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

with unspoken desire, a potent current that 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

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 Maya in, ignoring the way Ari was still screaming and fighting the barrier Morgan had erected far enough from the captain that

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me, gamely. I knew I shouldn't be so disappointed or irritated about 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 be breathless. Was I breathless too? The question hung unanswered as I took her hand, the warmth

me. Morgan leaned in, surprising me with a soft kiss on the

a whisper. We should find

her, away from prying eyes and pressing duties, was incredibly

before I could stop them. "After your meeting? I can pick you up from

spread across her face, a radiant sunrise that chased

perfect," she breathed, and then

gaze lingered on the closed door for a beat too long. The thought of following her, of joining her in the cool sanctuary of the bathroom, sparked a delicious heat in my core. But one look from

than to Maya.

took Morgan far, far away from them. The retreat to the fairy pools was

chuckled, the sound light and

Your Highness," she said. "The coronation will be here before you know it, and then you'll have

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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,

voice thick with something I couldn't quite

a playful smile dancing on her lips. "I

my cheeks, mirroring the blush

dampness on her neck and everywhere else, smell the fresh clean scent of her, and tangle my fingers in her curls. I licked my lips. She jumped. I supposed I made a sound. Quickly, I tore

moment."