Chained to old wounds

CH78

Tsuneo

As Morgan started to drift off in the tub, a sense of unease settled over me. The heat was odd, but the tension that radiated from her hated me. I watched her sleep, watching the flush in her cheeks started to fade, but I was worried. The tears that had streamed down her face troubled me. Morgan had opened up to me a lot, but there was something about the way she was opening to me right now, the haze in her eyes that felt off.

I let her sleep until she started to almost shiver in the bath and scooped her out of the bathtub, wrapping her in my outer robe. She let out a soft moan and turned into my arms with a soft sound. The longer I held her, the more I felt an odd sensation grow. There was desire there. Yes, but it wasn’t that. It was a chain prickling, almost sparkling sensation beneath my skin.

I settled into a seat in the antechamber when she slowly started to wake.

Tsuneo

“How are you feeling now?”

She nodded. “Better… Less hot. Any chance that you have a robe that is super light?”

I smiled.” I do. But it’s near translucent.”

She flushed. “Are you messing with me?”

Maybe a little. Do you want to try it on?”

She nodded. I carried her into my closet. Searching for that room. It had been years since I’d even tried it on. It was exactly where I left at last. I pulled

it from the shelf and offered it to her. She took it from my hand rather than stepping into it. Her gaze was on the floor and she was bright red.

“What’s wrong?”

I hadn’t meant for you to see me naked”

I licked my lips. Honestly, I didn’t get a good enough look.”

She scowled at me, but I could see the gratitude in her eyes. I love her to get dressed and walked outside the closet. A little while later, she emerged, seemingly less feverish and pleased. The rope was a bit translucent, but whatever slip she had underneath it made it more modest.

She sighed and sank onto the couch beside me.

“We need to speak to my father.”

“What?” she asked.

“That wasn’t normal at all.”

She bit her lip and nodded. “I know.”

1 offered her my hand. She took it and I helped her to her feet.

be okay to walk?”

She nodded. My heart pounded in my chest as we walked through the corridor. No one seemed to look at us strangely, but I worried if anyone else had noticed her strange change was Kai awake. I really wanted to get this done before he did.

I reached his chamber and noted the scent of his concubines perfumes. It seemed like everyone was in his chambers. I entered and everyone turned as we were announced. The concubines, who had been lounging in the antechamber, looked up in surprise. My father was nowhere to be seen. He must have been somewhere else in his chambers.

One of them, a woman with a venomous tongue, sneered at us.

What do you think you’re doing, barging in like that? she demanded.

CHTE

I ignced her, my focus solely on reaching my father. I pushed past the concubines, my determination unwavering. I found him in the antechamber with

a few Elders. He looked up, his expression one of surprise and annoyance.

“Tsuneo,” he said slowly. He glanced between the two of us. “Morgan… something wrong?”

“We need to speak with you, Father,” I said, my voice urgent. “It’s important.”

Father’s expression softened, and a hint of curiosity flickered in his eyes.

“Very well,” he replied, gesturing for us to approach. “What is it?”

‘Privately.”

He cocked an eyebrow. Our gazes met, but he nodded again.

“Leave us.”

Morgan

It was a little nerve–wracking. The Elders looked mad, but Tsuneo seemed to be on edge. He and his father looked like they were having a silent conversation, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to know exactly what they were talking about. At least, the rube was cooler. The Elders dragged their feet in leaving, but I could feel the walls pulsing with their presence.

1 erected a privacy barrier on the room. The air shimmered, and the king smiled.

“You have become quite adept at that pretty soon. There will be nowhere I can hide.” His eyes twinkled. Not that I have a recent tie from you… I certainly don’t plan to be on the other side of your blade. What’s troubling the newlyweds?”

Tsuneo tugged me forward. “Something is wrong”

“I’m not sick,” I said quickly. “It’s just… Something is happening to me. I’m changing, becoming something… something else.”

He blinked. He didn’t even seem confused. Instead, he sat back

“You knew this would happen? Tsuneo asked,

“When did it start?”

“Today”

“Father–”

“Calm yourself. Tsuneo,” he said gently. “There was never a gua

a guarantee, and it is not a dangerous change.”

“How can you be certain? I found her passed out in the bathroom!”

I shook my head. I was not passed out, though I was suddenly getting there. I was just hot

A wave of energy surged through me, a tingling sentation that spread throughout my body. My skin began to glow, a soft, ethereal light that seemed to emanate from within. Tsunro’s eyes widened in shock as he watched me transform. The king didn’t seem surprised. Something hopeful and expectant filled his eyes

“What is happening to her?” Tsunen asked. “Father?”

The Trial marks the emp

printes phoenix, Tsuneo, It is not dangerous,”

He seemed very calm. Tsune didn’t seem to be reacting well to that, growing more agitated. I grabbed his hand, shivering as the feeling started to

drain mat oil me and the heat eased

ed us, his eyes filled with a misture of fascination and joy. I couldn’t help but feel suspicious of why he would look like that

staðir Buttered through his gaze. Suddenly, a realization downed on me.

smiled. There’s been mother human here. My eyes widened, and I looked at Tsune. “Your wie?

CH70

Tsuneo’s jaw dropped open. He looked back at his father.

He chuckled. “That must be a human trait. That incredibly quick weight, perhaps just human women….”

He chuckled.

Then he stood and nodded toward the large mural behind him.

“Come with me,” he said.

I didn’t get a chance to ask where we were going as the murals started to shift and slide apart, revealing a secret passageway. We followed him silently. The air felt musky, like no one had been down here in ages. The walls lit up, guiding us down the corridor. The king led us through a series of winding corridors, each one more ornate than the last. The murals showed pictures of dragons and Phoenixes, I wasn’t sure if these were depictions of Tsuneo’s ancestors or just myths, but they were beautiful, like paintings. Finally, the king stopped before a large door. It was as large as the mouth of a cave.

“I had intended to show you this eventually, but now that it’s come to this…”