The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 82

CH82

I dodged her attack, my body moving instinctively to draw my own sword, but she didn't let up. I met her next attack with my own and pushed her back. She smirked, rycing me. An exhilarated gleam took over her eyes, making them glow, Though I held the sword, and I knew how to use it? I felt nervous. There was something about her that made me feel like I was only losing end of the battle. Part of me knew I was no match for her, not in terms of raw power. But I was quick and agile, and I had a will to survive. I had to get out of her. She charged at me again, dating scross the field. We exchanged blows, our swords clashing and sparking between us. She cut me in the shoulder, and I returned the blow with a cut to her thigh, slicing through her fine robes. She laughed and attacked again. The air was filled with the scent of flowers, sweat, and blood, the taste of metal on my longue. The blade of my sworld seemed to glow brighter with every blow I blocked. As I fought, I felt a surge of power coursing through me, a connection to something ancient and mysterious. It was as if the phoenix within me was awakening, its strength and determination growing with each passing moment.

Then, something about the Eight changed. I parried her attack, my sword meeting hers with a force that sent her reeling backward. She flipped through the air and came back at me, shoving me back into a tree. There was no anger in her eyes, no bloodlust. She seemed almost amused.

"You're strong," she said, her voice barely a whisper. "Very strong."

I panted. "My father made sure I was."

She smiled, a flicker of amusement playing on her lips.

How lucky

y you are to have had a father who cared for you."

My chest clenched at the darkness in her tone. Her gaze flicked down to my blade, and she tilted her head. She was still pressing me back into the tree. Pinning me there. There was no way I could break free. She was so freaking strong, I was barely holding her back from pressing my own blade into my shoulder.

"That sword," she said, her voice low and cautious. "Where did you get it?"

gave it to

who exactly

I said, my heart clenching as I said his name.

has no children.

my father? Maybe one of my ancestors with

is. I have no idea how long you've been here or what

furrowed. A time differential,

I felt her looking into me with some otherworldly power. I felt it surging through her. It was a warm, heady sensation that sent a shiver down my spine. 1 felt completely bared

fear washed over me at what she'd see struggled against her grip, my body twisting and

heaved. I saw the nobles with their noses in the

a soqge of strength, I managed to break free from her grip, my body twisting and turning, dodging her sword as it landed in the tree ck, an aby lur her

CH32

pain in my shoulder vanished. Her robe was stitched back together. The scent of blood faded from the air. The world around me seemed to fade away. I felt myself drifting, falling into a dreamlike state. I was surrounded by a swirling vortex of colors, images flashing before my eyes. Then, I felt so much younger, standing before her. The sword in my hand was

Phoenix... Mother-in-law to daughter-in-law." She laughed. 1 took her hand and felt myself grow to my normal height. She took my hand and led me

set appeared. She made a plate of sweets

to kill me

have always wanted a strong young woman for him, And he found you.... Well, the Elders, in their archaic and haphazard fashion, found you for

rolling her eyes. Though that fancy slip of yours is quite delightful, I'm not sure