The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 52

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Morgan

| woke up not necessarily remembering how | went to sleep, but knowing that | was safe, warm, and comfortable.

The morning light, pale and tentative, filtered through the gaps in the curtains, painting delicate stripes of gold

across Tsuneo's face. He was still asleep, his chest rising and falling with each slow, steady breath. The darkness

that had tainted his skin had faded quite a lot, leaving behind about him, let alone all the human women we'd

run into who had such an interest in him.

an olive, almost golden skin tone. Like this, it was no wonder that Ari was crazy

A strand of his hair tickled my cheek, and | reached up instinctively to brush it away. That simple touch seemed

to rouse him. His eyes fluttered open, a slow smile spreading across his face as they met mine. For a moment,

we just lay there, lost in the quiet intimacy of the morning. My stomach jolted but it was nice comfortable. It

wasn't anything that | ever expected to have for myself.

Then, a playful glint sparked in his eyes. "Good morning, sleepyhead," he rumbled, his voice thick with sleep.

"Good morning," | replied, a smile tugging at my lips. "It's t| got up."

I made a move to disentangle myself from the sheets, but Tsuneo tightened his grip aroundplayfully.

"Oh no, you don't," he teased. "Not without a proper goodbye."

Before | could protest, he rolled us both over, pinningbeneath him. He kept his weight offso that he was

just barely pinningto the bed. It was enough to keepfrom moving and wiggling away. We stared at each

other for a beat, laughter bubbling up in my chest. Heat pulled in my gut. Getting caught up in Tsuneo's passion

was dangerous if | let myself be swept away in it. Sometimes | could see the dragon in him peeking out. | saw

just a flicker of fire in his eyes. | didn't know what the plan was, but | tried to laugh it off. "This isn't fair!" |

exclaimed, feigning indignation. Two against one isn't exactly a fair fight."

"Two? Where in all of the realms do you get that there is two of me?"

| think you are at least two of me. Never mind your dragon."

He chuckled. "Perhaps in stature, but my dragon and | are one." He leaned closer and whispered in my ear. "And

we agree on everything."

"T-Tsuneo..." | shifted, and he growled at me, sending my heart racing.

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"There are several facts in this world. You smell divine. We want you, and love isn't fair," he said, his voice laced

with heat.

Love. Was that supposed to take that the way it sounded like? Or was he just teasing me?

"Now, where was 1?' He leaned down, his lips brushing teasingly against my ear.

A shiver ran down my spine, and | let out a squeal of laughter as he started tickling my neck with his breath. He

went still. Then he did it again, and | twisted its creaking with laughter. Oh, please don't do that!"

He pulled back grinning. The Heat was still there, but there was more amusement in his eyes.

So, my wife is ticklish."

| went still. This was a side of Tsuneo | hadn't seen before playful, teasing, completely unexpected, and probably

more dangerous than his other side.

"Tsuneo, please- His fingers dug into my sides. That ticklish, uncomfortable feeling, raced. throughand |

couldn't stop laughing.

"Alright, alright, | surrender!" | cried, squirming beneath him. Tears welled up in my eyes, not from pain, but from

the sheer joy of the moment.

| twisted and struggled, but he was too big and enjoying this far too much to letgo.

"Next t| expect a kiss before you try to get out of bed."

"Okay! Okay. Just please stop!"

He chuckled, the sound rich and warm, and finally relented, pulling back slightly. | was breathless, my cheeks

flushed, a wide grin plastered on my face.

"You are... so very lovely laughing," he said, tracing my hairline with his fingertips. His voice still tinged with

amusement. "I think this is the first tI've ever seen you without that shadow in your eye."

My lips-twitched, and | wrapped my arms around his neck. "I hate being tickled."

He laughed. "I don't believe you."

"I never thought you have the potential to be this sort of cruel."

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He flashed his fangs atand his eyes flashed. "There's more tothan just scales and fangs, you know. You'll

learn all of me. | think you'll enjoy it quite a lot."

"Perhaps," | replied, catching my breath. "You're a menace," | added playfully, swatting him lightly

the arm.

on

He feigned hurt, clutching his arm tically. "A menace, am I? | think that warrants another round of tickling."

Before | could react, he lunged foragain. We wrestled playfully on the bed, a tangle of limbs and laughter.

Though I knew | had no chance of overpowering me, he seemed to enjoy toying with me. It was nice after

everything that had happened to have this unexpected moment of lightheartedness. Finally, out of breath and

completely disheveled, we collapsed back onto the pillows, chests heaving with laughter. A comfortable silence

settled between us, the playful energy fading into a sense of contentment.

"Thank you, | whispered, surprising even myself.

He looked down at me, his expression unreadable for a moment. Then, a slow smile spread across his face. "For

what?"

"For this," | said, gesturing vaguely between us. "For this moment, for the laughter, for..." My voice trailed off,

unsure of how to express the jumble of emotions swirling within me. | thought of Keiji and his accomplices. |

thought of my brother, my family, and everything that had brought me

here.

| found that | could mourn all the lives that had been lost, not just my father's, and still... appreciate the good

that had cfrom it all..

He reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair from my face. His touch was gentle, sending a jolt through me.

"There will be many more moments, Morgan," he said, his voice low and husky. "I promise."

His words hung in the air, filled with a promise of a future | could only begin to imagine. And as | Jay there,

nestled in his arms, the warmth of the rising sun painting the room in a golden glow, | couldn't help but believe

him. I met his eyes and rather than the playfulness that had been there before, the heat had returned. There was

something tender and longing there, too.

The playful mood evaporated instantly. One moment we were tangled in a fit of giggles, the next, a heavy

silence descended upon the room. The air crackled with a sudden tension that had

10:13 Wed, Oct 16

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nothing to do with our playful fight. I bit my lip. Nervous all of a sudden.

000:82%0

Tsumeo's grip ontightened, not playfully this time, but possessively. His

had been sparkling with amusement mere seconds ago, now held a burning intensity that sent a thrilling

eves... shiver down my spine.

He leaned in closer, his breath warm against my cheek. "Don't move."