The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 54

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Morgan

Relief washed over me, momentarily pushing aside the flurry of emotions Tsuneo's words and gaze had evoked. Thank goodness for Maya's timely interruption. The intimacy of the moment had escalated quickly, and I wasn't sure I was entirely ready for where it might have led.

"Thank you, Maya," I called back, projecting my voice through the outer chamber door. My voice was slightly breathless. "I'll get ready quickly."

I glanced at Tsuneo, a hint of apology in my eyes. His expression was unreadable, but a flicker of something akin to disappointment crossed his features.

"Of course," Maya replied.

Taking a deep breath, I rose from the bed, smoothing out the wrinkles in my robe. The playful fight from earlier seemed a lifetime ago, overshadowed by the unexpected turn of events.

"It seems like... the day has to start."

Tsuneo's lips twitched. "It seems like."

"Shall we?" I asked Tsuneo, offering him my hand.

He took it, his touch sending a familiar warmth through me.

"We shall," he replied, his voice low and enigmatic Tsuneo

lips. Her scent a

another hour. Maybe not completely, but certainly more than I had to date. Part of me knew that Maya was going to enjoy this I opened the door and welcomed Maya in, ignoring the way Ari was still screaming and fighting the barrier Morgan had erected far enough from the captain that he wouldn't have to

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a relief nonetheless. Morgan wasn't ready, not yet. The thought sent a pang of disappointment through me, a physical ache that surprised me with its intensity. I looked back at Morgan, finding her eyes apologetic. She seemed to be breathless. Was I breathless too? The question hung unanswered as I took

laced with a possessiveness that surprised even me. Morgan leaned in, surprising me with a soft kiss on the cheek. The touch, fleeting though it was,

voice barely a whisper. We should find a time

with her, away from prying eyes and pressing duties,

rumbled, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. "After

radiant sunrise that chased away

breathed, and then

joining her in the cool sanctuary of the bathroom, sparked a delicious heat in my core. But one

peace?" I grumbled, more to myself than to Maya. "We're supposed to be

the palace was going to be happy until I took Morgan far, far away from them.

chuckled, the sound light

will be here before you know it, and then you'll have

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around us. I went to get dressed and by the time I was done, the bathroom door creaked open, and Morgan emerged, a vision in emerald. The robe, one of my own that I had never worn, pooled around her

voice thick with something I

it okay?" she offered, a playful smile dancing

mirroring the blush that crept up hers under my intense gaze. "And anything of mine is

her, and tangle my fingers in her curls. I licked my lips. She jumped. I supposed I made a sound. Quickly, I tore my eyes away, clearing my throat roughly. "We should probably get going. Just

moment."