Page 11 of Courting the Dragon King

Her gaze turned back to Wraith. “And you will play a part. Your marriage to King Konrad, the dragon king, is your chance to prove yourself, Wraith. To be useful to Necros.”

Wraith bowed. “I will do all I can to make you and the shadow king proud.”

“Good.” She stood, chair legs scraping on the wooden floor. “But do not forget, even though you are marrying the dragon king, you are still a shadow prince of Necros. Your loyalty is to us. Not to Draconia.”

“I will remember, Mother,” Wraith said.

His mother’s pale hand reached out and cupped his cheek. Her skin felt dry and cool. It was a simple touch, but his mother might have slapped him for the shock that went through his body.

His mother never touched him. No one living did.

But maybe she was proud of Wraith for doing his part for Necros. Maybe this was her forgiving him for all the difficulties his existence had caused her. Maybe if this marriage worked and the treaty was finalised, his mother and his family would finally be accepting of him.

He doubted he could ever earn the shadow king’s approval. But if Wraith acted appropriately, then perhaps the king would look at him without anger.

His mother dropped her hand. “Now let us go to your betrothal ball to King Konrad of Draconia.”

Chapter

Six

“Dragon gods. He brought his damned hellhound to our betrothal ball!” Konrad spat.

Luther and Onyx looked over at Shadow Prince Wraith as he entered the lavish ballroom. The hellhound followed the prince.

Luther laughed. “Who knows, maybe a hellhound will be a fun and interesting addition to the Castle of the Dragons.”

“It’s not funny, Luther! That undead beast is a threat and a danger,” Konrad said.

Shadow Prince Wraith glided, not stopping or pausing as he made his way through the crowd comprised of nobles, dignitaries, monks, and guards. The hellhound remained at the shadow prince’s heels, which everyone noticed.

People stepped back to avoid getting too close to the monstrous, undead creature. But Shadow Prince Wraith ignored the people and their whispers.

Perhaps he relishes causing fear in others.

“You have to admit, despite being creepy, he is beautiful.” Luther leaned forward, putting weight on his cane, so he could keep watching the shadow prince as he walked through the ballroom.

“Stunning in fact,” Onyx added.

They weren’t wrong, of course. The shadow prince was lovely with his long black hair, skin as pale as bone, and red lips like freshly spilled blood.

“Being beautiful doesn’t change the fact that he is still a fucking necromancer.” Konrad sneered.

“And we all know what you think of necromancers,” Luther muttered.

“Do not pretend you like them.” But Konrad knew that Luther and his other siblings did not share the same depth of hatred Konrad held.

During the war, the siblings had been sent all over to fight their enemies. But it was Konrad specifically who had spent his time during the war facing necromancers, battle after horrific, bloody battle. His siblings may have seen some action against the armies of Necros, but not like Konrad. They had not seen what he had.

Luther shrugged. “I don’t like them. Who does? They are weird, and what they do is revolting. But since you have to marry a necromancer, and as part of that you are required to consummate the marriage, you have to admit that it’s preferable that he is attractive.”

Luther glanced at Onyx and smirked. “Also, sometimes it is fun to bed someone you hate.” He sipped his wine, practically eye-fucking his husband.

Onyx chuckled, not breaking eye contact with Luther.

Konrad continued sneering and said nothing. Onyx and Luther had originally despised each other. That was no longer the case.

“Come on, Konrad,” Luther said. “Would you rather fuck an ugly and spooky necromancer or a beautiful and spooky necromancer?”