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.

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

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

voice rough and unfamiliar. "My

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

CH37

with concern.ould

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

happened?" I rasped, the question tumbling

to me 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

with a jolt of morbid curiosity. But I knew I wasn't strong enough

the bath, love.

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

need anything. He paused, his hand hovering on the doorknob. "I promise, I won't

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

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 myself to relax, the promise of his presence eased the

a welcome caress against the ache in my bones. Leaning back with a sigh, I 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

the door, broke through the fog of my

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took a shaky

so," I replied, my voice hoarse. "Just

you want to talk about it?" His question hung

got back to

I gassed. "1...

"What is it?"

thick with emotion, and a tear escaped, tracing a

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