The Dragon King's Substitute Bride (Morgan and Tsuneo) novel Chapter 37

CH37 

Morgan 

Disoriented. That was the first thing that registered. My head throbbed, a dull ache that pulsed in rhythm with my ragged breaths. I didn’t dare open my eyes, but the perfume lingering the air was enough to tell me that I was back in the palace. 

“Tsuneo?” 

“I’m here,” Tsuneo said softly. I heard him drawing closer. “You’re safe now.” 

His voice was a familiar rumble that sent a wave of relief crashing over me. 

He took my hand. A ghost of a smile played on my lips. 

“I… never thought I’d be happy to be back in this room…” I whispered. 

He squeezed my hand, chuckling lightly. 

“Neither did I,” he admitted. 

A dark thought flitted across my mind. I hadn’t realized how close I’d come to dying in this realm. I’d been a fool to think that the Trial was going to be the end of my trials in the dragon realm. The urge to run back to the human realm and never came back welled up, but for now, I pushed it down. 

“It’s alright,” he whispered, wiping the tears I hadn’t realized I was crying. “You’re safe now.” 

I reached for him, shivering. I was so cold all of sudden. He wrapped his me. 

arms around 

I burrowed deeper into his embrace, the warmth of his body a soothing balm against the lingering chill of fear. My eyelids fluttered open, the world blurry at first, then slowly coming into focus. 

We were in his chambers, the opulent surroundings a stark contrast to the dank cavern I last remembered. His worried gaze met mine, searching, assessing. 

“How are you feeling?” he asked gently, his thumb brushing away a stray tear that traced a path down my cheek. 

“Sore,” I croaked, my voice rough and unfamiliar. “My head…” 

“I’m sure. Maya’s gone to get a medical kit, but for how a bath might help,” he suggested, his voice 

CH37 

laced with concern.ould you like that?” 

The idea of hot water washing away the grime and tension of the past few hours or days was infinitely appealing. With a weak nod, I surrendered to his care. He lifted me with ease, cradling me against his broad chest as he carried me towards the bathroom. 

The scent of lavender and something citrusy – perhaps lemons? – filled the air as he sat down with me in his lap. He began running the water, the sound a comforting symphony in the quiet room. The calming scents grew stronger. 

“What happened?” I rasped, the question tumbling out before I could stop it. 

He paused, his back to me as he adjusted the temperature of the water. “There’s time for explanations later,” he said finally. “Right now, I want you to focus on healing. Keiji… is dead.” 

Relief washed over me, mingled with a jolt of morbid curiosity. But I knew I wasn’t strong enough for details just yet. “And the Elders?” 

“Dead,” he replied cryptically. “Focus on the bath, love. We’ll talk later, I promise.” 

The tub filled, the steam swirling and fragrant. He helped me to the side of the bath tub, his touch surprisingly gentle despite his strength. Then, with a soft kiss on my forehead, he stepped back towards the door. 

“I’ll be right outside,” he said, his voice low. “Just call if you need anything. He paused, his hand hovering on the doorknob. “I promise, I won’t look 

A blush crept up my cheeks, a flicker of warmth amidst the exhaustion. “Thank you, Tsuneo,” I murmured, a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips. 

With a final, reassuring nod, he disappeared out the door, leaving the bathroom door ajar. The sound of his retreating footsteps eased my heart. I slid out of the robe he’d put me in and I managed to get into the tub. As I sank into the warm, welcoming embrace of the bath, I finally allowed myself to relax, the promise of his presence eased the last bits of fear. 

The warm water enveloped me, a welcome caress against the ache in my bones. Leaning back with a sigh, I closed my eyes, letting the scent relax me further, A shiver, more emotional than physical, ran through me as the events of the night flooded back. The desperation, the fear, the terror of realizing I couldn’t get Keiji off me… all of it came rushing back in a vivid wave. 

“Morgan?” Tsuneo’s voice, a gentle murmur from outside the door, broke through the fog of my thoughts. “Are you alright?” 

CH37 

I took a shaky breath. overwhelmed.” 

… I think so,” I replied, my voice hoarse. “Just a littl 

“Do you want to talk about it?” His question hung in the air, an open invitation. 

Hesitantly, I began to speak. I recounted the events of the night the ambush when I got back to the palace, waking up n the caves, the Elders, Keiji’s monstrous transformation, the fight. 

I gassed. “1… 

“What is it?” 

My voice was thick with emotion, and a tear escaped, tracing a warm path down my cheek. 

“My sword,” I whispered, the weight of the loss settling on me. “I lost it in the lake….”