Page 39 of Courting the Dragon King

Uncertain where he should go, he decided to return to the quarters for the Necros royal family. But then he realised he had no idea which way the Necros rooms actually lay from his current location.

Servants, monks, and individuals from the different kingdoms passed him. But he did not speak to any of them. Of course the dead also wandered about too, many of whom were monks. He approached one and helped them move on. He wished he could just do this for the rest of his life. Walk around, helping the dead.

Finally, he recognised a hallway, looking out over a garden with various vegetable plots. Two monks moved amongst the rows, tending to tomato plants and harvesting the produce. Wraith had walked this hallway between the banquet hall and his old room. He knew the way from here.

The Necros guards bowed and opened the door as he approached.

It felt odd that they used living guards here. Normally, the dread knights would be the ones guarding the royal family. They lacked the need to sleep, and they were usually far better fighters. And they were much harder to kill. Their loyalty was also unquestionable. After all, their spirits were magically bound to serving Necros.

He’d overheard Vex and Harrow say that the grand shield had been against the undead in the White Monastery. So that explained the use of living guards.

His shoulder muscles tensed as he walked further down the corridor. He passed several guards, although far fewer than what they had in the Draconian quarters. He stopped walking in the middle of the corridor, not sure exactly where to go now. Normally he’d just go to his room. But he no longer had a room.

Still, this was his family. Even if they didn’t wish him to be a part of it.

And maybe now they would be less harsh with him. Perhaps there would be some pride that he’d successfully married the dragon king as he’d been required to do. He doubted there would be any warm feelings from his siblings or the shadow king or even the shadow queen. But respect might be a possibility.

He heard voices up ahead. His brother and sister turned the corner, coming out of his brother’s room.

Harrow and Vex came to a halt when they spotted him.

Vex scowled. “Fuck. What are you doing here? Why aren’t you with the fucking dragon king?”

“Is he sick of you already? Did he kick you out?” Harrow gave an exaggerated pout.

“Poor Wraith. No one wants him anywhere.” Vex snickered. “And that includes here.”

Wraith shrank back.

They continued walking, both laughing. As they passed, Vex shoved him with her shoulder.

Wraith stumbled.

“Why can’t he just fuck off and leave us be?” Vex said, clearly not caring that Wraith could hear her. “I’m so done with seeing him always skulking around.”

“I know. It’s pathetic. He’s pathetic,” Harrow said.

Wraith stared down at his hands. It seemed there had been no softening of feelings from his siblings.

I should just leave. But where will I go? Back to the Draconian quarters? It’s not like they want me there either.

He exhaled a shaky breath.

Why is there no place for me anywhere? Why has there never been a place for me anywhere?

Vex and Harrow had always been close. As kids he’d see them playing. He’d tried to join in. But that had just earned him bruises and insults. Still, it had taken him a long time, too long, to accept that his siblings wanted nothing to do with him.

He continued walking down the corridor. He paused in the doorway to his mother’s room. She sat at her dresser, staring into the mirror as a servant twisted her hair and pinned it in place.

His mother’s eyes met his in the mirror. “Wraith. What are you doing here?” she asked, voice flat. At least her tone held no animosity at his sudden appearance.

Wraith stepped into the room. “I wished to tell you that the wedding was consummated.”

She lifted a hand mirror and tilted it from side to side, appraising the servant’s work. “That’s good, Wraith.”

Wraith took another step forward. “Also … I was wondering why my belongings were sent to the Draconian quarters.”

“I would think that would be rather obvious,” she said.