72. Auslin

Chapter 72

Auslin

A fter crossing into Arenvale, Auslin and Kitsuki stopped for a break before continuing their journey toward Mizujil.

"I did not realize you had never been to Mizujil before," Kitsuki said as they ate lunch.

"Kio always complained Mizujil was too far away, so we never went."

Kitsuki made an amused noise. "I suspect Kio's refusal to go to Mizujil had more to do with Kalassandria ruling the lands rather than how far west it was."

"Why is that?" Auslin asked. He had never heard Kio mention her, so it surprised him there was an issue.

"Kalassandria has had a long-standing hatred of Kio since the day he was born. She made sure he knew it."

Auslin wasn't sure what to make of the information. "Is it because his mother was human?"

"Partially. It had more to do with who Kio's mother was than the fact that she was human, though."

Although Kio had loved his mother, he didn't talk about her often. He always said he wanted to leave the past in the past. "Why would it matter who his mother was?"

"His maternal grandfather was lord of a human town. He waged war on the shifters in his kingdom and was responsible for the death of Kalassandria's father in battle. Kalassandria felt betrayed when my father chose Kio's mother as a battle trophy in revenge for his brother's death, then fell in love with her. Kio being the physical evidence of that felt like a slap in the face to her."

"Is it really wise for me to go to Mizujil?" Auslin asked. "If she knew I used to be with Kio and now I'm with you, it could cause a problem."

"You have nothing to fear from Kalassandria," Kitsuki reassured him. "She was fine at the Fatebonding ceremony."

Auslin raised his eyebrows in surprise. "You call that fine?"

"Her anger was aimed at Kizoshi," Kitsuki said. "Those two have hated each other as long as they've been alive."

Auslin remained unconvinced. "But what if she finds out about what happened in the past?"

"There is no need to make a problem where one does not exist," Kitsuki replied in a gentle voice. "Kalassandria will have no quarrel with you."

Based on Kizoshi's advice to keep his distance, Auslin found it hard to believe Kalassandria would willingly welcome his arrival. However, it was in his best interests to stop protesting since they were going to Mizujil no matter what.

"She will not—" Kitsuki interrupted himself as he stared into the distance with furrowed eyebrows.

Auslin stretched his senses but didn't feel anything threatening nearby. "What's wrong?"

"My magic activated to protect Maseo again."

Auslin's heart hammered in fear. "From who?"

"I cannot tell." Kitsuki's gaze remained distant. "Whoever it is, they are trying to crush my barrier, but I am stronger than his attacker."

"Do you think it's one of Nasume's men?" Auslin's stomach dropped as he realized it might be his fault Maseo was in danger. "Or Eldin?"

Kitsuki shook his head. "I can only feel magic is being used against him, not what kind."

Auslin was about to ask another question when Hibiki yelled, "Attack!"

Auslin raised a barrier in time to dissolve an arrow fired at them.

A human hunter approached. He called out to Auslin, "Back away from the dragon shifter, son. My name's Urio. I'll protect you."

"There's no need for concern," Auslin reassured him. "He's not an enemy."

Urio narrowed his eyes. "Clearly, that dragon shifter has bewitched you with his magic, but I'll save you!" He fired another arrow, which Auslin dissolved.

"He has done no such thing. I would appreciate if you would stop attacking me and my mate when we've done nothing to deserve it."

" Mate ?" Urio repeated with a sneer. "Oh, so you're one of them ."

"Them?" Auslin asked in confusion.

"Yes, one of those disgusting, sympathizing humans who are part of the problem with shifters corrupting our society," Urio answered with an ugly sneer. "Fine, I'll just kill you both, then."

Kitsuki joined the argument. "I will not allow harm to come to my mate because of your misguided hate. Leave us in peace, or face the consequences." When Urio's answer was to rush at them in attack, Kitsuki used his magic to restrain the man. "I will not say it again."

Urio spit in Kitsuki's direction. "Of course, you have no problem killing me like the beast you are."

Kitsuki's dragon rose to the surface. "We can do a lot more than kill you. We can torture you and make you beg for the relief of death."

"No, you can't!" Auslin exclaimed in horror.

"I don't want your pity, you shifter-loving filth!" Urio defiantly stared down Kitsuki's dragon with anger. "Go ahead. Show your mate what a cruel savage you really are."

"The only one being cruel is you!" Auslin feared what would happen if Urio didn't back down. "Why can't you leave us alone? We've done nothing to you!"

"People like you are more barbarian than human," Kitsuki's dragon snarled. "We would be doing the Realm a favor by riding it of your foul presence."

"Kitsuki!" Auslin called out in harsh reprimand.

The dragon ignored his mate, his attention fully on Urio. "What do you intend to do once you're free?"

Urio answered without hesitation. "Kill you both."

Kitsuki's dragon drew his sword. In the blink of an eye, he pressed it against the hunter's neck in a silent threat. "We will kill you painfully for making such threats toward our mate."

