75. Auslin

Chapter 75

Auslin

D ays turned into weeks, weeks into months, and the entire time was agonizing for Auslin with Kitaro gone at war. It was sheer hell not knowing if he was okay and imagining him fighting for his life. Auslin tried to stay strong for Kitaro's sake, but it grew increasingly difficult the longer he was gone.

Auslin spent most of his time in the library with Kisano and Fersen. They often engaged in conversation, but there were days when Auslin was so worried that they would sit in companionable silence, each lost in their own thoughts or books. Having Kisano, Fersen, and Tyrian for company helped lessen some of Auslin's anxieties, but nothing made up for Kitaro being away at war.

The longer Kitaro was gone, the more Auslin realized how much he was hurting because of the distance between them. There was no way he could ever return to his own time and leave Kitaro in the past, regardless of what Satsuma said. All Auslin wanted was to be Kitaro's mate and stay with him.

Despite Satsuma's assurance they wouldn't be parted, the fear she might be wrong made Auslin physically ill. How could she say that when he didn't know for a fact if Kitaro existed in his time in the future? Why hadn't Kio ever mentioned him? The unknown possibilities made dread churn in the pit of his stomach. Being alone gave him too much time to overthink.

There was little comfort to be found in his bedroom. It was too big, too empty without Kitaro there with him. Auslin couldn't sleep well since he had been left alone. Waking up alone started every day with crushing disappointment, and going to bed by himself was heartbreaking. It led to Auslin developing insomnia as he stayed up later and later the longer Kitaro was gone. Facing the lonely bed was too much for him.

When Auslin felt like he was bothering his friends too much, he started going out to the Fate's Gate Temple, desperate for something comforting. It was still a deeply unsettling feeling to be in such a familiar place that was wildly different, but sometimes it alleviated the pain for a little while. He had even become friendly with a few of the mages, especially the young acolyte named Roltan. He was a little on the klutzy side, but he was kind in a way that reminded Auslin of his younger brother, Sephen.

It had been a little over four months since Tatsuki and his military had set out to begin their war on the griffin shifters of Balsimi for encroaching into the kingdom of Laylan's territory. Then one day, there was a flurry of activity in the castle. It gave Auslin hope that maybe it meant the men were returning from the war front.

Auslin wanted to run out and see if he could find Kitaro the moment he arrived, but he didn't trust himself not to embarrass Kitaro in front of everyone. Instead, Auslin anxiously paced inside his room, praying Kitaro would return to him soon. His heart was overjoyed when he finally felt Kitaro's presence coming closer.

It felt like a painful eternity before the bedroom door slid open and Kitaro entered. Auslin rushed over to him, throwing his arms around Kitaro. "Please tell me you're really home and I'm not hallucinating this!"

Kitaro embraced Auslin even closer. "I have finally returned to your side." He nuzzled against Auslin with a sigh of relief.

Auslin was overjoyed. He smothered Kitaro in kisses, not caring in the least that his desperation was on full display. After dreaming about it every night while the dragon prince was away, it was the best kind of heaven .

"I missed you so much," Auslin said, punctuating each word with a kiss. "Never leave me again."

"Nothing in this Realm is taking me from your side again."

"I don't care what Satsuma says," Auslin told Kitaro. "I want to be your bondmate. My human lifespan would be extended through our souls being linked, so I could be with you forever."

"Are you sure, Vanra? Living such a long life by my side?—"

Auslin interrupted Kitaro with another barrage of kisses. "Living without you these past four months has been absolute torture. I can't imagine not spending the rest of my life with you, regardless of how long or short it may be."

Kitaro's next kiss was more demanding. He gathered Auslin into his arms, then carried him over to the bed. Magic got rid of their clothing, allowing Kitaro free access to reacquaint himself with every inch of the human's body. Kitaro worshipped Auslin with his lips and fingertips, taking his time kissing down Auslin's chest. He toyed with Auslin's nipple using his fangs before repeating the action on the other side.

Auslin got more turned on with every kiss and caress. He moaned freely, his body coming to life under Kitaro's attention. It felt like heaven after four months of pleasuring himself. He arched up with a breathy moan when Kitaro lightly trailed his claws on the underside of his cock. While it was good, Auslin still shamelessly begged, "More, Kitaro. Please !"

