The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

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.

stark contrast to the

feeling?" he asked gently, his thumb brushing away a stray tear

I croaked, my voice rough and unfamiliar.

kit, but for how a

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with concern.ould

the grime and tension of the past few hours or 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 air as he sat down with me in his lap. He began running the water, the sound a comforting symphony in the quiet room. The calming scents grew

happened?" I rasped, the question tumbling out before I

the water. "There's time for explanations later,"

mingled with a jolt of morbid curiosity. But I knew I wasn't strong enough for details just yet. "And the

on the bath,

helped me to the side of the bath tub, his touch surprisingly gentle despite his strength. Then, with a soft kiss on my forehead, he stepped back towards the

be right outside," he said, his voice low. "Just call if you need anything. He paused, his hand hovering on the doorknob. "I promise,

a flicker of warmth amidst the exhaustion. "Thank you, Tsuneo,"

the bathroom door ajar. The sound of his retreating footsteps eased my heart. I slid out of the robe he'd put me in and I managed to get into the tub. As I sank into the warm, welcoming embrace of the bath, I finally allowed

closed my eyes, letting the 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... all of it came

from outside the door, broke through the fog of

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took a shaky

replied, my

you want to talk about it?" His question

I got back to the palace, waking up n the

I gassed. "1...

"What is it?"

was thick with emotion, and a tear escaped, tracing a