The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 8

CH8

Morgan

Ael walked on the outside of the street like an escort. Soon, we reached a seemingly ordinary house on the outskirts of town. We entered, and I found the inside was carved with dark stone, like a replica of the palace. ""It's lovely."

He offered to take the wet clothes from me and got me a change of clean, dry clothing. After bathing and changing. I followed him into a large room filled with scrolls. The scent in the air reminded me of the palace. "I can only guess that you are eager to return home and deal with your family's situation, but could I ask that you return to the palace if only to let them know that you are fine? Your... escape caused quite the uproar." I frowned and stopped in the middle of the hallway.

"You say you're trapped on this side, yet you seem to know a lot about what happened today."

Ael smiled back at me and gestured ahead.

"We are trapped, but we have ways to communicate across the veil. I'll show you."

I followed him around the corner to a smaller room where a large crystal mirror stood against the wall. He approached it, and the surface changed. It started to glow like the gateway in the cave.

I could see people rushing through the foyer. The old man was fuming, and several people were gathered in front of the gateway through which I had escaped.

"We have to recover her! Send a message to those on the other side. Doctor Shang, what about my

son?"

I narrowed in on the man called Doctor Shang.

That was it. I needed to open the veil, but if I wanted Hiro to wake up, I needed to speak to him.

"Once upon a time, they were gateways."

I glanced at him. He placed his hand against the surface, and it was solid. I hesitated and stuck my

hand out, hoping it worked because who the hell wanted to hike back to thetains? The

CH8

surface shimmered, but I passed my hand through it until I could feel the tingling air of the other realm on my skin.

1 yanked my hand back and turned to look at Ael. His eyes were glossy with tears. Someone let out a soft sob behind me, and I turned. I recognized the woman from the Trial, too.

is an honor to meet you.

at her words, but I nodded

"That man,

who is

of his father. He and the

together."

likely knew that Crown Prince Fake Sleeper was awake. I looked back at the mirror, listening to him tell the old man that his son was still asleep. The old man looked down, his shoulders slumped, and the man beside him, the younger one who

"Who is that man?"

his voice stiff. "He's been vying for the crown prince's position since

fell comatose."

I glanced at the old man, then at the old men who were in procession around him. It was either Keiji or one of the Elders who was interested in keeping Fake

the hole. I would have been happy to let them fall to ruin, but I could hear my dad from so many years ago telling me that the Ryuyama legacy had withstood far darker times than now. He'd turn over in his grave

try to

get lost in research," I said. "Could you take me home? I'd like to speak

gone before I could stop her. I

any chance this whole queen

2/4

CHS

"Ms. Ryuyama... you will be able to open the veil and keep it open

once everyone who has been

"You misunderstand. There is no way to shed the position of queen except

in a coma, and

his head. "The crown prince was not formally coronated. That much is true, but his father is only acting as regent. He was chosen. His scales turned black and have remained so as far as the

"He's been in a

would have to

me that the Trial would

"I am sorry, but-"

hissed. "I understand you're just a vassal to this nonsense,

breath.

My eyes widened. "What?"

had gone through the Trial and had not died. She was not human, and there has never been a human in the position before." He met my gaze. "It wasn't until her murder that the Trial turned to fatal."

"No one knows why?"

in the queen's journals, but no one

is ready for