagged his finger at Auslin. "I'm holding you to that. You're not allowed to disappear on us again."

"I won't." Auslin tried not to feel too guilty. "I never meant to worry you."

"All that matters is that you're safe and happy now." Yaro stepped back with a fond look at Auslin. "As long as your mate treats you right, that's all I can ask."

"He will," Auslin reassured Yaro. "No one else has ever treated me better."

"Only because you wouldn't give me the chance," Yaro joked with another playful wink. "I'll see you soon, Auslin. Nice to make your acquaintance, Your Majesty."

Once they were out of earshot, Kitsuki looked down at Auslin with an expectant expression.

"You don't have to worry about Yaro," Auslin reassured Kitsuki, knowing that was his number one concern. "He's the biggest flirt I've ever met, but he doesn't mean anything by it. That's just him being friendly."

Kitsuki made a noise of acknowledgment but remained otherwise silent.

"I've been good friends with him and his mate for years," Auslin continued. "I usually would stay with them whenever I came here for visits because Tiah is the most amazing cook. Plus, it was always nice being surrounded by two people who were so openly loving."

"His wife does not hate you?" Kitsuki asked in surprise. "But he makes such open overtures at you."

"They have a weird relationship," Auslin replied with a laugh as they continued walking to the castle. "He flirts with everyone because he likes her temper."

"Why does she put up with such nonsense?"

Auslin smiled as he thought about his friends. "Because she loves him, and she knows deep down, he's devoted only to her. The fighting is foreplay for them since she's a secret sadist and he's a masochist who loves that kind of attention."

Kitsuki's expression grew thoughtful. "You told me about them in the past."

"Yeah, they were the ones I was worried would miss me since I was gone so long. I know their relationship is a bit weird, but it works for them, which is the important thing."

"They have my gratitude for taking care of you during your travels," Kitsuki said, "even if their dynamic is utterly baffling."

Auslin chuckled at Kitsuki's confusion. "It took me a while to understand it, but I get it now that I've known them both for so many years. I hope you don't mind if we visit them later."

"I will happily accompany you anywhere." Kitsuki caressed his mate through their bond, sending a shiver through Auslin.

"Thank you."

It meant a lot to Auslin since Kio had always misbehaved whenever they visited Barlatan. Auslin couldn't wait to meet with Yaro and Tiah now that Kitsuki was a part of his life. His excitement distracted Auslin from his growing nerves as they neared the castle where they would meet the king of Zinnia.

A uslin struggled to keep his nerves under control as they were led to the formal reception room at the Zinnia castle. It was Auslin's first time acting in his official capacity as Kitsuki's mate. He worried he might do something wrong and cause some kind of diplomatic incident. Kitsuki's calming presence echoing through their bond helped calm Auslin, but his heart still raced as they were formally announced to Lenwat, the king of Zinnia.

When Auslin dared to look up at Lenwat, the man seemed familiar somehow. His black hair was pulled back in a series of braids. He had kindly brown eyes, as well as shimmering dark green shifter markings on his skin. He struck an imposing figure in his gold-and-emerald jacket with black breeches.

Auslin remembered his manners. He gave a formal bow. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty."

Lenwat rose from his throne, approaching Auslin in disbelief. "How is this possible?" His shock grew with every step closer to Auslin that he took. "Surely, this must be a dream because surely there is no way that Vanra is standing before me in this era."

That's when Auslin remembered the dog shifter he had helped escape from a trap in the past. "Are you Misuta? The one I healed after we freed you from that awful trap?"

Lenwat took a step back as he stared at Auslin in utter disbelief. "How could you know such a thing? You were human then, and yet now…"

"It's a long story," Auslin sheepishly told him. "I had no idea you became the king of Zinnia!"

"But you were human," Misuta repeated as he tried to understand. "There is no way for Vanra to be standing before me right now, but here you are."

"Auslin is indeed the same Vanra that you met in the past," Kitsuki confirmed. "I was traveling with him at the time when I was a prince known as Kitaro. I recall the incident well."

Lenwat stared at Auslin in wonder. "It seems you are even more amazing than I had previously thought." He shook his head in disbelief. "I have never forgotten your kindness from back then. It has guided my actions to foster better relationships between shifters and humans in Zinnia once I became the king of these lands."

"Everyone has always been so accepting of me during my travels here over the years," Auslin said. "I can't believe it was inspired by what happened all those years ago."

"I still owe you a great debt from that time," Lenwat said.

Auslin shook his head. "Fostering such goodwill between humans and shifters is more than enough."

"I respectfully disagree. Not only did you heal my physical injuries, but you healed me of my ignorance as well. I do not know how I can ever repay you for those gifts, but I will do anything in my power."

Lenwat's sincerity touched Auslin. "In that case, should I ever require it, I promise I will ask you for that favor."

The dog shifter turned his attention to Auslin's mate. "King Kitsuki, I believe we have much to discuss about strengthening our alliances."

"It would bring me great pleasure to do so," Kitsuki confirmed with a bow of his head.

"Then perhaps you both would do me the honor of joining me for dinner tonight so we may get better acquainted with each other," Lenwat requested. "I would love if you would tell me your fantastical story. It would be my privilege to offer you a place to stay tonight."

"We would be happy to accept," Kitsuki agreed on behalf of himself and Auslin. "Your generous hospitality is most appreciated."

Lenwat smiled at them. "It is the least I can do given the great kindness you both have shown me in the past. However, I am sure you both are tired from your travels. I will have you shown to your rooms to rest before dinner."

"Thank you," Auslin said. It amazed him Lenwat was the same dog shifter he had helped six hundred years ago in the past.

"It is my great pleasure." Lenwat gestured for his servants to show the two to their quarters for the night.