62. Maseo

Chapter 62

Maseo

T here was something deeply unnerving about being at the Fate's Gate Temple. Maseo felt incredibly out of place as he fidgeted in front of the doors, trying to find the courage to open them.

"Hello there," a voice said from behind Maseo. "Can I help you?"

Maseo's heart almost beat out of his chest, as if he had been caught doing something naughty he wasn't supposed to. He turned around to see a young acolyte, who mercifully wasn't looking at him with suspicion.

"Is Sephen around?" Maseo asked. "I need to speak to him urgently." It seemed safer to start with reaching out to Auslin's younger brother than walking up to the castle gates. Just because Kitsuki had sent him a ring didn't mean Maseo was welcome to visit.

"I'm not sure if he's back yet, but I can check." The acolyte perked up at the sight of an elderly mage approaching them. "Elder Bancho, do you know if Sephen is back from his errands yet?"

"He should be back soon. I will accompany our guest to the stone garden while we wait. Please send Sephen there as soon as he returns."

"Yes, Elder Bancho," the acolyte said with a formal bow.

"Please follow me," Bancho requested as he gestured at Maseo. "What business do you have with our young Sephen?" His tone was curious rather than accusatory.

Maseo fell into step alongside him. "I need to talk to him about his brother."

"In that case, why not speak directly to Auslin?"

He was distracted from immediately answering as they walked past the Fate's Gate monument. Something eerie about it sent shivers of fear down Maseo's spine. "Honestly, I'm not sure I would be welcome at the castle."

"I cannot imagine Auslin would turn you away." Bancho led them over to a bench when they entered the beautiful stone garden. There was something peaceful about the space, which surprised Maseo, considering how anxious the temple made him.

Maseo hesitantly sat next to the mage. "I've given him a lot of reasons to hate me."

"You must not know Auslin very well if you believe he's capable of hating you," Bancho said with a chuckle. "He and his mate are very understanding people."

Maseo reflexively touched the ring Kitsuki had gifted him. "It's…complicated. I have a past I'm not proud of, so I've given Auslin a lot of reasons to keep his distance from me."

"The important thing is that your past stays in the past." Bancho leaned back against the bench as he rested his hands on top of his cane. "Do not let it burden your future."

Maseo's stomach twisted with anxiety. "I wish it was that easy."

"Despite your past you seem so ashamed of, it seems you care for Auslin a great deal." For a man blind with cataracts, the mage seemed to notice a lot. "That must count for something, no?"

"He's one of the most amazing people I've ever met. Him and his mate."

"If they are so amazing, would they not also be forgiving of whatever happened in your past?" Bancho asked with a hum of interest.

Maseo hung his head in shame. "Some things can't be forgiven."

"You should let them decide that, instead of assuming the worst of two people who only give everyone their best."

It was good advice, but Maseo had a hard time believing it applied to him. "But I'm unworthy?—"

"If you were unworthy, you would not be here trying to save them." Before Maseo could respond, Bancho shifted his attention. "Ah, young Sephen has arrived. I will leave you to your discussion."

Sephen faltered when he saw Maseo, but his expression was full of curiosity rather than hatred. "Sorry I'm late." Once Bancho left, Sephen took his seat. It startled the half-shifter when the human gathered both his hands to give them a squeeze. "I'm so glad you're here!"

That hadn't been the reception Maseo had expected. "You…you are?"

"Auslin has been really worried about you. He'll be elated to find out you're okay."

The information shocked Maseo. Why would Auslin care about him at all? He had so many questions, but he focused on his mission. "Would it be possible for me to meet him? I have news for him and King Kitsuki."

"Unfortunately, you just missed them." Sephen's revelation made Maseo's heart drop. "They're on their way to Barlatan to visit some of Auslin's friends. They left a few days ago."

Zinnia was a ferry ride away, but that didn't deter Maseo. "Then I'll try to find them there."

"I could have Kisano send a messenger to them," Sephen offered. "He's Kitsuki's older brother and my mate."

Maseo's gaze dropped to see the markings on Sephen's skin that hadn't been there the last time they ran into each other while he was out shopping with Auslin in Tiora. "I appreciate the offer, but I need to tell them myself." If nothing else, Maseo wanted to know why it seemed Auslin and Kitsuki were so concerned with his well-being.

"In that case, ask for Yaro or Tiah when you reach Barlatan. They're his best friends in the city, so if anyone will know where Auslin is, it's them." Maseo remembered seeing them in Barlatan when he was with Kio during Auslin's visits to the capital of Zinnia.

Maseo appreciated the advice, but he found it odd Sephen was so open to giving him information to find his brother. "Can I ask an uncomfortable question?"

Sephen laughed. "Sure."

"Why don't you seem to hate me?" Maseo rubbed his thumb over his dragon ring. "You know why Auslin should hate me. How could you not?"

Sephen looked at him with so much sympathy that Maseo forgot how to breathe. "Because both of us understand Kio is the villain in this situation. He hurt you even worse than my brother." Maseo didn't expect Sephen to lean over and give him a hug. "I'm sorry he treated you so terribly. You didn't deserve it. Neither you nor Auslin did."

"Thank you," Maseo said in a soft voice. He struggled not to cry at the revelation. "I just…I thought everyone hated me because I was with Kio."

"We're much happier you got away from him. That's what matters more than anything." Sephen smiled at him with a warmth he didn't understand. "I hope you can have a nice, long chat with Auslin when you find him. I think it would help you both feel a lot better."

Maseo admitted something he had never said out loud before. "I always thought under different circumstances, Auslin and I could be friends. But Kio ruined any chance of that."

"No, he didn't," Sephen said with conviction. "Auslin already thinks of you as a friend. But he's afraid you wouldn't want to be friends because you blame him."

Maseo's jaw dropped. "How could I blame him for any part of Kio's cruelty?"

"If you feel like that, is it such a stretch to believe Auslin feels the same way about you?"

After a lifetime of abuse, Maseo found it almost impossible to fathom Auslin didn't hold Kio against him. "He really thinks of me as a friend?"

"He definitely does. He wants you to be happy and loved, like you deserve." Sephen smiled at him again. "Like I said, it sounds like you two need to have a nice, long talk instead of assuming the other thinks the worst of you. You two becoming close friends will be the only good thing Kio will have ever done with his life."

Now, more than ever, Maseo was determined to find Auslin and Kitsuki. "Thank you for telling me."

Sephen reached over and squeezed his shoulders. "I know you've been living like a lone wolf for a while now, but you have more allies than you think. Me included."

"That means more to me than I could ever possibly express." Maseo stood up to leave. "Thank you for talking to me. I promise I'll find your brother to tell him what I've found out."

"Good luck, and safe travels. I'll say some extra prayers to Sophina that fate puts you in Auslin and Kitsuki's path soon."

His conversation with Sephen made Maseo even more resolved to find Auslin and Kitsuki. It mattered more than ever before that he told them what his father was planning before it was too late.