"Stop it!" Auslin yelled at his mate's dragon.

The dragon shifter sheathed his sword. "Your blood is not worthy of being spilled by our sword." He used his magic to send Urio flying back into a tree. Kitsuki's dragon watched with cold eyes as Urio struggled to his feet.

Undeterred, Urio drew a dagger, then rushed in Auslin's direction.

Auslin readied himself for the attack but was startled when Urio suddenly dropped dead in front of him. He looked over at Kitsuki's dragon in time to see him lowering his hand. Auslin's temper flared. "Why did you kill him after I begged you not to?"

Kitsuki stepped over Urio's dead body to stand in front of Auslin. His dragon stared down at his mate. A ripple of anger passed through their bond when Auslin took a step back from him.

"The only thing that would stop him from trying to kill you was death," Kitsuki's dragon stated in an emotionless voice. "We could not abide by such filth threatening your life. It was unforgivable. The Realm is better off without his hatred."

"There had to be another way!" Auslin protested.

"And what words would you have used that would make that cretin listen?"

It frustrated Auslin he didn't have an answer to the question. "I don't know, but neither of us were in real danger because of our powers. You didn't have to kill him!"

"While it is admirable you have compassion for such a worthless existence, he deserved to die," Kitsuki's dragon said in an icy voice. "We only showed mercy in killing him swiftly to spare your feelings. Had we had our way, we would have flayed him alive and tortured him until he begged for death."

"Kitsuki!" Auslin wanted his mate's dragon to retreat so they could talk about what happened rationally.

"We would go to any lengths to ensure no one ever hurts you," Kitsuki's dragon swore to Auslin.

The sight of Urio's dead body upset Auslin. "Why is killing your solution to problems now?" Kitsuki's dragon didn't answer, so Auslin repeated his question. "This is why you want to kill Kio, isn't it?"

Kitsuki's dragon was silent for another long moment as Auslin stared him down with an expectant expression. "You are not ready for the answer."

"That's a yes, isn't it?"

"Yes, we wish to pull off Kio's claws one by one before cutting off each of his fingers for having ever dared to harm you," Kitsuki's dragon growled. "We wish to break every bone in his worthless body, we wish to rob him of his manhood, we would split him open and disembowel him with the greatest of pleasure. We would not be satisfied until we had cut his unfeeling heart out of his chest and left him in broken, bloody pieces for the maggots to eat."

The graphic description horrified Auslin. He took a step back from Kitsuki's dragon. "How can you say that? How can you even think that?"

"Because it is unacceptable how deeply Kio hurt you for so long. We wish to punish Kio to the utmost of our abilities and have our vengeance on him for all the pain he has caused you."

"That wouldn't make me feel better!" Auslin yelled.

"Which is why we do nothing out of respect for your wishes," Kitsuki's dragon said. "Your kindness is the only reason that wretch still exists and is merely restrained instead of dead and buried like he deserves."

It hurt to hear. Auslin demanded, "And what about Eldin? Would you kill him, too?"

"We will not harm Eldin."

Auslin glared at him. "That wasn't what I asked."

"Our wishes differ from his," the dragon said regarding Kitsuki. "That is all that matters."

It confused Auslin. "What does that mean?"

"He believes Eldin having to live with his hurt is punishment enough."

"And you?"

"We have resisted our urge to punish Eldin for overstepping his bounds and forcing a kiss on you when he knew you were mated," Kitsuki's dragon growled. "We know it is not allowed."

Auslin returned to his earlier point. "And what about Kio? Are you really going to let Kio stay in the dungeon?"

"As long as he does nothing further to you, we will allow him to have his pathetic existence." It was a small comfort when Kitsuki's dragon retreated.

"Are you really fine with what your dragon just did?" Auslin questioned in anguish.

"We are united in our opinion of what should happen to that man for threatening you," Kitsuki answered, although it wasn't what Auslin wished to hear.

"You know he posed no real threat to us!"

"And what if he had a Divine weapon?" Kitsuki countered. "It was a risk we were not willing to take."

Auslin fumed at the answer. "I could have healed any damage from a Divine weapon, and you know it!"

"There was no other acceptable option," Kitsuki said in an emotionless voice.

"There were plenty of other options!"

"None that involved that man peacefully leaving us alone," Kitsuki argued. "There was a chance he had reinforcements. It was too dangerous to risk."

"If you were really worried about that, we would have already left," Auslin shot back. "And what about Kio? Do you really want to hurt Kio that badly?"

"I will admit it is hard to resist my dragon's clamoring need for revenge against Kio for hurting you in the past," Kitsuki admitted.

"What, so now you want to go back to hurt everyone in my past who has ever hurt me?" Auslin sarcastically asked. "Are you going to hurt Maseo, too?"

