The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 23

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Tsuneo

The reports were all over the place, but they were useful. Knowing what the staff was gossiping about and exactly what they said was useful, but I didn't care about it. My mind was focused on what could be happening at dinner right now.

Based on the hour, they definitely started the Empty and Harmonious Cups ceremony. I wondered what kind of questions he would ask. My father had always had a strange sense of humor, but he seemed positively gleeful at imagining the questions he would ask and the debates he would engage in with my future wife. I wish more than anything I had the strength to use my connection to the palace to listen in, but perhaps he would just have her play again when it was revealed that I was awake.

My mind conjured the image of Morgan and the way she'd looked dressed in my crimson silk robe. She was so beautiful. My cock stirred, and I let my head fall back against the headboard with a soft groan.

It had been years since I'd enjoyed the touch of a woman. I honestly wasn't sure how much longer I could manage. It was easier when she wasn't here, and I didn't have time to think about

1. it. Having Ari sneak into my room so often and be absolutely creepy about it really dulled my libido. Now, it was roaring to life.

The door creaked open. I went still. She closed it, and I felt her barrier go up. Then, she stumbled into sight of the doorway, revealing a sight that sent a jolt through me. Morgan, her face flushed. and a mischievous glint in her normally serious eyes, stood swaying slightly in the doorway. My robe slipped halfway off her shoulder, revealing the slightly sheer black layer beneath the outer

robe.

"Yourdad's a jerk." she pouted. "And I'm pretty sure the red-eyed lady is evil. Is that Keiji's

mom?" 2

"Yes... I'm impressed that you managed to walk all the way here."

hands. "Maya helped me! And you should see your

cocked an eyebrow at her. "You managed to keep up with my

the gold cord, and let it drop to the floor. I gulped as the sheer black layer fell off, and she stood

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locking it shut with a soft sigh. My heart started racing, and when she got to the end of the bed, she hauled herself over the footboard. The strap of her slip slipped down her shoulder, revealing more of her breasts than

shimmering barrier pulsed around the room, effectively blocking any prying eyes or ears. Her laughter echoed in the now soundproof chamber as she flopped down onto the plush covers. A seductive glint entered her eyes

do you say, Your

the invitation in her voice. But as I leaned in, a different sensation registered -- a shiver, a barely audible

burying her face in my chest. "You're

an odd reaction to the wine used for the ceremony, but she

not how I imagined getting her this close to me in bed: being used as a giant pillow. The situation was torturous yet somehow...endearing. I held her close, the weight of my investigation. forgotten. Tonight, it seemed, all I could offer was warmth in the face of her

her unexpected chill, flared across every point of contact. Desire, raw and primal, pulsed through my veins. I tried to push it down as her scent filled my nose. A low, rumbling growl rattled through

feet seeking warmth against mine. A shiver rippled through me, not from the temperature but from the conflicting emotions churning within me a potent mix of arousal and

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I set the

or on the bedside table and settled into

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into a peaceful rhythm. I was starting to doze off when I heard a choked sob from her. I opened my eyes. Her body tensed, and she whimpered in her sleep, tears

thick with