The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 37

Chapter 37

CH37

Morgan

Disoriented. That was the first thing that registered. My head throbbed, a dull ache that pulsed in rhythm with my ragged breaths. I didn't dare open my eyes, but the perfume lingering the air was enough to tell me that I was back in the palace. "Tsuneo?"

"I'm here," Tsuneo said softly. I heard him drawing closer. "You're safe now."

His voice was a familiar rumble that sent a wave of relief crashing over me.

He took my hand. A ghost of a smile played on my lips.

"I... never thought I'd be happy to be back in this room..." I whispered.

He squeezed my hand, chuckling lightly.

"Neither did I," he admitted.

A dark thought flitted across my mind. I hadn't realized how close I'd come to dying in this realm. I'd been a fool to think that the Trial was going to be the end of my trials in the dragon realm. The urge to run back to the human realm and never came back welled up, but for now, I pushed it down.

"It's alright," he whispered, wiping the tears I hadn't realized I was crying. "You're safe now."

I reached for him, shivering. I was so cold all of sudden. He wrapped his me.

arms around

I burrowed deeper into his embrace, the warmth of his body a soothing balm against the lingering chill of fear. My eyelids fluttered open, the world blurry at first, then slowly coming into focus.

opulent surroundings a stark contrast to the dank cavern I last remembered. His worried

his thumb brushing away a stray tear that traced a path

croaked, my voice

sure. Maya's gone to get a medical kit, but for how

CH37

with concern.ould

days was infinitely appealing. With a weak nod, I surrendered to his care. He lifted me with ease, cradling me against his broad chest as he carried me towards the bathroom. The scent of lavender and something citrusy - perhaps lemons? - filled the

the question tumbling out before I could stop

as he adjusted the temperature of the water. "There's time for explanations later," he said finally. "Right now, I want you to focus on healing. Keiji... is

washed over me, mingled with a jolt of morbid curiosity. But I knew

"Focus on the

side of the bath tub, his touch surprisingly gentle despite his strength. Then,

"Just call if you need anything. He paused, his

cheeks, a flicker of warmth amidst the exhaustion. "Thank you, Tsuneo," I murmured, a small smile

me in and I managed to get into the tub. As I sank into the warm,

scent relax me further, A shiver, more emotional than physical, ran through me as the events of the night flooded back. The desperation, the fear, the terror of realizing I couldn't get Keiji off me...

Tsuneo's voice, a gentle murmur from outside the door, broke through the fog

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a

think so," I replied, my voice hoarse.

His question hung in the air, an

speak. I recounted the events of the night the ambush when I got back to the palace, waking up n the caves, the

I gassed. "1...

"What is it?"

voice was thick with emotion, and a tear escaped, tracing a warm path down my

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