The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 52

CH52

Morgan

I woke up not necessarily remembering how I went to sleep, but knowing that I was safe, warm, and comfortable. The morning light, pale and tentative, filtered through the gaps in the curtains, painting delicate stripes of gold across Tsuneo's face. He was still asleep, his chest rising and falling with each slow, steady breath. The darkness that had tainted his skin had faded quite a lot, leaving behind about him, let alone all the human women we'd run into who had such an interest in him.

an olive, almost golden skin tone. Like this, it was no wonder that Ari was crazy

A strand of his hair tickled my cheek, and I reached up instinctively to brush it away. That simple touch seemed to rouse him. His eyes fluttered open, a slow smile spreading across his face as they met mine. For a moment, we just lay there, lost in the quiet intimacy of the morning. My stomach jolted but it was nice comfortable. It wasn't anything that I ever expected to have for myself.

Then, a playful glint sparked in his eyes. "Good morning, sleepyhead," he rumbled, his voice thick with sleep.

"Good morning," I replied, a smile tugging at my lips. "It's time I got up."

I made a move to disentangle myself from the sheets, but Tsuneo tightened his grip around me playfully.

"Oh no, you don't," he teased. "Not without a proper goodbye."

Before I could protest, he rolled us both over, pinning me beneath him. He kept his weight off me so that he was just barely pinning me to the bed. It was enough to keep me from moving and wiggling away. We stared at each other for a beat, laughter bubbling up in my chest. Heat pulled in my gut. Getting caught up in Tsuneo's passion was dangerous if I let myself be swept away in it. Sometimes I could see the dragon in him peeking out. I saw just a flicker of fire in his eyes. I didn't know what the plan was, but I tried to laugh it off. "This isn't fair!" I exclaimed, feigning indignation. Two against one isn't exactly a fair fight."

"Two? Where in all of the realms do you get that there is two of me?"

I think you are at least two of me. Never mind your dragon."

He chuckled. "Perhaps in stature, but my dragon and I are one." He leaned closer and whispered in my ear. "And we agree on everything."

"T-Tsuneo..." I shifted, and he growled at me, sending my heart racing.

CH52

in this world. You smell divine. We want you, and love isn't fair," he said, his voice laced

to take that the way it sounded like? Or

1?' He leaned down, his lips

started tickling my neck with his breath. He went still. Then he did it again, and

grinning. The Heat was still there, but there was more amusement

wife is

a side of Tsuneo I hadn't seen before playful, teasing, completely

That ticklish, uncomfortable feeling, raced. through me and I couldn't stop

cried, squirming beneath him. Tears welled up in my eyes, not from pain, but from the sheer joy

big and enjoying this far too much

before you try to get out

Just

pulling back slightly. I was breathless, my cheeks flushed,

voice still tinged with amusement. "I think this is the first time I've ever seen you without that shadow in

my arms around

"I don't believe

you have the potential to be this sort of

CH52

"There's more to me than just scales and fangs, you know. You'll learn all of me. I think you'll enjoy it

I replied, catching my breath. "You're a menace," I added playfully, swatting him

the arm.

on

clutching his arm dramatically. "A menace, am

was nice after everything that had happened to have this unexpected moment of lightheartedness. Finally, out of breath and completely disheveled, we collapsed back onto the

whispered, surprising

me, his expression unreadable for a moment. Then, a slow smile

for..." My voice trailed off, unsure of how to express the jumble of emotions swirling within me. I thought of Keiji and his accomplices. I thought of my brother, my family, and everything that had