The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 111

Bride

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Tsuneo

Beautiful.

Breathtaking.

My Pyra....

Pyra... I blinked as the name, the word, rang through my mind. I had never thought about it. before, but it was an old word for light and fire, generally meaning life-giving fire. It was generally our word for true, healing fire? ad it become our word for healing because of what Tarofu called his wife? The stories said that when the phoenix died so long ago, all life went cold and nearly vanished.

Slowly, her body floated and landed on the banks. The glow began to fade. Her face was serene and peaceful. I reached out, my hand hovering between us. A wave of warmth washed over me, a comforting energy that seemed to radiate from her. My feet dragged me forward, drifting like a moth to a flame. Then, I reached her, my fingers brushing against her cheek.

I felt a jolt of energy, a connection forming between us. Morgan's eyes fluttered open, her gaze meeting mine, no longer that rich brown, but glowing golden and red, like red-gold and molten

gold.

*Morgan?"

"Tsuneo," she whispered. 'I hope... you've been behaving with that troublemaker in your head."

I laughed, sweeping her into my arms.

"Don't ever do that again."

"I don't plan on it... I'm sorry. Are you okay?"

"Much better now."

Hayato

bench as Tsuneo and Morgan embraced. Hearing my son's laughter eased some of the pain in my chest, but not the the guilt. The air was charged with something I hadn't felt in a long time. I felt it thrumming in my chest as I leaned forward

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Hope.

hope that things would be okay. Hope that maybe I could go back to that beautiful place with Haruka and stay there next time without

just as

I was wasn't convinced. It had started after he'd woken up from the four-day coma, after all. Looking at them now, it felt even more

that dream, that place, had ripped me open, unleashing the deep well of grief that I had nearly drowned in years ago. Haruka's absence felt as acute and as heart-wrenching-as painful-as the moment I'd found her body. I thought of Tsuneo's words, the confession, and tried push it down, but I couldn't. I thought of the dream again. I could almost feel her warmth in my arms. The guilt of wanting to

to stay there, still gnawed at

pulled Morgan into his arms, whispering something. His voice too low for me to hear, and she smiled resting her head on his

me wonder if they even realized or care that there was anyone or anything else

have their reunion in peace and return

passageway that would take me back to my chambers. The secret tunnels beneath the palace were as familiar to me as the back of my hand. I had used them for years to come to this garden

needed that sanctuary more

just as I reached the entrance to the passage, I heard something-a sound

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sword regularly. No one should have been in these tunnels. Few knew of their existence, and even fewer had

would he have even gotten this far

ready myself. Then, I froze in place, stunned and haunted by

stumbled back as if I had seen a ghost. As much as I wanted to run to her, I could make

place. It wasn't possible. I had to be hallucinating. She

had of her was just that-a

how... How could she

past the dryness in my throat. My heart raced as I took in every detail of her running toward me. Her short curly hair was a bit longer than she usually had it. It bounced with every step. The crown bounced off her head, clattering to the ground. The sound rang true, but still I back ed