The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 18

CH18 Tsuneo

The minutes stretched into an eternity after Morgan left. My room had never felt like so much of a prison as it did right now. I used my connection to the palace to watch Morgan leave, but sustaining that connection was exhausting. I hated it. I hated that I was trapped here for want of proof of who was behind the assassination attempt, let alone my mother's death.

The thought of Morgan facing the snakes of the palace alone or returning to the human realm alone didn't sit well with me. She was just a human: fragile and young. If something were to happen to her, the dragon in me would burn this world to the ground-palace and all. I smiled, shaking my head. All the warnings from my father about what it meant to have a queen, for the dragon in you to claim someone as your own, had not prepared me for this. I knew so little about her, but what I knew was already captivating me.

I went to my closet and pulled out the chest hidden there. I locked the main door and put up my barrier to ensure no one would just come in. I opened the chest. My hand drifted unconsciously to the ornately carved tablet on top. It was a potential gift, a useful one more than sentimental. She'd want access to the library without hauling all the books around, but I passed over it.

It wasn't an appropriate gift for a woman I had only met the night of our marriage, a woman I still had to court into at least having some affection for me. I suppose I'd have to see how hard that would be after she had dinner with my family.

Lost in thought, I almost didn't hear the soft click of the door opening. My head snapped up, and I watched her come in. The greeting died in my throat as I looked at her. She came in as a whirlwind of skittish energy, her eyes wide and wary. She sheathed her sword only after the door was locked behind her and the barrier was raised. Exhaustion clung to her like a shroud, etched in the lines around her eyes and the slump of her shoulders.

My heart clenched with a sudden surge of protectiveness.

"Morgan," I said, my voice softer than I intended. "What happened? Are you alright?"

She flinched at the sound of my voice, a flicker of fear crossing her features before she schooled her expression into a mask of composure.

"I'm fine," she muttered, her voice barely a whisper. "Just...tired."

There was more to it, I could tell. But before I could press her, she sank down onto the chaise lounge, her eyes fluttering closed for a brief moment.

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22:01 Tue, Oct CH18

I crossed the room, eyeing her and taking in her scent. The air around Morgan swirled with a bunch of scents, and her mind was chaotic with anxiety-fear, maybe. Sweat, dust, the faint tang of something else: the human realm. But beneath it all, a more familiar, unwelcome scent prickled my nostrils.

It was Keiji's scent and blood. My hand shot out, surprising her into a scream. Her hand was on her sword's hilt, and she'd drawn seconds later, aiming the tip at me. Her eyes were wide with fear. I held still as her panic started to clear. Then, I dropped my gaze to her wrist, turning it over to examine the pale skin beneath the sleeve of the robe she wore. There, marring the smooth surface, was a faint purple bruise. I leaned down and hissed, getting Keiji's scent from her skin. He'd touched her. Marked her. Bruised her. A surge of anger, hot and primal, roared through me.

"What happened?" I demanded, my voice hard with barely contained fury.

voice. She trembled. I bit my lip and

what happened,

her head. "It's

on her wrist meaningfully, and 1

far from nothing.

et free.

her jaw and yanked

I have to get ready for dinner with the king.

her eyes mirrored the one flickering in my chest. I wouldn't be dismissed so easily. "That is a while yet," I growled, refusing to back down. "Tell me what

exasperation swirling in her gaze. "Keiji... made a move.

jaw clenched. "A

yanked me, and freaked

thoughts and

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CH18

gaze, taking her

to me, Morgan," I said gently. "No matter

she didn't pull away. I cast a gentle spell over her wrist until the bruises vanished. She gasped. I could see the flush spreading down her cheeks and the

way

her

eyes

and she gasped, jolting back at the action.

"How was your trip?"

pretty clear that he is certain you

else is

chuckled. "You

list was far from short. There were ambitious nobles, power-hungry advisors, concubines, anyone who had a grudge against my father or mother, and even distant relatives who coveted the throne. The viper's nest of court politics was

sent a fresh wave of protectiveness crashing over me. I could not

information.