52. Kitaro

Chapter 52

Kitaro

K itaro burned with urgent questions. He waited to indulge his curiosity until they were safe in their room, sitting in front of the fireplace that lit upon their arrival. "What was that about?"

"I honestly don't know." Vanra sighed as he slumped on the sofa. "You weren't kidding when you said your sister was an endless riddle wrapped in a mystery."

"It can be rather difficult to follow her meaning." Kitaro sat close, his dragon stirring with unrest when he smelled something upsetting. "More importantly, why is Nasume's scent on you?"

"He ambushed me in a hallway to intimidate me." Vanra rubbed his neck with a scowl. "Thankfully, Kizoshi drove him off before anything happened."

Kitaro's dragon rattled in its cage, but he calmed himself. He needed details before they reacted. "What did he do?"

"He told me you were his, so I should back off." Vanra hesitated for a moment. "He also implied that you had a past together."

It was an uncomfortable topic. Kitaro had to choose his words carefully. "As much as it pains me to admit, our friendship was not always chaste or so strained. We never went beyond kissing because I quickly learned giving in to him was a terrible idea. Nasume has never accepted my change of opinion on the matter of us being together."

The information clearly upset Vanra. Kitaro needed to fix things. He took the human's hand in his. "I let him kiss me because I believed it was expected of me to do so. But it brought me no joy or pleasure. I have never in my life felt for him the way I do for you. You are everything I ever want, now and always."

Vanra threw his arms around Kitaro's neck. "Logically, I know he was only trying to get in my head. But it still helps to hear you say that."

"It is the truth. I only feel regret about what happened. You have my word that I will never reciprocate his interest when I find him utterly repugnant." He guided the human onto his lap.

"I believe you." Vanra sat back with a sigh but didn't move away. "I'm so grateful your sister showed up when she did, even though it was embarrassing to be caught in such a compromising position. The last thing I want is for her to hate me, too."

"She has always had the most impeccable sense of timing."

Vanra grinned. "She certainly enjoys getting rid of him. Does it make me a bad person for enjoying her dismissing him like he was a lowly peasant?"

Kitaro chuckled. "Not at all. I am quite certain that if she could take Nasume out of this Realm permanently, she would happily do so in a heartbeat." His sister had many reasons to hate Nasume, mostly on his behalf. "The good news is, he should leave after breakfast. He will soon be nothing more than a distant memory."

"Then tomorrow can't come soon enough."

Kitaro lovingly stroked Vanra's cheek. "I regret that my past indiscretions have caused problems for you. I was wholly ignorant of what would be waiting for me in the future with you."

Vanra gave Kitaro a reassuring kiss. "I'm not mad about Nasume and you in the past. You've accepted my history with my companion, so why would I not do the same in return? I'm honestly shocked you don't have a string of former lovers, given how amazing you are."

"He was my sole dalliance."

"It's okay." Vanra gave him a reassuring smile. "At this point, I'm more relieved your sister doesn't hate me. "

"Why would Kizoshi hate you?"

Vanra rolled his eyes. "For any of the many reasons Mitsuki would rather see me dead than be part of your clan? New reasons that are hers alone? I mean, why would someone who is half-shifter, half-Power tolerate a lowly human in her clan?"

"I must confess, I expected her to ignore you. It surprises me she seems to have taken a sudden interest in you." Kitaro intended to talk to his sister about that later. "She normally has no interest in beings from the Living Realm, let alone humans."

Vanra touched a ring on his hand that Kitaro hadn't noticed before. "I may be wrong, but I think she might like me. Maybe. I don't know. It's really difficult to read her."

"You are not the first to feel that way. Her tendency to speak in riddles and vague clues makes it extremely hard to comprehend her meanings. Being related to her provides little advantage in understanding her mystery."

"I guess it must be part of her Power heritage, then." Vanra sighed with relief. "At least I know she doesn't hate me. As long as I stay on her good side, I think I'll be okay."

Kitaro brought Vanra's hand up to study the ring. "Did she give you this?"

"Yes, although I still don't understand why. But she was very insistent that I never take it off under any circumstances. "

It was a disconcerting command. "She never does anything without a reason. You would be wise to obey her." He rubbed his thumb over the amethyst stone, which seemed to flicker with an unnatural glow. The band was warmer to the touch than it should be. Kitaro chalked it up to his sister's magic. "I fear what would happen if you disregarded her wishes."

"Don't worry. I promised her I'd always wear it, and I intend to keep that promise."

"I am glad to hear it."

"As much as I would love to hide in here with you, should we return to the banquet?"

Kitaro shook his head. "No, I have had quite enough of today's festivities."

Vanra heaved a sigh of relief. "Thank you. I really didn't want to go back in there again."

"It has been an eventful day." Kitaro caressed the human's back as he held him. "Would you prefer a bath instead?"

His moan immediately grabbed the attention of Kitaro's dragon. "That sounds divine."

Eager to improve their night, Kitaro led the way to the bathroom, leaving a trail of their clothes behind them.