Chained to old wounds

Chapter Chained to old wounds 83



CH83

Tsuneo

How much longer would it be? Had it been minutes? Hours? Every second of not feeling her presence felt like an eternity. This was maddening. How had my father hung on all these years? I paced the chamber, my heart pounding in my chest. I couldn’t help but feel anxious. This was the heart of the kingdom, the heart of the palace. This was literally the safest place Morgan could be in our entire realm. And yet, I did not feel that she was safe because she wasn’t here. Morgan’s absence felt like a vold that seemed to consume everything.

I turned to my father, his gaze fixed on the gate where the statues had not moved again, still blocking the way.

“Father,” I said, my voice barely a whisper. “What’s happening?”

He didn’t respond, his eyes still fixed on the portal. I reached out, my hand resting gently on his shoulder.

“Father,” I repeated, my voice filled with a mixture of concern and fear.

He turned to me, his eyes filled with a strange intensity.

“Sit down,” he said, his voice barely a whisper. We should talk as it seems that your mother has quite a bit to say to your wife.”

1 hesitated, my mind racing. What did he mean by that?

I sat down, my heart pounding in my chest. As I looked at my father, a sense of unease overtook me. He was acting strangely, his behavior filled with a mixture of anticipation and dread. The golden scales on his neck seemed duller and patchier than ever. A part of me knew he wasn’t just shedding them, per se

“Tsuneo,” he began, his voice filled with a

with a sense of urgency. “You must tell me the truth.”

My heart skipped a heat. The truth? What truth?

“About what?I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

He hesitated, his eyes filled with a mixture of concern and determination.

“About your reluctance to take the throne.”

I went still. That was the last thing I wanted to talk about.

Morgan

I found myself laughing. Haruka was such a character, and it was nice that she didn’t actually hate me. I’d heard plenty of horror stories about mother- in–laws. Haruka’s eyes were filled with a mixture of amusement and curiosity, regarded me with a knowing glint.

“You and Tsuneo, she began, her voice filled with a playful litt. “When do you two plan on giving the kingdom an heir?”

My gut twisted, and I shook my head.

“I have no intention of having children.”

“Well, what about the baby–making part?” She blinked. “The fun part, that is. Tsuneo was always quite popular, so I know he knows what to do, and yet…

My jaw dropped, and she laughed. “What are you—-

“I read your life force, darling. I know you and my son have had an… interesting marriage so far. You need advice? A woman’s perspective on it? I can tell you want him, or at least, you are starting to warm to the idea.

My face burned, and I sipped. I never thought about it like that. Would talking to her about it make me feel more comfortable with the idea, or was that just hopebal thinking? I’d never talked to anyone about… of any nature, I didn’t really see the need to since I was never planning to get married, — and the guys in town were… less than interesting.

Haruka laughed, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Im only teasing, but if you want advice, I’ve got a few things to share,” she replied, her voice filled with a playful tone. As for the kids, it would probably be best that you didn’t try. A black dragon cannot have kids of his own.”

Tsuneo said that as well, but do you know if that’s supposed to mean literally?”

She frowned.

That’s a good question. I’m not entirely sure. That might be a question you’ll have to ask him. Even if it’s not a literally, it would be for the best.

“Why?”

She smiled, a knowing glint in her eyes. “You’ve only been in his arms for a short time, so you don’t know what he’s like. Possessive protective. Outright dangerous in the right circumstances. All dragons are protective of those they consider their treasure. Family and all that,” she replied, her voice filled with a mixture of amusement and concern. “Imagine the chans he would cause safeguarding you and your children?” She shook her head. “He’s already stressing himself out enough about being crown prince, The stress of worrying about his children always being under attack. He’d probably level the entire palace within a week‘

My jaw dropped. ‘Level the palace?”

She nodded. And probably bring the whole realm to a grinding halt.”

די

I didn’t know he was at powerful.”

She sighed, “I don’t think his father has really talked to him about it yet. There aren’t a lot of black dragons born into the royal family. There’s no real cosmic need for it. It would be best not to talk to him about it right now. He already fears so much about being the Black Dragon. He doesn’t need to know how deep his destructive power goes.”

She took a deep breath. When I realized that he was a black dragon, I knew that there was something on the horizon that needed him. I hope you’re prepared for it. I hope we’re all prepared for it.” She bit her lip.

My heart burched. Prepared for… what exactly?”

She beamed. “That’s the fun part. I have no idea! But if you’re worried about it being alright, that’s probably not the case… It’s much, much bigger than

that.”

“Then it would be nice to have all the support possible.”

Her eyes turned misty. I agree.”

“Why are you here?” I asked. “You’re not exactly dead, are you?”

She smiled, a bittersweet expression crossing her face.

“I wasn’t ready to leave him, she replied, her voice barely a whisper. “Not yet.”

“Your husband?” I asked, my eyes widening in surprise.

She nodded, her eyes filled with a mixture of love and sadness.

“He is the love of my life,” she replied, her voice filled with a sense of longing. “But I couldn’t bear to leave him behind.”

“So you come here?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper

She nodded, her eyes filled with a mixture of determination and hope. “This place is a limbo, a space between life and death,” she explained. A place where souls can linger waiting for their time to pass on…Or to return.”

She smiled. “Yes, Only a true phoenix, a woman who has passed the Trial of Fire, can access this place, and only a new phoenix’s fire can ignite an old

My heart pounded in my chest. How do 1

int reply yet,” she said, patting my shoulder. And th

‘s nothing you can really do to speed it up either.”

CHAJ

She sighed and looked to her right. And it’s about time I get you back before Tsuneo implodes.

“When the time comes… I’ll bring you back.”

“Thank you,” she said and stood. “Come on. Let’s get you back.”


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