The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 31

CH31

Morgan

Sunlight streamed through the windows, sending a golden beam dancing across the ornately carved bed frame. I stretched languidly, the luxurious silk sheets cool against my bare skin. A moment later, I froze, feeling the heat of Tsuneo's body beside me.

My gaze drifted to the other side of the massive four-poster bed. Tsuneo lay sprawled amongst the pillows, his chest rising and falling with the rhythm of deep sleep. A shock of dark looked hair fanned out across the silk, and the faintest hint of a smile played on his lips. He... peaceful. Unburdened by the weight of his worries.

A tenderness bloomed in my chest, and a nervous flutter filled my stomach. Never in a million years would I have imagined myself waking up tangled in the sheets with a dragon. prince, especially not after how I'd got here.

The corner of my mouth lifted in a reluctant smile. There was no denying the undeniable change that was happening between us. He wasn't wary of me and I was seeming more of the man Tsuneo really was. He was charismatic, charming, too. Had things been different, there was a good chance. that we'd already...

My face burned at the though. I shook my head, but I heard his voice from the night before, pleading with me to stay. The longing and possessiveness that had flared in his voice when he'd told me not to let anyone see me less than dress again... it all sent a shiver of excitement down my spine.

But a niggling voice of reason whispered a caution in the back of my mind. This was Tsuneo, the crown prince of a hidden dragon kingdom. And his family had murdered hundreds if not thousands of human women before me. His life was a tangled web of politics and duty. And then there was the assassination attempt that still hadn't been solved. The Veil. His mother, and everything else that felt like a dark cloud hanging over the realms.

Just as I was about to untangle myself from the sheets, a deep rumble echoed from beside me. Tsuneo stirred, his eyes fluttering open. For a moment, he seemed disoriented, then recognition dawned, and a lazy smile spread across his face.

"Morgan," he murmured, his voice husky with sleep. "You're still here."

There was a hint of vulnerability in his voice that tugged at my heartstrings. No one had ever been so happy to see me first thing in the morning before.

"Good morning, Sleeping Beauty, I teased, my voice softer than intended.

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A chuckle rumbled in his chest. "Seems I owe you a debt of gratitude," he said, his gaze locking with mine. "For dealing with Keiji and for... well, for staying."

a warm pink. "Don't worry about it," I mumbled,

between us, thick with unspoken emotions. I cleared

"I should get going-"

his hand gently cupping my cheek. His touch sent a jolt through me, a welcome

his voice low and husky. Just a

sincerity in his eyes was undeniable. Hesitation warred with a surprising desire to simply stay curled up beside him, to

too long. They'll probably be sending someone to get

next few minutes in comfortable silence, simply enjoying each other's presence. The weight of the previous night's events seemed to fade away, replaced

a knock on the door

voice came through

Are you

sigh, I untangled myself from the sheets, a blush creeping up my neck. Tsuneo, to his credit, didn't try to prolong the inevitable. He helped me sit up,

promised, a warmth blooming in my chest. "I need to check on my brother and

tugged at the corner of his lips. "Of course, he said. "And

the air, laced with a hint of possessiveness that sent another jolt through me. "Yes?" I

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a playful glint in his eyes. "Try not to cause too much

promises," I countered with a grin, feeling a strange lightness in my

chuckled. "I want to

pulling on another robe and

"Good Morning!"

"Let's get the

before me, sunlight streaming through windows. But my mind was elsewhere, replaying the scene from moments ago - the warmth of Tsuneo's touch, the vulnerability