The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 38

CH38 Morgan

He carried me out of the bathroom and into the familiar comfort of his bedroom. Laying me down on the plush bed, he disappeared for a moment, returning with a soft silk robe. "Here," he said, his voice gruff, "put this on."

I struggled to sit up, the exhaustion a heavy weight in my limbs. He helped me slip into the robe, the silky fabric a soothing caress against my raw skin. With a final, reassuring squeeze to my hand, he stepped back towards the door. "I'll wait outside until you're dressed," he said, his voice barely a whisper. "Just call if you need anything.

Relief flooded me. Despite the awkwardness of the situation, I was grateful for his understanding. Taking a shaky breath, I fumbled with the robe, tying the sash with clumsy fingers. A shiver ran down my spine despite the warmth of the room. The vulnerability of the situation, combined with the lingering fear, left me feeling exposed. the bruising was already starting to change colors and spread. It all ached. I was pretty sure I hadn't broken anything.

Taking a deep breath, I called out, my voice hoarse, I'm ready, Tsuneo."

The door creaked open a sliver, and Tsuneo peeked in, his eyes searching mine. He held a large towel in his hand, and relief washed over me. He wasn't looking for anything more than to help, and he looked like he'd rinsed off the blood on him and ditched the bloody robe. I hadn't even noticed before.

With a curt nod, he entered the room. He moved with practiced efficiency, gently drying my hair with the soft towel. The simple act, the warmth radiating from his body so close to mine, sent a wave of warmth through me. Shame threatened to resurface, but I pushed it down. This wasn't the time.

When my hair was dry, a knock sounded on the door. He went to get it and came back with medical supplies, food, and Maya. He left Maya to check my injuries. Maya wrapped my ribs and helped me crawl back under the covers, the cool sheets a welcome contrast to the heat of the bath.

I'm glad you're safe," she said with a smile. She left and Tsuneo came back. He settled himself beside me, sitting on the bed, pulling the comforter up over me.

"Think you can eat a bit?"

I tried for a bit of bread, but I couldn't get through much.

CH38

"Rest," he murmured, brushing his thumb across her cheek. "You have much to recover from."

I closed my eyes again, a sigh escaping my lips. But before I could fully drift off, I saw Keiji's face. 1 opened my face.

you stay

He smiled and nodded.

His arm came around my waist, pulling me close, his warmth a

murmured, his voice a soothing rumble in

to them, he spoke again. "Rest

to you.

I drifted off to sleep, nestled safely in his arms, the fear

Tsuneo

easily. The ramifications of his demise, the political fallout from the deaths of so many Elders, stretched before me like a treacherous path. Sleep, even for a moment,

the fear etched onto her beautiful face even in slumber. Gently, I brushed a stray strand of hair from her

heady mix of lavender and fear. The fear, raw and primal, was a stark contrast to the arousal I might have felt under different circumstances. Tonight,

lullaby my mother used to sing to me, stroked her hair in a slow, rhythmic pattern. The melody seemed to seep into the very fabric of the

10:08 Wed, Oct 16

CH38

The sound, unexpected

palace singing the lullaby... as if my

like a shroud seemed to dissipate

fluttered open, and I watched, mesmerized, as she blinked sleepily at the light. The vulnerability etched on

cheeks as she realized the closeness, and she began to pull away, the movement tentative, almost shy. But before she could fully

of her arm.

a luminous echo of the relief that flooded me at her safety. The trauma of the morning seemed to echo and hum around us. The

I hesitated waiting for her to recoil, to withdraw. A flicker of doubt crossed my mind. Was I moving too fast? Was I taking advantage of her vulnerability? It felt likely, but I couldn't pull myself away. I stayed just where I was, searching her face for some sign of a rejection, but she didn't flinch or pull back. Her eyes darted down to my lips and darkened as her gaze met mine again. The dam seemed to break. I closed the remaining

King's Substitute

named queen, Lady Ari."

"All in good time."