66. Kitaro

Chapter 66

Kitaro

A heavy silence hung over Kitaro and Vanra as they settled into the room Satsuma had provided them.

Vanra sat on the edge of the bed, staring down at the floor with a dejected expression.

Kitaro's heart hadn't stopped shattering since finding out Vanra had to return to his time at some undetermined point in the future. Everything in him wanted Satsuma to be wrong so that Vanra could stay with him, but he knew in his heart of hearts that the ancient owl shifter wasn't mistaken. It was only a matter of time before Kitaro lost the human who meant so much to him. It made him desperate to hold on to Vanra even more.

But he had not yet given himself over to despair. The implication that they somehow wouldn't be separated gave Kitaro the slightest shred of hope that maybe everything would work out for them.

He sat down next to Vanra on the bed, wrapping his arm around the human. It pleased him when the mage leaned into the embrace. "All is not lost, Vanra. We cannot give up hope."

"How can you say that?" Vanra asked in anguish. "I have to go back to my time, but I don't want to! And why did she have to bring my mom and your sister into this? What did she mean I'm the son of a secret? Things were already confusing enough when it was only about Fate's Gate."

Kitaro rubbed Vanra's shoulder in silent reassurance. "I do not have an answer for you, but I will talk to my sister upon our return. She might share some insights on the matter."

"But wouldn't she have said something last time and spared us this trip?"

"Not necessarily. That is not her way."

Vanra sighed heavily. "What could she possibly tell us that Satsuma can't?"

"Kizoshi's answers will also be riddles, but she may share something of use," Kitaro told him. "She is best friends with the Fate and Knowledge Powers, so I am quite confident Kizoshi is aware of things that we are not. The three of them have few secrets between each other."

"I don't want to leave you," Vanra whispered. Grief clouded his scent .

While Kitaro was struggling with his emotions, his priority was making Vanra feel better. "Fate or not, I will not let go of you so easily."

"That's the only reason I'm not panicking." Vanra fell silent for a few moments. "Did the Day of Ascension thing mean anything to you?"

"No, but Kisano is far more knowledgeable about such things. We can consult him when we return."

"I hope he's okay," Vanra said with another sigh. "I miss talking to him."

"You can rest easy knowing Kisano is being left alone in his library," Kitaro said. "Mitsuki would not dare go in there for anything."

Vanra moved back to look at Kitaro. "This is the worst. All I want to do is stay with you."

The pleading look in Vanra's eyes moved Kitaro's heart. He leaned down and gently kissed him in silent reassurance. Vanra threaded his fingers through Kitaro's long, white hair.

Kitaro wanted to lay possessive claim to Vanra in defiance of fate, but he was too fearful of the consequences. Until he knew more, he would have to continue restraining himself. It was deeply frustrating, but there was no helping it.

As the kiss grew more heated, Vanra repositioned himself on to Kitaro's lap. He slowly laid the shifter back on the bed as they continued passionately kissing.

When Vanra's growing arousal pressed against him, Kitaro gently stopped the human. "While I am enjoying your attention, this is not the place for such things."

"But I want to be with you," Vanra moaned.

"And I with you but not here."

Vanra hid his face against Kitaro's chest with a groan. "I can't lose you."

The dragon prince wrapped his arms around Vanra. "You will not lose me, Vanra. Not even fate can tear you away from me."

"But it's going to," Vanra protested, "and we can't do a damn thing about it."

"Do not give up hope yet. There is enough vagueness in her words for there to be some room for interpretation."

Vanra snuggled closer to him. "I need you to be right."

"This is not over." Kitaro wasn't ready to admit defeat.

"Mmm."

Silence fell between them again. Kitaro thought Vanra had fallen asleep until he softly asked, "Are we leaving in the morning?"

"Yes." The sooner they returned, the faster Kitaro could speak with his sister to learn what she was now willing to reveal.

"Well, at least we'll get to spend tonight in a bed. It feels like it's been forever since we last slept in ours."

"We will be home and back in our bed soon enough."

Yes, but for how long? Kitaro darkly wondered. It filled him with an impending sense of dread, but he didn't say anything. Instead, he focused on how good it felt to hold Vanra. It was better than worrying about the future he couldn't change now.