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

CH73

Morgan

The air shook with the threat. Her hands grew long, vicious-looking claws and her eyes turned slitted. Before I realized that I had darted around Tsuneo, blocking Ari's claws with my sword and holding out a hand to stop Tuinen. He froze in place, his eyes burning, and Ari shrieked in agony. Her claws snapped, broke, and ripped out of her hands against the blade of my sword. The sound of my blade rang through the air like a song. I could smell the blood in the air. The Elders murmured in fright.

She reeled back in agony right into the arms of the guards.

"Until you are prepared to come clean about the parentage of Kai, you are placed under house arrest. Should you continue to hold that the crown prince is Kali's father, then you will be arrested and transferred to the dungeon for your terrible acts." Her eyes, filled with a mixture of fury and fear, met mine for a brief moment.

"Why don't you believe me? I've been here way longer than that human winch. Tsuneo, tell them the truth! Tell them, but he's yours. Don't let them do this to me. Don't you love me? We were always supposed to be together. We are supposed to be together, but he went poisoned your mind!*

Slowly, she was dragged away, her protests echoing through the hall. The room fell into a stunned silence.

I felt bad for Kal. It was terrible to watch. I turned to the child, who was watching the commotion with wide eyes. He looked surprised but relieved, too.

I knelt down, meeting his gaze. "Don't worry," I said, my voice gentle. Everything will be alright."

He glanced back towards where Ari's voice was still coming down the hallway.

"Why don't we find something to eat?" I suggested, hoping to distract him from the unpleasantness of the past few minutes. "And then, perhaps, take a nap. It's been a rather wild morning, hm?"

He nodded. Taking his hand, I led him away from the chaos towards a quieter room where he could feel safe. As we walked, I glanced back at Tsuneo, and our gazes met for a moment. He nodded and turned back to deal with the Elders.

"Morgan," the king called. "Thank you for your great wisdom and compassion. I commend you. I could not have asked for a better daughter-in-law or a better queen to be at Tsuneo's side."

A blush

ish crept up my cheeks. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

I got Kai settled with snacks and sat with him, but my mind kept going back to Ari. The sight of Ari, her face contorted in rage as she was dragged away, sent a shiver down my spine. Her behavior, her complete disregard for the child's well-being, was a stark reminder of Adele. She, too, had been consumed by her own desires, and her love for Goro was the only thing that mattered. I had no doubt that it was still the same even now. Was she watching over my brother?

I didn't know, but I tried to fake a smile and chat with Kal anyway.

"I wonder if they're going to make you go through tutoring. Maybe you learn how to use a sword."

"Do you really think I could?"

Tsuneo

The sight of Ari being dragged away, her protests echoing through the hall, Elled me with a strange mix of relief and unease. Relief that she had been silenced, at least temporarily, but unease at the implications of her accusations.

Was she really going to continue to insist that Kai was my child? Even at the risk of ending up in jail for the rest of her life or being executed? she has to be banking on my father's goodwill. The nature of the golden dragon being ever merciful and forgiving. She didn't know I was a black dragon, so she couldn't have been counting on my sense of mercy. She must think I was a gold dragon the way my father is and that was a mistake.

Even now, the dragon in me wanted to go after her and rip her to shreds. She had threatened Morgan-my wife and phoenix. There was nothing in me that said I should give her merry. She had to have known that, and if she didn't, she'd soon find out

I want the frothy Imel my father's gaze. "I know in your heart, father, that she is basically another daughter to you. But if she continues with this lie, if she continues to threaten Morgan, if she wants to purport that either we had a relationship or that she forced one upon me, I see nothing in myself that would grant her minty

CH73

I met his gaze for a long moment. There was nothing but silence. But I could see the understanding in his eyes. He knew that if Morgan had not stepped between us, I would have killed Ari without a second thought. I would not attend her funeral. I would not apologize for it either. Perhaps I would feel some manner of sympathy for Kai, who no longer had a mother, but I would not feel guilty for defending my phoenix.

"Is it true she was wearing your mother's robes?"

"Several of my mother's things were found in her possession and promptly forcibly returned."

He sighed deeply. The truth was probably a bitter pill to swallow, but he would not ignore it.

"We will investigate... give her time to come to her senses and decide to tell the truth in some manner. Later, I will call you to my chambers, and we will speak more in-depth as this is more of a personal matter than an imperial one. For now, my dearest prince, go and be with your phoenix. It has not been so long since you've woken up that you need to stress yourself out like this so soon." He smiled. Perhaps it would be best for you to go on your honeymoon sooner rather than later."

I smiled at the thought. "Perhaps. Until later than father.

I was relieved that it seemed that my father believed me, relieved that the Elders had been forced to back down. And into the room where Morgan and Kai were. They seem to be playing a game, using pieces of fruit as game pieces. The sun streaming through the glass illuminated her. She was radiant. The light caught on the reflective parts of her robes and made her seem to almost glow. The memory of her with her glowing blade, unafraid to stand between me and my prey as if she knew with absolute certainty that she never had to fear me, stirred parts of my memories that I couldn't exactly get ahold of, but it excited me. It was a primal instinct that turned me on in a way I couldn't explain or deny. I crossed the room and leaned down to whisper in Morgan's ear.

She gasped. I heard her heart rate speed up, and the heat radiating from our body increased. She went absolutely still in her seat, seemingly waiting for me to say something

I pitched my voice into a low growl. "Your sly side is absolutely delicious."