Page 49 of Courting the Dragon King

“Maybe so you could determine if it is actually despicable, gross, or vile, rather than just leaping to conclusions.” Elias pressed his lips together. “I don’t know a lot about ghosts. But to come to a proper conclusion about whether or not I think fucking ghosts is appropriate behaviour, I need to find out more about how one goes about fucking a ghost and all that is involved with that.”

Then Elias smiled. “Honestly, I am very keen to find out more.”

Konrad gaped. What the fuck is wrong with him?

Elias sighed and stepped forward. He placed his hands on Konrad’s upper arm. “Your Majesty, may I give you some advice, as your devoted brother-in-law?” He did not wait for Konrad’s response. “You are too ignorant to be so judgemental.”

Konrad gaped.

But Elias just kept speaking. “You should make an effort to learn about something before judging it. At least try and find out the basics.” He paused. “Then perhaps you’d be less wrong and would stop making such an embarrassing spectacle of yourself.”

Elias patted Konrad’s shoulders, turned, and walked off.

Konrad spluttered. Then he shouted, “Yeah? Well, I preferred it when you were a bumbling fool!”

Elias laughed but just kept walking. He seemed to sway his hips more. “I was never a fool, Your Majesty,” Elias called back. “I just fooled everyone else. Including you.”

Konrad steamed where he stood. He tried to think of a cutting and clever comeback to yell after Elias. But as his mind scrambled, Elias turned and disappeared from sight.

Still, thoughts and questions circled round and round in his head. What was wrong with Elias? Why could he not see what Konrad could? You could not trust a necromancer nor their hellhound!

Konrad turned and walked away. But annoying thoughts kept niggling in the back of his mind. Elias was smart. Could he possibly be right?

He thought of Wraith lit up and talking to Elias. Then he’d shut down when he saw Konrad.

Also, Konrad had been so quick to pull a dagger on Wraith’s “pet.”

And is Wraith actually lonely?

Chapter

Twenty-Five

Wraith sat still and silent on the cushion, having just watched his husband storm out, Elias following.

Why had Konrad reacted so strongly to Umbra? She was just a friendly hellhound. She’d never hurt a single soul. Ever. She couldn’t! Still, Konrad had drawn his dagger on her.

Now Gerard had remained in the room. He stood by the wall, like some sort of guard on duty.

Is he watching me? Perhaps he was keeping an eye out in case Umbra returned. Gerard was the dragon warrior prince. Maybe Konrad had told him to keep tabs on Wraith’s movements.

For several moments, no one spoke. Then Gerard cleared his throat. “How are you finding your room?”

“I don’t have a room,” Wraith said, voice soft.

“You are staying with Konrad. Your belongings have been moved there.”

Was this some sort of test? Wraith fidgeted and took a breath. “That is Konrad’s room. Not mine. I would not enter it without his express permission.”

Gerard frowned. “I imagine Konrad expects you to sleep in his room.”

“He finds my presence …” Abhorrent. Repulsive. Loathsome. In the end Wraith just said, “He would not want me in his space.”

“But then where will you sleep?” Gerard asked.

“I’m not sure. Maybe in here. The cushions are comfortable.” Wraith patted one beside him.

Gerard’s brows furrowed as he looked over the room. “This is not a bedroom fit for the king consort of Draconia.”