The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 134

CH134 Tsuneo

I frowned, looking at her. She wasn't looking at me. Tarofu chuckled as I realized what she meat I smiled and tugged her closer, enjoying the feel of her body against mine and pushing down. thoughts about what it would feel like with no barriers between us. "Practice in bed and courting are two very different things... One is certainly easier than the

other."

It was so very easy to convince a young woman into my bedroom. I was a crown prince. Even easier to bring her to pleasure, so long as she brought me pleasure, and I didn't have the habit o bringing anyone to my bed I didn't want there." "I wouldn't... know anything about that."

A surge of posessiveness went through me at the thought. I knew it was very likely, but I hadn't allowed myself to think concretely about the idea that I would most likely be her first.

"I promise... to make it unforgettable."

She stammered and I kissed her head, drawing her closer to breath in her scent. I didn't want to let her go. I didn't want to go back inside and work or be apart from her.

Was this me or Taorfu's longing for his wife? Maybe it was a bit of both. If I let myself, I could. sink into that feeling that the whole world had narrowed down to just us, standing beneath the cherry blossoms. "Tsuneo?" she said after a long pause.

"Hmm?"

"I know we've talked about it, but... do you think there's a chance that the past could repeat itself at the Convening?"

Her voice was quiet, thoughtful, the weight of her question pressing down on both of us.

Tarofu seemed to go still and anxious at the back of my mind, but I nuzzled her gently.

"If it does... Nothing will survive. Not even darkness."

She shuddered. My words felt heavy and true and terrifying as I knew they weren't just mine, but

10:10 Thu, Oct 24

CH134

deep breath, glancing up

hoped it didn't come to

86%

back inside beneath the falling blossoms. I walked her to her office. and we lingered outside the door as if staying together would put off all

"You're stalling," she said.

"So are

peaceful atmosphere was shattered when a guard appeared at the end of the hallway, his face pale and serious. Morgan went stiff and straightened, the shift in the air palpable. Whatever message he had, it wasn't good, "Your Highness," the guard said, bowing to us, his voice grave, "we've recovered

around her as anger heated my blood. I could feel the weight of the news settling over me, the cold reality of it cutting through the warmth of the afternoon. I could still remember that night and the blinding rage of tearing him apart. It felt just

it. She looked up at

was that that if Keiji really could revive, he wouldnt be hellbent on picking up where

will exile hiin, Tarofu said. His crimes are to great to

comparison, felt almost I agreed, but I wondered if that

kill

I winced. Fair.

get rid of the problem before it became a real one that I couldn't

wanted to deal with. I had hoped

area where the body had been brought, I found the workers solemn and quiet. The grave box-ornate, yet simple in its design-was waiting. And beside it lay Keiji's remains, waterlogged and bloodless, but not so pale as I could not imagine that there was no chance this would work. I traced my eyes, cataloging all of what had heen recovered. Save for the lost blood, it looked as though they had recovered every part of him down to his entrails and the shreds of the robes he had been wearing upon his death. "Dress the body ina new robe," I said.

was pale, drawn with terror

"And his sister?"

of that moment flashed in my

were traitors of

well. Then place her in her own grave box. We'll take them to

my siblings, but I wasn't sorry. I would do it again without delay or hesitation. The workers moved slowly, respectfully placing Keiji's body into the grave box beside his sister's. Tarofu stirred within me, his

done, he murmured, though his words brought little