Chained to old wounds

CH37

Morgan

Disoriented. That was the first thing that registered. My head throbbed, a dull ache that pulsed in rhythm with my ragged breaths. I didn’t dare open my eyes, but the perfume lingering the air was enough to tell me that I was back in the palace.

“Tsuneo?”

“I’m here,” Tsuneo said softly. I heard him drawing closer. “You’re safe now.”

His voice was a familiar rumble that sent a wave of relief crashing over me.

He took my hand. A ghost of a smile played on my lips.

“I… never thought I’d be happy to be back in this room…” I whispered.

He squeezed my hand, chuckling lightly.

“Neither did I,” he admitted.

A dark thought flitted across my mind. I hadn’t realized how close I’d come to dying in this realm. I’d been a fool to think that the Trial was going to be the end of my trials in the dragon realm. The urge to run back to the human realm and never came back welled up, but for now, I pushed it down.

“It’s alright,” he whispered, wiping the tears I hadn’t realized I was crying. “You’re safe now.”

I reached for him, shivering. I was so cold all of sudden. He wrapped his me.

arms around

I burrowed deeper into his embrace, the warmth of his body a soothing balm against the lingering chill of fear. My eyelids fluttered open, the world blurry at first, then slowly coming into focus.

We were in his chambers, the opulent surroundings a stark contrast to the dank cavern I last remembered. His worried gaze met mine, searching, assessing.

“How are you feeling?” he asked gently, his thumb brushing away a stray tear that traced a path down my cheek.

“Sore,” I croaked, my voice rough and unfamiliar. “My head…”

“I’m sure. Maya’s gone to get a medical kit, but for how a bath might help,” he suggested, his voice

CH37

laced with concern.ould you like that?”

The idea of hot water washing away the grime and tension of the past few hours or days was infinitely appealing. With a weak nod, I surrendered to his care. He lifted me with ease, cradling me against his broad chest as he carried me towards the bathroom.

The scent of lavender and something citrusy – perhaps lemons? – filled the air as he sat down with me in his lap. He began running the water, the sound a comforting symphony in the quiet room. The calming scents grew stronger.

“What happened?” I rasped, the question tumbling out before I could stop it.

He paused, his back to me as he adjusted the temperature of the water. “There’s time for explanations later,” he said finally. “Right now, I want you to focus on healing. Keiji… is dead.”

Relief washed over me, mingled with a jolt of morbid curiosity. But I knew I wasn’t strong enough for details just yet. “And the Elders?”

“Dead,” he replied cryptically. “Focus on the bath, love. We’ll talk later, I promise.”

The tub filled, the steam swirling and fragrant. He helped me to the side of the bath tub, his touch surprisingly gentle despite his strength. Then, with a soft kiss on my forehead, he stepped back towards the door.

“I’ll be right outside,” he said, his voice low. “Just call if you need anything. He paused, his hand hovering on the doorknob. “I promise, I won’t look

A blush crept up my cheeks, a flicker of warmth amidst the exhaustion. “Thank you, Tsuneo,” I murmured, a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips.

With a final, reassuring nod, he disappeared out the door, leaving the bathroom door ajar. The sound of his retreating footsteps eased my heart. I slid out of the robe he’d put me in and I managed to get into the tub. As I sank into the warm, welcoming embrace of the bath, I finally allowed myself to relax, the promise of his presence eased the last bits of fear.

The warm water enveloped me, a welcome caress against the ache in my bones. Leaning back with a sigh, I closed my eyes, letting the scent relax me further, A shiver, more emotional than physical, ran through me as the events of the night flooded back. The desperation, the fear, the terror of realizing I couldn’t get Keiji off me… all of it came rushing back in a vivid wave.

“Morgan?” Tsuneo’s voice, a gentle murmur from outside the door, broke through the fog of my thoughts. “Are you alright?”

CH37

I took a shaky breath. overwhelmed.”

… I think so,” I replied, my voice hoarse. “Just a littl

“Do you want to talk about it?” His question hung in the air, an open invitation.

Hesitantly, I began to speak. I recounted the events of the night the ambush when I got back to the palace, waking up n the caves, the Elders, Keiji’s monstrous transformation, the fight.

I gassed. “1…

“What is it?”

My voice was thick with emotion, and a tear escaped, tracing a warm path down my cheek.

“My sword,” I whispered, the weight of the loss settling on me. “I lost it in the lake….”

“I brought it back.”

My eyes snapped open, a flicker of hope battling the weariness. “You… you found it?”

“Yes. Rest assured, it’s safe.”

Relief washed over me, a wave so potent it almost rivaled the warmth of the bathwater. A small, watery smile played on my lips. “Thank you,” I whispered, my voice thick with gratitude.

The heat and the remnants of the potion Keiji had forced on me were clearly taking their toll. My eyelids grew heavy, and my limbs felt impossibly heavy. I tried to push myself up, the slick surface of the tub offering no purchase. But a wave of dizziness washed over me, forcing me back down with a gasp.

“Morgan?” Concern laced Tsuneo’s voice. “What’s wrong?”

“I… I can’t seem to get out,” I admitted, frustration mingling with embarrassment. “I must be weaker than I thought.”

There was a brief silence, then the sound of footsteps approaching. “The potion is effective even if you took only a little,” Tsuneo said, his voice closer now. “Don’t worry, I’m here to help…. or you can wait for Maya?”

“No. Please, help me. I… I don’t want to pass out in the tub.”

My heart hammered against my ribs as the bathroom door creaked open. Heat flooded my face, not just from the bathwater but from the sudden vulnerability of my situation. His voice, gentle and determined, “I’ll have my eyes closed the entire time,” did little to quell the nervous flutter in my stomach.

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“Alright,” I mumbled, trying to sound brave despite the tremor in my voice. I let out the water.

Strong arms, surprisingly gentle despite their strength, reached into the tub, wrapping a soft towel around me before carefully lifting me out. The coolness of the air sent goosebumps rippling across my skin, and I clung to him instinctively. His touch, though light, ignited a spark of awareness that I desperately tried to suppress. Shame washed over me Keiji, his intentions, the terror of what could have been flashed through my mind – but Tsuneo’s unwavering support pushed those thoughts away