Chained to old wounds

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Morgan

Tsuneo, with surprising grace for such a large man, led me to the edge of the small pond that lay at the heart of the clearing. The surface, usually still, now rippled with a gentle luminescence, reflecting the moonlight and the fireflies‘ dance in a mesmerizing display.

Hesitantly, I stepped onto the water’s surface. To my astonishment, it held me firm, as if a solid. layer lay beneath the shimmering surface. Tsuneo followed suit, his presence a comforting anchor beside me.

With the first notes of the song, he pulled me close. My breath hitched as our bodies touched, a slow burn igniting deep within me. His hand, calloused yet surprisingly gentle, found my waist, guiding me as we moved to the rhythm of the faerie song.

ne our skin. The music.

We glided across the surface of the pond, the cool night air

now at cascade of tinkling bells and melodic whispers, seemed to speak directly to our souls. In Tsuneo’s eyes, an emotion I couldn’t quite name flickered – a mix of newfound hope, lingering grief, and perhaps, a dawning desire that mirrored my own.

As we danced, the world around us faded away. The worries of the court, Ari, Keiji, the uncertainty of my future all of it seemed insignificant in this moment of pure magic. This unexpected date in his mother’s garden, the connection forged over stolen moments and shared stories, had blossomed into something more, something beautiful and fragile and utterly captivating.

With the last notes of the song, the faeries dipped and bowed, their tiny faces aglow with delight. As the music faded, replaced by the soft chirping of crickets, we stood suspended on the water’s surface, our breaths mingling in the cool night air.

Tsuneo’s gaze held mine, his eyes reflecting the moonlight and a depth of emotion that sent a shiver down my spine. In that moment, under the watchful eyes of the fairies and the shimmering cloak of the night sky, the unspoken words hung heavy in the air – a promise whispered on the wind, a dawning realization that this connection, forged in the heart of a secret garden, might just blossom into something extraordinary. He barely grazed his lips against mine.

We should head back…” He whispered. “So you’ll have time to go before dinner/”

I nodded and we headed back.

The faerie song had faded into a sweet memory as we reluctantly left the enchanted clearing. The magic of the moment lingered around us, a subtle shimmer in the air, a secret shared only between us. He lifted me into the air and flew us back to the palace. As we walked hand–in–hand

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through the halls, a comfortable silence settled between us, heavy with unspoken emotions.

Reaching the correct corridor, we came upon the shimmering portal, the gateway back to my world. A pang of sadness lanced through me. I wasn’t ready to go back yet, but I did need to check in. I guessed this is what people meant when they talked about when they said that parting si such a sweet sorrow,

I turned back to lok at him. Tsuneo, his expression unreadable, stopped a few paces from the portal. He turned to face me, his eyes searching mine..

“Morgan,” he began, his voice rough with an emotion I couldn’t decipher, “I…”

He hesitated, then blurted out, “I want to come with you.”

My heart skipped a beat. Those weren’t the words I expected, yet a thrill shot through me at the very notion. But logic quickly intruded. “Tsuneo,” I whispered, my voice barely above a breath. “I don’t know how to open the veil yet.”

A flicker of frustration crossed his face. He let go of my hand and reached out, his hand hovering over the shimmering surface. As if testing the barrier, he pushed forward, but his hand met only resistance. He winced, pulling back with a look of surprise.

“See?” I said gently, placing a hand on his arm. “It won’t let you through.”

Dejection clouded his features for a moment, but then, a spark of determination ignited in his eyes. Taking a deep breath, he said, “Then promise to come back to me soon? Before dinner?”

I had no idea how long that would be and as I looked into the portal I wondered…. I’d had to push the carts through myself. Maybe, it would work with a person too. Taking a chance, I stepped forward and reached out, taking Tsuneo’s hand in mine. His eyes widened in surprise, but he didn’t pull away.

With a deep breath, I stepped forward, pulling Tsuneo with me.

The world dissolved into a swirling vortex of colors and sensations. Then, just as abruptly, it stopped.

We stumbled out, blinking in the dimness of the room. We were in the house. And Tsuneo was beside me.

He stood there for a moment, his eyes wide with shock. He looked down at his hand, still clasped tightly in mine, then back up at me. His expression was a mix of awe, disbelief, and… something else entirely.Then, without a word, he pulled me into his arms. The embrace was fierce,

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possessive, and filled with a raw emotion that sent shivers down my spine.

“Morgan,” he breathed against my hair, his voice thick with a mixture of relief and wonder. “You… you brought me through.”

I clung to him, my heart pounding a frantic rhythm against my ribs. “I… I wasn’t sure if it would work,” I admitted, my voice barely a whisper.

But if it worked for Tsuneo, maybe I could get Dr. Shang’s sister back to this side too….

My brother?

Others who desperately needed to come home?

He pulled back slightly, his gaze burning into mine.

“Amazing,” he murmured, his voice husky with admiration. “You are simply amazing.”

And then, before I could even process his words, he closed the gap between us and kissed me. Passionate and consuming. It felt like a whirlwind of emotions was swirling around us.

Maybe it wasn’t the best thing to do on the first date, but there were certainly worse.

Hours later, laughter bubbled up from my chest, a joyous sound that echoed through the corridor as we came back to the dragon realm. Glancing at Tsuneo, I found him grinning like a mischievous child, his eyes sparkling with delight. Showing him around the human world had been exhilirating, especially as everyone seemed overjoyed to see him up and about.

He had marveled at everything, from the sleek lines of the waiting carriages to the smooth, paved roads. The bustling marketplace, a stark contrast to the serene palace gardens, filled him with a childlike curiosity. He haggled with a street vendor over a strange, brightly colored glass orb, his amusement at his own ineptitude only adding to his charm. Apparently, it was some sort of magical relic. People flocked to look at him in awe. It was as if seeing him really solidified the fact that I’d passed the Trial.

Finally, exhausted but happy, we headed down the hallway to his chambers. Suddenly, a familiar figure emerged from behind a pillar. It was the captain of the guard. He bowed stiffly.

“Your Highnesses,‘ he addressed Tsuneo, his voice devoid of emotion. “The king requests your presence in the dining hall for the evening meal.”

The Dragon King’s Substitute Bride