Page 24 of Courting the Dragon King

“I had not realised we’d use our blood to sign,” Wraith whispered and still did not hold out his hand. “There is much power in blood.”

Konrad exhaled heavily. How had Wraith not known? Blood had been used in every marriage so far.

Wraith glanced at Konrad. He bit his lip and then shoved his hand forward. The grand monk pricked his finger and repeated the actions he’d done with Konrad. As Wraith’s blood hit the ink, the liquid began to swirl.

“Konrad Drachen and Wraith Grimm. Today, you sign your names in blood, binding yourselves in unity for the rest of your lives. This cannot be undone. This cannot be reversed. This is not something to be entering into lightly.”

The grand monk turned his grey eyes to Konrad. “Do you understand, Konrad Drachen? And do you consent to enter into this irreversible contract written out onto this scroll?”

“I understand and consent, Grand Monk,” Konrad said.

“Good. Very good.” Then the grand monk turned to Wraith. “Do you understand, Wraith Grimm? And do you consent to enter into this irreversible contract written out onto this scroll?”

Wraith’s lips moved. Then he licked them. Finally, he said, “I understand and consent, Grand Monk.”

The grand monk held out his hands to the side. “We, the Monks of the Way of the Dove, bear witness today to your union and to this contract you enter into. Now sign your names on the scroll.”

Konrad reached for the quill. He dipped it into the swirling ink and signed. Then he handed the quill to Wraith. Wraith dipped the quill and then held the tip above the parchment. He hesitated.

Konrad had to stop himself from snapping. He didn’t want to marry Wraith, either, but at least Konrad wasn’t stalling and faffing around.

Wraith signed. The chanting grew louder. Their signed names glowed.

“I ask you to face each other and place your palms together,” the grand monk said, voice raised to be heard over the chanting.

Konrad and Wraith turned. They placed their hands together. Wraith gasped as a sudden pressure shoved their hands together. The chanting somehow grew even louder.

Then suddenly, the pressure stopped. The monks finished their chanting. Konrad and Wraith dropped their hands.

“The union is completed,” the grand monk proclaimed. “You are bound together for this life, Konrad Drachen and Wraith Grimm.”

Neither spoke. They did not make eye contact. They just stood at the front of the chamber.

It’s done. We are married.

The grand monk cleared his throat. “The wedding banquet will be held shortly. If you wish to freshen up beforehand, please do.”

Konrad looked at Shadow Prince Wraith, now his husband.

My husband. His muscles seized. He opened his mouth to say … something. But he had no words. So he turned on his heel and left the chamber, not looking back at the man he had just married.

Chapter

Thirteen

Wraith watched as Konrad, his now-husband, strode from the ceremony chamber. Gerard followed him out.

I am married.

The shadow king and queen turned and left. The monks made no move to go anywhere. They just stood and stared at him. The grand monk smiled. Then Wraith realised with a start that he should probably leave too.

The monks probably wanted him gone so they could clean or something. So he followed the shadow king and queen out. They glided from the chamber with Wraith trailing after them. They spoke, too low for Wraith to hear.

I am married. I am married now.

A wave of dizziness swept over him. He stopped walking.

The shadow king and queen did not look back to see if he was with them. He turned right and walked down a corridor, his breathing coming fast. He placed a hand on the wall for support. His vision grew fuzzy, and his heartbeat thundered in his ears.