Chained to old wounds

CH14

Morgan

“Doctor Shang had to cut his examination short because of your interruption earlier,” I

“Or that you’ve murdered him after excaping to the human realm,” Keiji said.

I narrowed my gaze at him. “The next time you intimate my wrong doing, I’d cheek with Doctor Shang about the effect my presence here actually is

I looked at his father. His eyes were focused on my sword. Then, he looked me in the eyes.

“I will permit you to see your son as I have come to understand the grief that has pushed you to make the decisions you have made,” I said, meeting his gaze. “Imperial Captain Ael has told me a great deal, and you have my apologies for adding to your grief.”

His eyes widened.

“But don’t mistake my apology for forgiveness and complacency.” I set my jaw. “More than just I have suffered because of your decisions, and you have not even begun to make it right.”

The door swung open. Ari tried to enter, but the barrier remained. His father turned and walked toward the door and passed through the doorway easily. The door closed behind him. I didn’t know if the man knew that his son was awake or not, but he deserved the privacy.

Besides, it was a necessary power play. Ari was furning. Keiji’s gaze was angry and covetous.

“If it’s so terrible, why did you return?” One of the Elders asked.

I cocked an eyebrow. “Were you not listening? I spoke to Imperial Captain Ael. He has done my family a service that deserves to be repaid. Unfortunately, here is the only place where I can get the information necessary to open the veil.”

The silence that followed was deafening. I could see that I’d struck their pride. Good. Them thinking that any human would be over the moon to be here just because anyone over here would love to be here was ridiculous. Tsuneo may have believed that It was clear they were out of touch

with how humans actually viewed them on the other side. It was time for a wake–up

call.

“It’s time that the members of his unit and all the others come home.” The door opened, and Tsuneo’s father came out. His expression was stoic, but I could tell he had been crying. “I am working with Doctor Shang to deliver much–needed supplies to those trapped on the other side until I can open the veil.”

CH14

He met my gaze, and then he bowed his head to me. I tried not to react, pretending to be in control of the situation. Expecting it even. Ari gasped in shock. She looked like she would

pass

out.

“The heavens have chosen you, the Phoenix has blessed your hands, and we will support your

H

efforts. Her lips twitched. “I hope that your anger with me and the choices I have made will fade that I may know you, and you may know me… It is not every daw

I gain such an… extraordinary daughter–in–law.”

His eyes were gentle. My heart clenched, and I thought of my father. My heart felt like it was in a vice. I felt the longing for him in my life, so I let the impulse take over.

“I like tea and pastries.”

He smiled warmly. “You remind me of my wife… Tsuneo will love you.”

My stomach jumped. Ari stumbled as he turned and walked toward the Elders.

“Maya,” he said.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Be sure to take Her Majesty to her study when she is ready.” He smiled at me. “Ari, be good and get along with your sister–in–law.”

Her eyes bulged. She looked ready to scream. He pat Keiji on his shoulder. “Make yourself

available to your sister–in–law. She will need help to take care of those on the other side.”

He paused. “I will speak with the Elders regarding the supplies. Soon, after your honeymoon, I suspect, I imagine you will want to attend the meetings?”

“Not much of a honeymoon with a comatose husband.”

He laughed. The Elders looked scandalized, but they said nothing.

“Let’s have dinner together when you’ve returned again. There is much to speak about.”

I–nodded. “Sure thing, pops.”

He smiled. The darkness in his eyes seemed to fade. There was a bit of brightness there that hadn’t been there before. I swore that the gold of his scales had darkened. He left and led the others out. Ari was the last one out, casting a glare over her shoulder. When the door closed, I pulled up the privacy screen and slumped back in my seat. My stomach growled, and I looked at Maya.

CH14

“What?”

“You really are the queen…”

I sighed and got up. “Seems like it.”

I got to my feet and rolled my shoulders. “Where is this study?”

Maya took me to the queen’s study. It was more like a beautiful lounge decorated in jade and gold. The writing desk was large, but it was beautiful. There were three doors aside from the door I’d entered through. I’d have to figure out where the doors led. Maya waited outside as I looked around. I grabbed as many journals as I could manage and carried them back to Tsuneo’s room. Maya

brought me food and then left me alone. As soon as I pulled up the privacy wall and locked

the door, I called out.

“She’s gone if you’d like to get up.”

He walked into the doorway and leaned against the wall. His gaze felt sultry and appreciative, dragging over me like a hot brand. Men back home had looked at me with that look, and it had turned my stomach the way they’d leered at me, but when our gazes met, there was none of that lust for the sake of lust in his eyes. I didn’t know how to explain it, but it made my mouth dry.

“Something wrong?”

“…I can see why my mother almost exclusively wore my father’s robes.”

I blinked and didn’t look at him as the heat of my embarrassment spread and pooled in my gut.

“Well played with my father.

“Does he know?”

“No.”

“Why?” I looked at him.

He looked away. “There are… a list of reasons.”

I glanced at him. “… you don’t want him to go.

He was stiff, but the way he glanced at me told me everything. Tsuneo’s act might be to catch the person who poisoned him, but it also meant that his father had a reason not to give up on life. I

turned to him.

CH14

“You think he will.. “Yout

Die. I couldn’t bring myself to say it, but the look on his face made me realize that I was right.

no dragon king has lived so long after the death of their queen if the bonds of the throne do not hold them.” Tsuneo looked out the window. “My mother has been dead for years… Apparently,

centuries in your world.”

“How long here?”

“It’s been… nearly five years.”

I blinked, letting my head wrap around that. Five years here and centuries in the human realm. I shuddered at the thought. The grief must be still too near for him and his father.

I nodded. “I’m sorry for your loss.”

“As am I, but she would have loved you. Your spark.” He came to the desk and frowned down at the books. “My mother’s journals?”

“I’m hoping for a diagram, instructions, or something.”

He laughed. “You will not find it.”

My eyes bulged. “What?”

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Parker

I’m assuming that should be His lips twitched…

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