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.

to the

he asked gently, his thumb brushing away a stray tear that traced a path

croaked, my voice

a medical kit, but for how a bath might help," he

CH37

concern.ould

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

rasped, the question tumbling out before I could

as he adjusted the temperature of the water. "There's time for explanations later," he said finally.

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

on the bath,

me to the side of the bath tub, his touch surprisingly gentle

call if you need anything. He paused, his hand hovering on the doorknob.

up my cheeks, a flicker of warmth amidst the exhaustion. "Thank you, Tsuneo," I murmured, a small smile tugging at the corners

footsteps eased my heart. I slid out of the robe he'd put me in and I

than physical, ran through

outside the door, broke through the fog of my

CH37

took a shaky

replied, my voice hoarse.

to talk about it?" His question hung in the

I recounted the events of the night the ambush when I got back

I gassed. "1...

"What is it?"

was thick with emotion, and a tear

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