The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 30

CH30

Tsuneo

The silence stretched for a moment. What was the plan? Morgan started to wrap my shoulder with bandages. Her gaze met mine.

"Let's get you settled back in."

Morgan nodded, her expression unreadable. Without a word, she helped me back onto the luxurious bedsheets, the cool silk a welcome contrast against my heated skin. The lingering warmth of her touch on my arm sent a fresh jolt through me, a bittersweet reminder of the interrupted moment.

As I sank back against the pillows, she began putting away the medical supplies, her movements brisk and efficient. Once finished, she knelt beside the bed and, with surprising ease, shoved the

medical kit under the ornately carved frame.

With a flick of my wrist, a wave of shimmering energy pulsed through the room. The pool of blood vanished. It vanished from my robe and hands. The robe mended itself.

"That was impressive."

I smiled.

"Think you can manage to play dead long enough?

I nodded and settled into my usual position. Before I closed my eyes, she slipped out of the pink robe, leaving just the thin, see-through middle layer and her slip. I shut my eyes, trying to block the image out of my mind, and push down my jealousy at the thought that he would see her like that. She ran a hand through her short hair, but her diadem remained in place as she opened the door.

"What do you want?" She asked. "And how dare you just barge into his room. Have you no respect?"

"You..." His voice turned sleazy. "What took so long?"

"What does it look like?" She asked. "I'm exhausted because I actually do work. If you want to take his spot, shouldn't you be working on taking on some of his duties?"

"There's at least one duty I'd like..."

CH30

you were the only option

door. She followed him to

you're an intruder:

washed over me as the sound of Keiji's retreating footsteps faded away. With a sigh, I cracked open one eye to see Morgan standing by the massive oak door. The sound of her footsteps returned. My other eye remained closed, but a sly smile played on my lips. Morgan, it seemed, was growing fiercer by the moment. The door closed, and I felt her barrier

sorry. That was my

mumbled, unable to contain my amusement. "Nice

chuckle escaped her lips. Then, I opened my eyes, and the heat in my veins turned boiling. She didn't reach for her

at my lips. Before I could

going to wash up. Then, I'll be out there. Did you get a

I nodded.

I'm starving.

mix of desire and adrenaline. I was dead tired and turned on. It was hell. I lay back, blinking up at the ceiling. As I lay there, the throbbing pain in my shoulder, a dull ache compared

Her outer robe lay discarded on the floor. I bent down and picked it up, burying my nose in it on impulse. I growled, wanting to barge into the bathroom, but

started to grow to more than a dull ache, I headed back to bed. Part of me was thrilled - she was here, with me, in a state of undress that spoke of a newfound closeness. But another part, a

CH30

alone,

my voice

the bathroom. I could tell she had only dropped the see-through robe.

"Yes?"

-

single word encompassing a maelstrom of emotions possessiveness, jealousy, and a desperate need to claim her completely. But something held me back: a respect for her and a fear of smothering the fragile connection we were building.

her lips.

amusement.

my own lips. Despite the seriousness of

robe. She sat beside me, and suddenly, she gasped. My gaze darted to her hands, where a thin red line marred the pale skin on her wrist. The sight sent a jolt of concern through me. "What happened?" I

a nonchalant wave of her hand. "Just a

seemed too deliberate, too clean-cut to be a mere sewing. mishap. Rising on my elbow, I ignored the protest

voice firm

held her hand gently. A warmth bloomed in my chest as I started to treat her hand. "You should be more careful," I chided her gently, my gaze lingering on the