The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 65

CH 65

I nodded. "They're quite cheap here. A bit of rock and magic. I-"

Kai let out a loud

A particularly large firework exploded in the sky, revealing the silhouette of a phoenix, followed by that of a dragon. The two creatures seemed to dance in the night sky, entwining like two lovers. I smiled. I remembered the first time I'd seen that firework as a child. I remembered how petulant Keiji grew at the sight of it, resentful. I could not think of a time in which Keiji had not been resentful toward me.

Kai turned to me. "What are those?" he asked, his voice filled with wonder.

I frowned. "You've never seen a depiction of a dragon or a phoenix?"

or what they are?

He shook his head. "Is that what they

"Yes," I said slowly, trying to keep my voice level as the curiosity and dread started to take over. Where had he been living that he had never seen such a thing? The images of them were spread throughout the kingdom. Do you know much about what it means to be a dragon?"

He blinked and flushed, shaking his head.

"Come here."

He shifted toward me, and I lifted him onto my lap, looking down into his eyes. I didn't remember how young I was when I grew my first set of scales.

I offered him my hand and pulled up my sleeve so he could see the trail of scales down my arm, they were faint, barely risen, and uncolored but he gasped.

scales like that when I get

be is anyone's guess. These are new scales. As

of the royal line has a companion, someone who brings balance and harmony to their life, but the truth is that every dragon has a companion somewhere, a phoenix, of noble standing or

forced a smile. Had he never met a commoner dragon? That narrowed down where in the kingdom he might have been living. "A dragon's companion is often referred to as a phoenix, due

Morgan. Like you

nodded, my heart swelling

Ari?" He frowned. "Father calls

had the slightest tilt to her lips. A shy, cunning smirk I wanted to

is my wife, yes, and my phoenix, but she is a

do you

through the Trial of Fire Only

phoenixes can survive it."

"Then, Lady An

isn't a

She gets burned

is ven in cong

time with Father's lamps.

a lot

lot of times."

tried not to laugh, but

post hope Father finds a

like Lady Morgan," he said, leaning into my

father

CH65