70. Auslin

Chapter 70

Auslin

T he last thing Auslin had expected was Kitsuki to leave him alone with Eldin. He could only stammer, "O-okay," and watch in confusion as Kitsuki left. It made him turn to Eldin. "What happened?"

When Eldin didn't immediately answer, Auslin grew increasingly concerned. "Please tell me, Eldin."

"Knowing he loves you so much should make it easier for me to stop loving you, but it doesn't." Eldin clenched his hands into fists at his side as he struggled with his emotions. "I hate he didn't come in here growling and making threats at me so I could prove to you he only thinks of you as property."

"It's not like that between us. Kitsuki truly loves me."

Tears welled up in Eldin's eyes. "So do I."

"I'm so sorry," Auslin apologized, still feeling awful for the hurt he was unwittingly inflicting on his friend.

"Are you sorry you fell in love with someone else?" Eldin bitterly asked.

Auslin tried to be as delicate as possible. "I'm sorry for hurting you with my choice, but I don't regret becoming Kitsuki's mate. I'll never regret that decision."

Eldin was silent as he stared at the floor. "Why couldn't you have fallen in love with me instead?" When Auslin didn't immediately answer, it made him continue. "I could tell that night you shared my feelings. Why didn't you come back to me when Kio left you for Maseo?"

"Because that's not what happened. Maseo and I left Kio. It was the best thing for both of us to have a chance at happiness."

"Happiness? Maseo doesn't deserve happiness ," Eldin spat with a vehemence that scared Auslin. "He deserves death for what he did to you."

"No, he doesn't!" Auslin's temper flared at Eldin's unfair reaction. He hadn't realized his friend would have such a cruel mindset. It made Auslin fear what would happen if Eldin and Maseo's paths crossed if the half-shifter ended up following Auslin to Sybir. Guilt gnawed at Auslin because he might have inadvertently put Maseo in more danger. "Maseo didn't do anything to me. Kio made his choices."

"And Maseo made it easier for him by chasing him around from city to city like a little puppy dog," Eldin argued. "He wanted you to suffer."

"He wanted to be loved!" Auslin's heart ached for what he and Maseo had both been through because of Kio. "I don't blame him. Kio's the only one who deserves any kind of retribution for what he did to us."

Eldin's laugh had a hysterical edge to it that unsettled Auslin. "Do you forgive Maseo for what he did to you?"

"I'm saying he never did anything that requires forgiveness. Why can't you understand the blame lies solely with Kio?"

"Because Maseo is equally responsible in my eyes. You're being too lenient because you're kind."

Auslin scowled. "And you're being too cruel because you're mad at Kio for hurting me. If all I want for Maseo is for him to find happiness and love, why would you wish him harm?"

"Because they both deserve to die for what they did to you."

Nothing good could come from the circular argument. Auslin refocused Eldin's attention by answering his previous question. "Truthfully, there's a part of me that regretted stopping when we did and going back to Kio. I spent a lot of nights wondering what would have happened if we hadn't stopped. But for the longest time, I didn't think I deserved someone who loved me the way you did. Then I finally found what I was looking for in Kitsuki."

"You didn't even give me the chance to make you happy," Eldin protested. "There's nothing I wouldn't have done to show you how much I love you."

It hurt to hear, but Auslin forced himself to endure it as punishment. "I know I have no right to ask for forgiveness, but I hope you'll understand one day."

Eldin reached out and caressed Auslin's cheek. "I'll never stop loving you."

When Eldin leaned closer, Auslin feared he would kiss him on the lips. It was a relief he settled for a forehead kiss. "I hope you understand I love you enough to step back and let you be happy with your mate," Eldin said. "There's no harder decision in this life for me than to let someone else do the one thing I want most in this life."

"Thank you," Auslin whispered in relief.

"But if he ever hurts you, I don't care that he's a king. I'll fight him for your sake," Eldin swore.

Auslin simply nodded because he knew it would never come down to that.

Eldin gathered Auslin in a lingering hug. He pressed a loving kiss against Auslin's neck. His voice sounded strangled when he said, "You should go before I lose my will to let you leave."

