The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 5

CH5

Tsuneo

I waited until the doors were shut, and I could no longer hear her thoughts. Only then did I open my eyes. Morning had painted the realm's sky a shimmering blue behind the jade and gold and cast pale light over the land. I sat up, setting my jaw. I hadn't slept at all, but I felt more rested than I had in years. I looked over at where the woman had slept, my ill-gotten wife, and I smirked.

Last night had stirred more emotions in me than I had ever anticipated. I was intrigued, amused, and utterly... fascinated by her. I almost wished I had asked her name. There was no denying that she'd come from the human realm. The scent of their forests and mountains and pain lingered on her. She'd faced the Trial. I could still smell burning flesh in her short hair. She'd been terrified, but her thoughts had been logical, precise, and defiant. If I had had the strength, I would have delved deeper than just the surface, but I had a feeling I wouldn't have found much different.

Her defiance, her cool-headedness, and her wit were charming. I was used to people bowing and. scraping, used to people not hiding their thoughts when they entered my room. I'd seen inside many people, yet I had never felt a mind like hers.

I had never met a human like her, either. My kind and the beings of my realm were all familiar to me, slotting into the pecking order of our world. They lived so long that they were often bored on the inside. The last humans I'd encountered had been like glass containing a low-burning fire. Their thoughts were quick, shallow, and base.

My wife's mind felt more like lightning and hurricanes over a vast sea. It was odd. A mystery I would have plenty of time to solve. I rubbed my fingertips against my palm. I could feel the phantom warmth of her face beneath my hand. My whole body seemed all too aware of everywhere we'd touched last night. The softness of her body beneath mine had made my head spin and set a strange, yearning ache in me. Her closeness had been a blessing and torture all night.

I set my jaw, remembering the last thought she'd had before she'd gone to sleep. Who was Ren? A man, I presumed. A lover, most likely. She was well of age, as far as I could tell, and too beautiful not to have been courted in the human realm. A jolt of unfamiliar possessiveness, a primal growl deep within my chest, surprised me. I'd have to find out who this Ren was and deal with her thoughts of him sooner rather than later.

Dragons were possessive creatures. We didn't share.

The silence of the room was shattered by the tell-tale footsteps coming toward my room. It was Doctor Shang. He was alone. He entered quickly and shut the door behind him before locking it.

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CHS

His eyes fell on me, full of concern. I smirked at his formal attire.

The Elders must

stilly. "Yes. They wanted my... opinion

"Is there a reason you are so worried?

laughed. "She is

grimaced. "She's a human woman with no reason to...abide by the rules

wife or because she's

"Both."

throat. It wasn't

am alive and well. Just

a brow raised. "Explain

me with a burning passion, and obediently stay as far away from me as possible. If she'd had the energy,

Though we have gained quite

I'm sure it will be everything you want and

to him so he could check me over. He murmured to himself, but I knew what

since yesterday." He glanced at me. "I assume that is

"Yes."

think she's

but perhaps a descendant." I shrugged. "Though, I need you to look into something. Father

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CH5 right?"

He nodded.

bring the records here. I want to know who this Ren she was thinking of is... and if you could be in the room when

in surprise. "You revealed the truth to her? But Tsuneo, we're so close to narrowing

could understand half of what we discuss anyway.