45. Auslin

Chapter 45

Auslin

W hile Auslin waited for Kitaro's return, he read a book he had borrowed from Kisano's library. He lost himself in the story, so it came as a surprise when the doors opened, and Kitaro returned in a dark mood.

Auslin set his book aside. "Oh, no. What happened?"

Kitaro sat beside him on the bed. "My father's campaign was successful. There will be a banquet in a few days to celebrate their victory."

Based on the shifter's mood, Auslin feared for the worst. "Were there a lot of casualties?"

He shook his head. "No, there was no loss of life on our side. Father is most pleased your suggestion to wait until winter to attack worked out to our advantage."

"That's such a relief to hear." Auslin had worried about what would happen if his idea had backfired somehow. "If that's the case, why are you so upset?"

Kitaro glanced away from Auslin. "Father informed me we are to prepare for our journey to Satsuma's."

"But I don't want to go back to my time!" Auslin protested. "Why even bother making the trip if I'm just going to stay here?"

"It is Father's belief that as fate brought you here, it is necessary to consult with Satsuma about what will happen to you," Kitaro explained. "There is no negotiation on the matter. We are to go to Satsuma's."

The news left Auslin distraught. "But what if she tells me I must return to my time? I don't want to!"

"Then we will deal with it then." Kitaro looked as torn up about it as Auslin felt. "We can only hope that she advises you are to stay here."

"But that's…"

When Auslin didn't finish his sentence, Kitaro continued. "It was not all bad news, though. Father confirmed that should Satsuma decide your place is here, you are to remain with us. In fact, he even said he hopes that will be the outcome."

It was a relief to hear, but the alternative possibility was too upsetting to Auslin. "But I don't want to leave at all!"

Kitaro caressed Auslin's cheek. "Nor do I want you to. If it were up to me, we would not make the journey at all, but I cannot change my father's mind on this. And as much as it pains me to admit, he is right. We must go."

Tears gathered in Auslin's eyes. He covered Kitaro's hand with his own, then nuzzled against it. "I can't leave you."

"I know." Kitaro consoled him. "We can only trust fate brought you here so we can be together."

Auslin threw his arms around Kitaro's neck to hug him tightly. The thought of going back to a world where he didn't know if Kitaro still existed made him feel sick to his stomach. He could only whisper Kitaro's name in distress as tears fell from his eyes.

Kitaro soothed Auslin's upset by holding him tight and stroking his back. Auslin cried harder when he thought about having to return to a world where Kio would have yelled at him for being so emotional.

When Auslin's cries had subsided into sniffles, Kitaro pulled back slightly. He brushed the tear streaks away with heartbreaking tenderness. "I give you my word we will make this work, Vanra. I will not lose you so easily."

Auslin nodded with a sniffle. He tried to trust in the fact that he was brought to be with Kitaro for a reason. "Well, at least traveling with you will be fun. It's been weird being in one place for so long. I'm used to life on the road."

Kitaro kissed Auslin's forehead. "I am quite certain we will find some fun along the way. "

"How long do we have?" Auslin asked. He used his powers to clear his stuffed-up sinuses.

"Father expects us to leave within the next month."

"That's too soon," Auslin mournfully said. "Then again, I don't think I'll ever be ready for it."

"Nor I."

They consoled one another through their shared intimacy, drawing strength from the deep connection that had already formed between them. Auslin threw himself into pleasuring Kitaro because the thought of returning to a world where he might never have the chance to do it again made it too hard to breathe.

Desperation guided their actions. They were emotionally raw as their hands roamed all over in search of comfort and a climax. If they could get through things together, they told themselves that maybe then everything would be okay.