Kitsuki frowned at the question. "We protect him for your sake. But Kio is an exception. Not only has he hurt you in unforgivable ways, but he has also brought shame upon my clan with his outrageous behavior. He still poses too much of a threat to your happiness."

"What threat is he when he's locked up in a dungeon?" Auslin demanded in outrage.

"I have sworn to you I will let him continue to exist so long as he does not harm you further," Kitsuki reminded Auslin. "I will not concede on that matter."

It hurt to hear. "So I'm supposed to be grateful you let Kio and Eldin live for my sake?"

"I defy my dragon's every instinct for your peace of mind," Kitsuki heatedly defended himself. "But I will not apologize for doing whatever needs to be done to protect you at any cost."

When Auslin remained silent, Kitsuki continued. "This is not the first time I killed someone to protect you, so why is this any different?"

"Those were actual life and death situations because we were under attack," Auslin argued. "Hibiki didn't come out, so how much of a threat could Urio really have been?"

"I am sorry you are upset," Kitsuki said in place of an answer.

"You should be sorry for what you did!"

Kitsuki shook his head. "I will not apologize for keeping you safe."

Auslin gestured at the dead body. "So now what? We leave him?"

"That is exactly what we are going to do," Kitsuki confirmed.

When Kitsuki approached and tried to take him in his arms, Auslin pushed him away. "This isn't okay!"

Forcibly taking hold of Auslin, Kitsuki flew them off while his mate continued protesting.

W hen Kitsuki led them into a cave and started a fire for them, Auslin put distance between them. "How could you?"

"Are you upset my dragon killed for your sake or the fact that he killed a human?"

Auslin's outrage burned bright. "Both!"

"You are fully aware I am a shifter with a dragon who rules entirely on instinct. It should not surprise you, especially because I have killed to protect you on more than one occasion, including that time when a group of humans ambushed you."

Auslin looked down in shame. "But Urio died tonight because of me."

"No, he died because of his blind hatred and thirst for violence," Kitsuki corrected Auslin. "It is not your fault."

When Auslin didn't look convinced, Kitsuki took his face in his hands. "We both will go to any length to protect you. Nothing is more important than making sure you are safe and loved."

"But the stuff he said about Kio was so brutal," Auslin said in an agonized whisper. "I don't want that!"

"I have given you my word that I am honor-bound to your desire for Kio to remain in this realm, so long as he poses no threat to you," Kitsuki reminded Auslin. "You do not need to fear my dragon."

"I'm not scared of your dragon, but more what he's capable of doing in the name of love for me. Why can't you understand that?"

Kitsuki surrendered control to his dragon to defend himself. "We do not harm those who do not deserve it."

"Why do you get to decide who deserves to be punished?" Auslin angrily demanded.

"We only judge those who try to hurt you," Kitsuki's dragon told him. "We never kill arbitrarily."

Auslin gave the dragon a pleading look. "But I asked you not to!"

Kitsuki's dragon stroked Auslin's cheek. "We wished we could have obeyed, but the threat of danger made that impossible. Will you forgive us?" He looked genuinely apprehensive about being denied forgiveness.

It surprised Auslin to see the absence of his normal confidence. Auslin stepped back to take a breath as he sorted his thoughts. He needed to stop reacting purely on his emotions heightened by what happened. Everything Kitsuki had said was true, much as Auslin hated it. He was trying to hold Kitsuki's dragon to a human standard, which was unfair.

"I understand and appreciate your need to protect me," Auslin softly told Kitsuki's dragon after taking a few calming breaths. "But in the future, I need you to find any other way than killing someone, if possible."

"We will do our best to refrain from lethal methods," Kitsuki's dragon conceded before adding the caveat, "but if it comes down to it, we will kill again if it means you stay safe."

Auslin continued to struggle with the issue. He couldn't help but feel like a hypocrite now that he had calmed down some. He had purified plenty of shifters to the Beyond Realm, so it wasn't as if he was completely innocent when it came to ending someone's life.

The longer Auslin remained silent, the more uncomfortable Kitsuki's dragon became. "Are we not forgiven?"

Kitsuki's dragon looked genuinely upset he might have done something that was beyond forgiveness. It made Auslin realize how important his approval was. "I forgive you," Auslin said with a sigh before adding, "but you need to understand you really hurt me with what you did."

The dragon shifter gathered Auslin into a tight embrace. He nuzzled his mate as he apologized. "We never wished to upset you. All we want is your happiness."

Auslin remained silent, but he returned the hug.

"You are our everything," Kitsuki's dragon whispered.

"Ah," Auslin softly agreed as he continued holding Kitsuki's unsettled dragon. "What happened to Maseo?" In the commotion, Auslin had almost forgotten Maseo was under attack when Urio confronted them.

Kitsuki's dragon retreated. "Whoever attacked him could not break my protective barrier, so Maseo escaped unharmed."

It was a relief to hear Maseo was safe from harm. Auslin could only hope whoever had tried to harm Maseo didn't have a second chance at it.