Substitute Bride: My Comatose Husband Awakes

PHIN

my stomach, a hot, syrupy poison dragging me down. I stumbled against a cold st

a gruff voice muttered. The Duke's thugs. Curses follow

ut I forced them forward, desperate to find a place to hide.

ed from it, a cold that seemed to push back against the tavern's noise

the darkness beyond and threw my weight against the door. My fumbling hands found

scent that made my blood suddenly boil-ozone and molten brimstone. It w

hand clamped over my mouth, another arm like an

The man's strength was overwhelming. His body heat was

t wasn't human. It was the sound of a predator,

ard on the hand covering my mouth. The taste of coppe

aned closer, his breath ghosting

ity in it froze my limbs more effectively than any th

oor. "Seraphina! We know you're in there!"

the sheer force of him, sent a terrifying jolt through me

an inexplicable, agonizing pull toward him, a deep, p

brimstone intensified, becoming almost intoxicating. The Fated Flame. The recognition hit me like a physical

is fingers, burning hot, traced the

he won't care if she's roughed up. We'll find her in the morning.

heat was a raging fire in my blood, threaten

caught me, pulling me against his solid chest. My fever

Mrs. Gable, had taught me to conceal. The Dragon Healer within me screa

st my patience," he growled, his voice r

, icy-hot, a catalyst. I used his temperature, his sheer presence, to focus

rk. It was a battle for my survival, waged against a backdrop of ov

drug finally neutralized, leaving me exhausted but clear-headed. Hi

silhouette on the narrow bed. A part of me, the part that recognized the Fated

from the Bone Wastes and a man who smelled of p

d out into the freezing morning air. My

eet cold on the cobblestones. I had to get back to the Ashf

acquered carriage, its horses already harnessed and steaming in