9. Kitaro

Chapter 9

Kitaro

" W hy do you cry?" Kitaro asked, brushing a tear from Vanra's cheek as it fell.

"Because you're so nice," Vanra whispered.

His answer did little to clarify things for the shifter prince. "Why would me being nice bring tears to your eyes?"

"You're nothing like I'm used to." Vanra sniffled as another tear dropped, brushed away by Kitaro's thumb.

Kitaro didn't like what that comment implied. "Your companion is not nice to you?"

Vanra's laugh came out as a choked sob. "Not like this."

His heart broke for the human. "Then I am truly sorry he takes after my father's side of the clan. "

"It's okay. I'm used to it." Vanra shrugged as if it wasn't a problem, but it clearly bothered him.

"There are some things you should never grow accustomed to, and that is one of them."

Vanra looked away in shame. "I know it's early, but could I go to bed now? It's been an exhausting day."

"Of course." Kitaro gestured at his enormous bed. "Please make yourself comfortable."

Vanra hesitated. "Are we really going to share?"

"I see no reason not to. It is certainly large enough for multiple people."

There seemed to be something Vanra wanted to say, but he remained silent. "Which side should I sleep on?"

"Whichever you prefer. I have no preference."

Vanra crawled under the sheets on the right side to settle in for the night.

"Sleep well, Vanra." Kitaro lowered the fire lamps with his magic to make it darker for the human's comfort. He then made his way to the left of the bed.

"You don't have to go to bed because I am," Vanra said.

"It is no trouble." He listened to Vanra's breathing even out as he quickly dropped off to sleep.

It was strange having company in bed, but Kitaro found he quite enjoyed the feeling of another warm body near his. In fact, it was a pity he could not cradle Vanra against him once more. He regretted he had not been able to enjoy holding Vanra in the cave for longer before the human scuttled away in terror.

Vanra's reaction baffled the dragon shifter. He had not feared him as a giant dragon but had seemed downright terrified of him in his male form until he found out Kitaro's name. Why was that? What reason would Vanra have to fear him for any reason?

The human's quick-fire emotion changes fascinated him. But his heart still hurt that Vanra had been moved to tears because he was so unaccustomed to kindness. It made Kitaro wonder what kind of man Vanra's companion was. How could he treat Vanra with anything less than kindness and devotion? He had so many questions, but it felt too rude to bring them up when Vanra had been through so much already. Kitaro could wait a little longer to find his answers.

He turned on his side and watched Vanra sleep. Because of his father's disdain for them, Kitaro had always assumed humans to be foul creatures, but Vanra was anything but. After his bath, he smelled positively divine. It made Kitaro want to bury his nose in the crook of Vanra's neck and breathe in deep. It was such a strange impulse. He had never experienced such an urge, but it was powerful with Vanra. So was the desire to embrace him and keep him safe from harm, especially from his undeserving companion, who seemed to bring Vanra only sorrows .

Kitaro resolved to do whatever was necessary to take care of his ward. He couldn't make up for the pain Vanra's companion caused, but he could do his best to combat it by treating the human the way he deserved to be spoiled.