The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 75

CH75

Tuned

Morgan sighed again..

"The accident that killed my father, the one that she helped orchestrate... he was in the car with him, and she didn't even know. It was supposed to be me in that car." She looked up at me. "If not for a sheer stroke of luck, I would not be here."

I said nothing, stunned. A pang of sadness and fear shot through me. Where would I be now if Morgan hadn't come in her cousin's place? I didn't want to think about it.

Morgan's words hung heavy in the air. A surge of protectiveness washed over me.

I reached out, my hand finding hers. Then I talked her into my arms and squeezed her clothes.

"I am so very grateful that you are here," I said. "Though I wish it had been under better circumstances, I wish that we could have met under better circumstances. I cannot regret our meeting..."

She squeezed me back, burying her face in my shoulder. I felt my robes growing wet with her tears.

"One day, when it doesn't hurt so much, will you tell me about your father?

She nodded and said nothing. As we held each other, I pushed down the anger that had started to rise. Adele and Gom deserved to be punished for their selfishness.

My lips twitched. "I could have Adele and Goro arrested. Perhaps, beaten with a whip?"

She sniffled. "That will not bring my father back. Nor wake my brother."

"No, but it might make you feel a little better." I kissed her head. "I could have them brought into the palace as

She laughed. They would both be terrible servants. Don't waste the palace. Resources like that."

*Fine. Contracted labor on some miserable little farm at the edge of the kingdom."

She looked up, her eyes sparkling with laughter. Tsunen, please. It's... fine."

servants,"

I said. "Adultery is a heavy crime as well. Endangerment of a child. We have

shook her head. "I would just as

"What about your brother?"

head. I would prefer to

and looked up. "Would you let

Morgan

finished tying the sash and headed out, I heard Kal's tiny feet rushing down the

the human realm. I paused. "I think I'm going to

me. Can I come? Can

don't think that's exactly up to me whether you can come or not. We best ask

the queen. Aren't

CHIL

such a strange thought, considering how

we should head

cheered and took my band,

go! I have so many

questions!"

his enthusiasm.

think of Hiro, too. Would he ever wake

tilted his head, and looked up. gazes met, and

dragged over me, clearly pleased with my choice

you can see.

Our

with my father and the Elders about Ari," he explained. "They've decided to put

meeting to decide." He searched for my face. If you have any desires, anything you wish to

c. and T'll

want you to be

nodded. "I will be as soon as

later after your

lips to mine, kissing me gently but soundly. I gasped as he drew back and placed

"I'll be

was seemingly at peace with

filled with a warmth that melted my