Chained to old wounds

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Morgan

The heat spread through me. I shifted uncomfortably. My heart hammered against my ribs. I felt so hot. I couldn’t think.

“Father,” Tsuneo growled. “I—”

“I’m aware, Tsuneo,” he said wearily. “Ari, you will apologize to your queen or be confined to the dungeons. Amara, leave if you cannot manage to control yourself, you will be doing much of the

same.”

“But—

“I have raised you as a member of this family, but you are showing me that my generosity has been wasted. If you continue down this path…”

He didn’t finish the threat, but it hung heavy in the air, a chilling promise of violence.

Ari’s face turned pale, the mocking smile replaced by a look of fear. For the first time that evening, I saw a flicker of vulnerability in her eyes, a glimpse of the woman beneath the mask.

The king worked his jaw.

“We’re leaving,” Tsuneo said. He turned to me and offered me his hand. “With all due respect, Your Majesty. I believe Morgan and I have had enough for one evening.

Tsuneo turned towards his father, his expression unreadable. The king nodded, a flicker of understanding passing between them. Without another word, Tsuneo helped me out of my chair. I shuddered, trying to push down the heat that was coursing through me. Stunned by the sudden turn of events, I allowed him to lead me out of the dining hall, the shocked stares of the remaining guests burning into my back.

The heavy oak doors of the dining hall slammed shut behind us, the sound echoing through the empty corridor like a thunderclap. My heart hammered against my ribs, a frantic drum against the backdrop of the sudden silence. The scene that had just unfolded played on repeat in my mind. dialog checks at the end of the day. We walked in silence, the heat became suffocating. Reaching The familiar doorway of our chambers, Tsuneo stopped abruptly. He opened the door and ushered the inside. When the door closed behind us, I felt his barrier go up.

Then he turned to face me, his eyes blazing with a fury that sent shivers down my spine. He snarled and started pacing.

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Scales, a shimmering black, began to ripple across his skin, starting at his forearms and creeping upwards towards his neck. His jaw clenched, his features contorted in a mask of barely contained.

rage.

“How dare they!” he roared his voice, a guttural growl that vibrated through the room. “That woman… How dare she speak to you like that!”

He whirled around, his long strides eating up the space in our chambers. Furniture creaked in protest as he brushed past, the air crackling with his barely suppressed anger.

I couldn’t just stand there and watch him erupt. Taking a deep breath, I stepped into his path, my arms outstretched.

He stopped abruptly, surprise flickering across his scaled features. His chest heaved with each ragged breath, his emotions a tempestuous storm threatening to break free.

“Tsuneo,” I said softly, my voice laced with a calmness that felt at odds with the chaos within me. “Thank you. Thank you for defending me.”

His gaze met mine. Hesitantly, he reached out, his hand hovering over my cheek for a moment before cupping it gently. The touch was warm, sending more heat through me, but it was nice.

“You are my wife, Morgan,” he said, his voice low and rough. “And I will always protect you. No one, not even royalty, has the right to speak to you with such disrespect.”

The word “wife” hung in the air, a declaration that both surprised and thrilled me. In the midst of the chaos, it was a beacon of certainty. I sighed. He pulled me into a tight embrace. My body fit perfectly against his, the warmth of his scaled skin a surprising comfort. He buried his face in my hair, his anger slowly subsiding as his breath hitched against my neck. The heat that poured off of him into me felt euphoric.

He nuzzled me, almost purring. I laughed.

“Is that a dragon sound?”

“You’d be surprised,” he said, his voice a little dazed. The quietness of the chamber felt peaceful with just the two of us after the storm of Tsuneo’s anger had subsided. He held me close, his grip strong but not possessive. In his arms, I felt a sense of security that I hadn’t realized I craved.

Finally, pulling back slightly, I looked up at him.

“Perhaps we should get ready for bed.”

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He looked down at me, his expression unreadable for a moment. Then, a flicker of something akin to shyness crossed his features. “Morgan,” he began, his voice hesitant, “would you… would you like to bathe together?”

Heat flooded my checks. The idea of sharing a bath with Tsuneo, a man I was still getting to know, sent a thrill of nervousness through me. But then, seeing the vulnerability in his eyes, I paused..

“…” I stammered, unsure of what to say.

Sensing my hesitation, he added quickly, “I know it may seem strange, but after everything that’s happened, I…” He rolled his shoulder. “I don’t want to let you out of my sight.”

His gaze dropped. The fierce warrior prince, so confident and composed in most situations, seemed genuinely flustered. The sight, oddly endearing, made my decision easier.

“Alright,” 1 agreed, a small smile playing on my lips. “But on one condition.”

His head snapped up, a hopeful glint in his eyes. “Anything,” he declared without hesitation.

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“We have separate… accommodations,” I said, searching for the right word.

The communal baths of my hometown felt like a lifetime ago, a world away from the luxurious. bathing facilities of the palace. I’d always wanted to go, but I couldn’t carve out the time to go.

A slow smile spread across Tsuneo’s face. He walked over to a hidden alcove in the wall and pulled out two thin robes, the fabric a soft, sea–green silk that was almost jade. Then, with a flourish, he revealed a series of wooden panels that could be used to create partitions between the two showering stalls in the corner of the room.

Relief washed over me. This, I could handle. “That works perfectly,” I admitted, a genuine smile gracing my lips.

With a shared smile, we began the process of getting ready for bed. The bathing chamber itself was a marvel of both luxury and functionality. The large, sunken tub was made from a smooth stone that radiated warmth. Steam rose from the perfumed water, filling the air with a relaxing

scent.

We showered in comfortable silence, the wooden partitions offering a sense of privacy while still allowing the sound of splashing water and the soft hiss of steam to create a strangely intimate atmosphere.

Finally, we both donned the silky robes and climbed into the waiting tub. The water was warm

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and inviting, enveloping us in a soothing embrace. Tsuneo leaned back against the smooth stone, a sigh escaping his lips.

“This is… rather pleasant,” he admitted, his voice laced with a hint of surprise. “I’ve never bathed with anyone before.”

“Neither have I, I confessed, surprised by the sudden ease with which the words came out.