Page 68 of Courting the Dragon King

“Daddy can’t see me.” She sniffled. “Or hear me. No one can,” she wailed.

“I know. I’m sorry. But we’re here to help you now.”

She looked up and saw Umbra for the first time. “Oh! You have a puppy!” She smiled.

Whilst Wraith did not mind how Umbra looked, he knew that her hellhound appearance tended to be quite startling to others. But to the dead, Umbra appeared as she had in life, just a beautiful fluffy white dog. At moments like this, Wraith was grateful for that. He needed Mary unafraid of Umbra.

“I do. And she is a very friendly dog. Her name is Umbra.”

Umbra barked and circled Mary, rubbing her body against her. Mary laughed and patted her.

“She likes you,” Wraith said as Umbra licked her tear-stained cheeks as if wanting to prove Wraith’s point.

The sound of a Bone Door opening sounded behind Wraith. The sunny day turned suddenly cold. Wind flowed, stirring his hair.

Wraith stood. “Will you come with us? We’ll lead you somewhere safe. Where everyone can see you and you will be happy.” He held out his hand. She took it and stood.

“Will Umbra come too?” She placed her tiny hand on Umbra’s back.

Umbra barked.

“She will. She’ll be with you every step of the journey.” Wraith turned towards the door.

They walked towards it.

“She’ll actually be the one who leads you. I can only come with you for the first few steps. But you stay close to Umbra and you’ll be fine.”

Her fingers tightened in Umbra’s fur. “Okay.” She looked up at the open Bone Door, eyes widening.

Umbra leaned against her, lending her support. They stepped through the doorway into the shadows and fog that lay beyond.

“Wow!” she said. Although, Wraith could not see what she saw.

Wraith took a few steps. Then he said, “I can’t go any further with you.”

Even though he was a reaper, he was still a living being. The further he went through the door, the less chance he had of finding his way back. But since she was dead, Umbra had no trouble moving between worlds. “Umbra will continue with you and keep you safe. Okay?”

But the little girl was already running forward, Umbra at her side. They disappeared amongst the swirls of shadow. Wraith stared after them.

I hope she’ll be okay.

Then he heard her laughter and Umbra’s barking. He smiled and left through the door. It shut behind him with a firm click.

Konrad rushed forward. “Wraith! Where did you go? One moment, you and Umbra were right in front of me, talking to someone … Was it a ghost? Then you and Umbra just disappeared in the middle of the road. What happened?”

Wraith filled Konrad in. Konrad listened, eyes wide.

“I saw the coffin. It looked so tiny. Far too tiny.” Konrad’s brows lowered. “It was on a cart being pulled by a donkey.”

Wraith had not seen any of that. He had been too focused on Mary.

“So that is what you do,” Konrad said.

Wraith tensed, remembering how Konrad had reacted when he’d assisted the dead woman during the couple’s quest.

But Konrad did not look angry now. “That’s a very noble role, Wraith. I’m glad you helped Mary.”

Wraith’s muscles unwound. “Umbra will look after her. She will make sure that Mary is all right.”