Kitaro teased Auslin's cock with his tongue before letting it slide into his mouth. Auslin interlaced his fingers in Kitaro's long, silver hair as he rocked into the oral attention. That became even more challenging when Kitaro used his magic to slick Auslin inside, allowing him to slide in his fingers.

It had been too long since Auslin had enjoyed Kitaro's touch. He came quickly, calling out Kitaro's name, but he was far from satisfied. "Please, I want to feel all of you tonight," Auslin begged. "Make me yours, Kitaro."

Kitaro's dragon pushed to the forefront, filling his eyes with silver. "We would love nothing more than to fill you with our seed," Kitaro's dragon murmured, sending a shudder of lust through Auslin. "But he insists we wait until after the ceremony."

"Ceremony?" Auslin's mind was too clouded by lust to follow his meaning.

"We are a prince, which means we must obey the courtship rules of the aristocracy." Kitaro's dragon stroked Auslin's neck. "We may place our claiming mark on you, but he insists we wait to embrace you fully until it has been sanctioned by the bondmates' ceremony, so that all will recognize it."

It was as touching as it was frustrating. "Then claim me, please !"

Kitaro's dragon kissed his way up Auslin's body until he reached where his neck and left shoulder met. He lavished the spot with teasing licks and kisses, which drove Auslin wild. His erotic whimpers seemed to spur on Kitaro's dragon.

Auslin arched up with a cry when Kitaro's dragon sunk his fangs into his skin. The dragon lapped up the blood before inserting his claws into the small puncture to penetrate Auslin with his magic.

Kitaro's magic moving inside of him made Auslin climax a second time with a soft cry. His skin in that area felt extra sensitive when the dragon withdrew his claws. Watching Kitaro lick them clean after removing them from Auslin's neck was a surprising turn-on.

Auslin's body trembled from the overwhelming sensations he was experiencing. Kitaro's magic hummed just under his skin, making him feel even closer to the dragon shifter.

"Our markings look beautiful on you," Kitaro's dragon murmured.

"What do you mean?"

Kitaro's dragon summoned a mirror. It allowed Auslin to see the shifter's shimmering silver markings were mirrored on his left shoulder and on the side of his neck. He traced the path with his fingers, making the magic spark under his touch. Seeing visible proof of Kitaro's love for him overwhelmed Auslin. "It's beautiful," he said in awe.

The hand mirror disappeared, allowing Kitaro's dragon to lean down to follow the newly formed markings on Auslin's skin with his tongue. Auslin gasped at the sensation, feeling overly sensitive after back-to-back releases. He gently stopped Kitaro's dragon from continuing. The dragon looked smug as he obeyed, but he moved down to lick the cum off Auslin from his second release.

Although Auslin was completely boneless, he took hold of Kitaro's erection. Kitaro's dragon reversed their positions so Auslin was on top. The human reached behind him to hold Kitaro's cock in place. He teasingly ran it between his ass cheeks with a soft moan of need.

"Do not tempt us," Kitaro's dragon warned. "We do not share his desire to stand on principles of ceremony. We would be much happier flipping us over to pound into you until your voice is hoarse from crying out so much."

"But I hate always stopping here," Auslin complained. He ached to feel Kitaro's cock inside of him.

"No more than us, but he is most insistent."

Auslin pouted at being denied yet again. "I know you're right, but that doesn't mean I have to like it." He moved farther back so that he could go down on Kitaro.

Kitaro's dragon rumbled approvingly as Auslin fisted the base of his cock while letting the rest of his length slide into his mouth. The dragon ran his claws over Auslin's new markings, manipulating his magic inside the human. Auslin moaned in surprise at the strange feeling.

It brought on Kitaro's dragon's climax. "Vanra!"

Auslin swallowed the dragon's release, then used the last of his energy to move back up to lie down on Kitaro's chest. "I can still feel you inside me."

Kitaro came back to himself. He kissed Auslin's temple. "Rest now."

"You should be the one resting after all that traveling, not me."