"For what it's worth, I'll always love you as a friend." Auslin kissed Eldin's cheek in farewell before leaving.

W hen Auslin returned to the castle, guilt still plagued him. As soon as they were alone, Auslin rushed to embrace Kitsuki. His body trembled from the overwhelming emotions coursing through him.

Auslin struggled with what had happened. Even though he had gotten his closure, it hurt knowing he'd caused his dear friend so much pain. But the most unsettling thing of all had been the ugly glimpse of anger Eldin harbored for Maseo. It scared Auslin.

Kitsuki guided Auslin's head up to give him a loving kiss, which quickly grew more heated with Kitsuki's desperate need to reassert his claim over Auslin.

"We have lunch with King Kehnon soon," Auslin reminded Kitsuki, even as his mate stirred his passions.

"Must I wait until after lunch to make you feel better?" Kitsuki asked as he nuzzled against Auslin.

Auslin hugged Kitsuki. "I already feel better. Thank you for letting me talk to him. And for not threatening him."

"Despite his feelings for you, he is still your friend," Kitsuki said. "I am not so possessive or unreasonable as to forbid you from associating with him."

"I think this was goodbye for good."

Kitsuki hugged Auslin closer, sending reassurance through their mating bond.

The mage closed his eyes as he let the comfort wash over him. "I know I made the right choice."

"Yes, you did." Kitsuki kissed the top of his head.

"I love you," Auslin said as he looked up into Kitsuki's eyes with all the love he felt.

"And I wish I could show you the depths of my love for you right now. Unfortunately, we need to get ready for lunch."

Auslin went to the bathroom to wash the traces of Eldin off him before they went to meet with King Kehnon.

"I am so pleased you could join me for lunch before you depart," Kehnon greeted them as they sat down at the long table in the dining hall. "I wish you were staying longer."

"We are most grateful for your kind hospitality during our visit," Kitsuki said.

After lunch was served, Kehnon turned his attention to Auslin. "I hope you both will come back when we have the grand opening of our new mixed heritage theatre."

"You're really going to build one?" Auslin asked in shock, unable to believe that his suggestion had been accepted.

Kehnon nodded before he began to eat. "It was a fine idea that my advisors also agreed was an excellent chance at repairing relations. Of course, it will take some months before it is ready, but I think it is an opportunity to do something amazing. Hopefully, other rulers will follow suit in the future."

"That's amazing!" Auslin brimmed with excitement. "I'm sure everyone will love it!"

"I will send an invitation when we draw closer to opening night," Kehnon told them. "It is my sincerest desire you both attend."

Kitsuki inclined his head. "We would be honored to attend such a momentous occasion."

"Wonderful. It will be a most joyous evening," Kehnon said. "Where will your travels take you next?"

"We will stop at a few places along the way to Mizujil, where we will meet with my cousin Queen Kalassandria," Kitsuki answered. "It is truly lovely there this time of the year."

Auslin's heart plummeted at the thought of visiting Kalassandria in her kingdom. He had never forgotten their awkward encounter at the reception after his Fatebonding ceremony. Kizoshi's warning he should keep his distance from Kalassandria also troubled him. At the same time, he didn't feel like he could deny Kitsuki a visit with family when he had been so understanding about stopping in cities where Auslin had friends.

"Their massive waterfalls are beautiful beyond compare," Kehnon said.

Auslin tried to respond normally. "I've never been before."

"Oh, you are in for a true treat," Kehnon assured him. "Surely, not even the Divine Realm could be as gorgeous as Mizujil. It is a veritable paradise."

"I've always wanted to see their famous waterfalls, but I never made it that far west in my own travels," Auslin said. Kio had refused to visit Mizujil.

"I wish you both pleasant travels," Kehnon told them. "I am honored you stopped in Sybir on your journey."

"It was our pleasure to come to your wonderful city," Kitsuki replied. "We shall look forward to our return once the theatre is ready for its debut."

"I can't wait!" Auslin was much happier thinking about the new theatre than worrying about visiting Kalassandria without Kizoshi to help protect him.