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 dank cavern I

away a stray tear that traced a

voice rough and

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

CH37

with concern.ould you

me towards the bathroom. The scent of lavender and something citrusy -

I rasped, the question tumbling out before I could

me as he adjusted the temperature of the water. "There's time for explanations later," he said finally. "Right now, I want

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

the bath,

bath tub, his touch surprisingly gentle despite

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

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

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

shiver, more emotional than physical, ran through me as the events of

from outside the door, broke through the fog of my thoughts.

CH37

took a

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

to talk about it?" His question hung in the air,

to speak. I recounted the events of the night the ambush when I got back to the palace, waking up n the caves, the Elders, Keiji's monstrous transformation, the

I gassed. "1...

"What is it?"

and a tear escaped, tracing a warm

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255