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

had me leaning in, my gaze locked on Morgan's flushed cheeks and parted lips. Her scent a heady mix of florals and something uniquely hers filled my

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 Maya in,

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it. Maya's interruption was a relief, unwelcome and unexpected, but 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

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

should find a time to see each other today,

a moment alone with her, away from prying eyes and

the west garden," I rumbled, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. "After your meeting? I can pick you up from

her face, a radiant

she breathed, and then she was gone,

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

to myself than to Maya. "We're supposed to

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

the sound

Highness," she said. "The coronation will be here before you

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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

my voice thick with something I

offered, a playful smile dancing on

cheeks, mirroring the blush that crept up hers under my intense gaze. "And anything

everywhere else, smell the fresh clean scent of her, and tangle my fingers in her curls. I licked my lips. She jumped. I

moment."