35. Auslin

Chapter 35

Auslin

A uslin's happiness over his first kiss with Kitaro came to a crashing halt when they entered the dining hall and saw Tatsuki and a dour-looking Mitsuki having breakfast. When Auslin faltered in his steps, Kitaro gently gave his back a slight nudge to prod him forward.

He did his best to make himself small when he sat next to Kitaro. But his mere existence was enough to earn him the ire of Mitsuki.

"How kind of you to grace us with your presence this morning, little brother," Mitsuki sarcastically greeted them. "I figured you would have been too busy licking your wound to join us."

"What wound?" Kitaro deliberately pushed up his shirt sleeve to show off his fully healed arm. "Have you already forgotten that I won our bout? "

Mitsuki stared at his young brother in shock. "How is that possible?"

Kitaro played dumb as he airily said, "To what are you referring, brother?"

"You could not have healed, unless—" Mitsuki stopped midsentence. He turned his attention to Auslin with a hateful glare. " You ."

Auslin forced himself to meet Mitsuki's death stare. "Yes?"

" How ?" Mitsuki angrily demanded. "How is that even possible?"

"I healed Uncle Jaega, too," Auslin told him with a shrug. "You don't seem as mad about that, though."

Mitsuki looked downright murderous. "There is no way a mere human could heal Divine weapon injuries! It is impossible!"

"Perhaps if you spent less time insulting Vanra, you would understand he is not an ordinary human," Tatsuki said, giving his eldest son a stern warning look.

"You continue to embarrass yourself with your refusal to acknowledge Vanra as a being worthy of your respect rather than your contempt," Kitaro added.

Tatsuki narrowed his eyes at Mitsuki. "Are we to understand you used a Divine weapon against Kitaro?"

"I was attempting to teach him a lesson," Mitsuki said. "I gave him one, so it was a fair fight."

The shifter monarch rumbled with displeasure. "Your behavior is becoming more egregious. It mystifies us why you continue to disregard our warnings so flagrantly. Our patience is running thin."

"How is it my fault none of you have realized yet that this worm will bring us nothing but trouble?" Mitsuki's voice raised in his anger. "Why can none of you see that?"

"You and your inappropriate behavior have caused the only trouble," Tatsuki chided Mitsuki. "You are dismissed, Mitsuki. We will deal with you later."

"You can beat me all you want, but you will never change my mind," Mitsuki snarled as he stood up from the table. "I look forward to the day when you will have to apologize to me for not listening when you had the chance."

" Go ," Tatsuki ordered in a roar that made Auslin jump.

With a final withering glare at the human, Mitsuki stormed off with a growl.

Tatsuki sighed with frustration. "Just once, we would like to enjoy a breakfast without his tempestuous attitude ruining it. It seems we need to consult with Jaega for some ideas."

"I have no doubt he will have an entire arsenal of punishments specifically tailored for Mitsuki's misbehavior," Kitaro said.

"Of that, we are certain." Tatsuki's brow furrowed. " We will have him bend Mitsuki to our will. Our eldest forgets we enjoy a good challenge."

"I'm sorry," Auslin apologized. He felt awful that another fight had broken out when all he had wanted was to be ignored. "I don't mean to cause so much strife."

Tatsuki's gaze softened as he looked at him. "Do not trouble yourself over it, Vanra. This is a long-standing pattern of misbehavior from Mitsuki. If it was not you, we would be in conflict over some other matter."

That didn't make Auslin feel better. Completely put off his appetite by the fight, Auslin stood up with a bow. "If you will excuse me."

Kitaro started to do the same, but his father stopped him. "Kitaro, sit. We wish to talk with you further about this incident."

The younger shifter hesitated. "Forgive me, Father. But considering Mitsuki's recent behavior, I am uncomfortable with letting Vanra leave unaccompanied."

"He will be fine. Sit."

"I promise I'll stay away from Mitsuki," Auslin said. "I'll be okay."

Kitaro sat with a frown. "Very well."

With a final word of parting, Auslin hurried out of the dining hall.