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

my gaze locked on Morgan's flushed cheeks and parted lips. Her scent a heady mix of florals and something uniquely hers

couldn't explain or ignore. Did we really have to start the day right now? Part of me knew that if Maya hadn't interrupted, I could have had Morgan beneath me for at least 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

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yet. The thought sent a pang of disappointment through me, a

me. Morgan leaned in, surprising me with a soft kiss on the cheek. The touch, fleeting though it

should find a time to see each other today,

away from prying eyes

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

a radiant sunrise that chased away

she breathed, and then she was gone, disappearing

the bathroom, sparked a delicious heat in my

than to Maya. "We're supposed to be enjoying our honeymoon,

away from them. The retreat

the sound light

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

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hung in the air, suggestive and laced with amusement. She giggled into her hand. I scowled at her, but a grudging smile tugged at the corner of my lips. She was right, of course. But a part of me still yearned for a moment now, a chance to explore this newfound connection with Morgan, away from the pressures and expectations that seemed to constantly swirl 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 like liquid emerald, catching the morning light and shimmering with an inner glow. For a moment, I forgot

began, my voice thick with

okay?" she offered, a playful

a low rumble. Heat flared in my cheeks, mirroring the blush that crept up hers under my

everywhere else, smell the fresh clean scent of her, and tangle

moment."