"I will get plenty of rest being your pillow right now." Kitaro rubbed Auslin's back as he held him.

Auslin's response got lost in a sleepy protest.

I n the morning, Auslin studied his reflection in the mirror over the sink in the bathroom. The silver markings on his neck and shoulder that mimicked Kitaro's were a thing of true beauty. Their swirling, intricate design gave Auslin a sense of belonging. Despite what Satsuma had said, he knew his place was by Kitaro's side for the rest of his life. The mark on his skin was further proof of that. Not even fate itself could separate them with such a bond.

Kitaro embraced Auslin from behind, placing a tender kiss on the markings. "I have never seen anything so beautiful."

"I love it. It makes me feel like yours."

"That is because you are mine." Kitaro guided Auslin's head to tilt, allowing them to kiss. "But before we get too lost in each other, I believe it best we get something to eat."

The rest of the family was in the dining hall when they arrived. There was a shift in the air as the other members of Kitaro's family took notice of the markings on his skin that his V-cut shirt failed to hide.

Tatsuki was the first to speak. "We see you received a wonderful welcome home, son." Auslin exhaled the breath he had been holding when there was approval in the dragon king's voice. "Congratulations."

"I offer you fond felicitations as well," Kizoshi said with a smile that helped set Auslin at ease as he sat between her and Kitaro. It made it easier to ignore the death glare Mitsuki was aiming his way.

He braced himself for the fallout from the surly shifter's reaction, but he remained steadfastly silent as he ate. Auslin felt a twinge of guilt that Mitsuki had to wear a black glove to cover his purification burns, but he refused to heal the damage that had been earned through his heinous actions. It was the principle of the matter.

"Do you have nothing to say, Mitsuki?" Tatsuki prompted his eldest son .

Rather than answering, Mitsuki stood up and left without a word.

Kizoshi pouted once the door slammed shut behind him. "Where is the fun in that? I did not get to torture him even a little."

Auslin had to smother a laugh at how put out she sounded at being denied the pleasure of tormenting her oldest brother.

"It is for the best, dear daughter. Let us be grateful that Mitsuki finally seems to have learned to hold his tongue with matters involving Vanra," Tatsuki said. "But this changes our plans a bit."

Auslin's heart rocketed into his throat. Was he talking about plans to mate Kitaro to someone from another kingdom for an alliance?

"In what regard?" Kitaro asked in a neutral tone.

"We intend to have another celebration for our victory in Balsimi. But now we will add plans for your Coming of Heir ceremony. It will also give you the chance to announce your courtship to Vanra."

Kitaro blinked in disbelief. "Coming of Heir ceremony? But Mitsuki is the heir."

"We do not trust in his erratic behavior. You have proven yourself a calm, fearless warrior in battle. We will feel better knowing you have a path to the throne, should Mitsuki falter."

The news didn't seem to make Kitaro happy. "But Mitsuki will take it as a direct threat to his position. "

Tatsuki shrugged. "Then it will act as an excellent incentive to keep him in line. He should never forget that even he is replaceable, especially when you would be the king this country deserves."

Auslin had no love lost for Mitsuki, but even he found Tatsuki's decision harsh. It was almost enough to make him feel bad for the shifter.

"Mitsuki is unfit to sit on the throne," Kizoshi declared with a haughty tilt of her head. It made her look even more aristocratic. "Kitaro is by far the better choice for king."

"While we agree, we do not intend to disinherit Mitsuki, so long as he continues to behave. There is no harm in having Kitaro positioned as second in place to take the throne after Mitsuki. It is only by the grace of the Power that his frequent dalliances have not resulted in a bastard whelp to shame this clan."

Kitaro bowed his head in acknowledgment. "Thank you for the honor, Father. I will do my best to live up to your expectations."

"You have already exceeded them in every way." Tatsuki gave his youngest child a fond look. "We are incredibly proud of you, son. We hope you know that. This will be the perfect occasion to show the people of our country what a fine man you have become and how impressive your intended is."

Kitaro still seemed shell-shocked by the news of the Coming of Heir ceremony, but Auslin was brimming with joy that he was being recognized by his father for all his accomplishments.

Surely, only good things could come of it.