Page 77 of Courting the Dragon King

Gerard, Elias, Luther, Onyx, and Leon all sat near the top of the table.

“I hope you’ve enjoyed your time slacking today.” Gerard’s lips tugged into a smile. “But don’t worry, Konrad. Senta and I covered for you and your lazy arse whilst you and Wraith enjoyed your little picnic.”

Konrad laughed.

But Wraith leaned forward. “I’m sorry, Gerard.”

Gerard’s good eye widened.

“That’s entirely my fault,” Wraith said. “I didn’t mean to keep him from his duties.”

“It’s all right.” Konrad placed a hand on Wraith’s arm. “He’s teasing.”

But Wraith glanced between the two, as if not quite sure.

“I apologise, Wraith,” Gerard said. “I did not mean to make you feel bad. It’s good to see Konrad taking a little time to enjoy himself. I’m glad you had a nice afternoon together.”

Wraith’s shoulders relaxed.

“Yeah, just ignore Gerard. He’s often a giant dick.” Luther stabbed a piece of fish with his fork.

Gerard stared blankly at Luther. Luther smiled at him as he chewed. Onyx chuckled. Meanwhile, Leon ate silently.

Elias smirked at Konrad. “It’s nice to see that you two are getting along so well.”

Konrad wished he could be annoyed with Elias and his smugness, but he had been right to push Konrad to treat Wraith better. If not for Elias, Konrad and Wraith might still not be getting along.

“I’ve never been on a picnic before today,” Wraith said, voice soft.

There were exclamations of surprise, which seemed to startle Wraith. Konrad wrapped an arm around him and squeezed.

“Oh. I almost forgot.” Elias reached into his pocket. “This came for you earlier.” He handed a letter to Wraith.

“Thank you.” Wraith stared at his name scrawled on the front of the letter. He broke the seal and opened it. His eyebrows pinched together as he scanned the text. “It’s from my mother. She wanted me to come see her before this dinner in her quarters.”

Wraith looked up. “We were having our picnic. Why would she want to see me?” Then he looked at the head Necros table whilst chewing on his lower lip.

“Perhaps talk to her after dinner and see,” Konrad said.

Wraith folded the letter. “Yes. That’s a good idea. But I wonder what she wants?” His shoulders hunched.

Servants placed plates of food before Wraith and Konrad. Konrad delved straight in. Wraith picked up his fork and ate peas one by one.

Luther cleared his throat. He leaned across the table, practically lying on it as he tried to get closer to Wraith. “So what’s this I hear about you having sex with ghosts?” he asked in a whisper that was far too loud.

Wraith’s eyes widened, his fork with a pea on it frozen mid-air. “I …” His pale cheeks flushed red.

“Sorry, Wraith!” Elias said. “This is my fault. I mentioned it to Gerard, and I hadn’t realised Luther could overhear me.” He shot Luther a look. “He was sneaking around and hiding in doorways.”

Luther waved a hand in the air. “It doesn’t matter how I found out. I just want to know what sex with ghosts is like.”

“You don’t have to answer that if you don’t want to,” Konrad said to Wraith.

But after a second, Wraith said, “Well, it’s … ah … pleasant.”

“Pleasant? That’s all?” Luther slapped his hand on the table.

“Luther!” Konrad barked. “He does not owe you details!”