The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 58

CH58

Ari

"We'll have to move quickly. Perhaps even to remove the threat of my brother in a more permanent way. They all stand in the way of my kingship.

The carefully constructed facade crumbled, replaced by a mask of raw fury. "Never!" I shrieked, the word tearing from my throat. "I will never let that happen!"

Elia's eyes widened in surprise, but a flicker of amusement danced in their depths. "Calm yourself, darling," he purred, missing my meaning as he fondled my breasts and nibbled on my neck. "The human is the obstacle, but murdering her will clear the way. My brother won't survive it, and

neither would Tsuneo."

The logic was undeniable, but the bitter pill of losing Tsuneo, even as a pawn, stuck in my throat. Did I truly have to choose between Tsuneo death and my rightful place as queen? Surely, he wouldn't die if that human was murdered.

Elia must have sensed my hesitation. He leaned in closer, his voice a low murmur. "Think of it, Ari," he said, his words laced with honeyed promises. "With that human gone, the path is clear. You, by my side, as Queen. Ruling this kingdom together, a power couple no one can challenge."

The image he painted was tempting, the ultimate prize dangling just out of reach. But I didn't want Elia. And I didn't trust him either. He was using me just as much as I was using him. We kissed still. The answer, I realized with a jolt, was irrelevant. For now, our goals aligned. The human had to be eliminated. Only then could I worry about my own endgame. I'd kill Elia if he really did try to hurt Tsuneo, but I didn't think I'd have to.

Taking a deep, shuddering breath, I forced my voice to be steady.

"How will we do it?" I asked as he parted my legs and lifted me. I gasped, rocking against the hard length of his erection. "Poison? Swords?"

"Leave that to me," Elia's smile widened, genuine this time. "A beauty such as yourself shouldn't have blood on her hands."

Fine. I didn't care. "I want to watch you kill her. Watch her die."

"As you

I said, rocking against him. "Promise

CH58

"Agonizing."

smiled, grinning at the image. "Tsuneo

pain, a desperate need to take control of the situation, fueled by the yearning for Tsuneo that had always been my driving force. Elia's words, his predatory glint in the flickering candlelight - it all acted as

fact that I had no underwear on. He groaned, thrusting his fingers into me and opening me up roughly. A shiver of pleasure ran down

murmured, his voice a husky

lingered, sending a jolt of heat through

usual, laced with unspoken desires that warred with the cold anger

fell to the ground as we kissed. He carried me towards a plush chaise lounge nestled in the corner of the room, the flickering candlelight casting long, suggestive shadows

should have. In the dimly lit room, fueled by a potent cocktail of fury, ambition, and a twisted sense of desire, I surrendered to

power.

our desires. I

he whispered. I imagined those same words

Morgan

I

heard the door close behind me. The king smiled at me. His face was weathered. He looked more tired than the last time I'd seen

2/4

CH5B

regarded me.

contrast to the formality of the room. "Come

sank into it gratefully, the soft cushions a welcome relief from the nerves. I had no answers about the veil

holding a hint of concern. "This realm can be a trying place, and it can't be

has its challenges,