Page 96 of Courting the Dragon King

There had not been many couples on the dance floor to start with, but one by one, they left. Wraith and Konrad were the last couple dancing.

Konrad clapped as the musicians finished the song. “We should probably stop.”

“I suppose you are right. After all, only the ghosts are dancing now.”

“Ghosts?” Konrad took Wraith’s arm and led him from the floor.

“Yes. There are a couple of ghosts dancing. They have been almost the whole night.”

“They must be enjoying themselves.” Konrad supposed they should return to their rooms and prepare for the day ahead. Very few individuals remained at the ball. But Konrad wasn’t quite ready to call it a night. They ascended the stairs to the upper floor.

Maybe they’d take a longer way back, because just walking with Wraith and being with him seemed like the perfect way to end the night before he had to return to his duties.

Konrad’s and Wraith’s guards followed them. They walked down a corridor, passing empty sitting rooms. Dirty crystal glasses, goblets, and teacups sat on tables.

“Konrad,” Wraith said. “I—ah—had a thought.”

“What thought?” And why did Wraith suddenly sound nervous.

“Well— Actually, can we go in here?” Wraith gestured to the room they were passing.

“Of course,” Konrad said.

They entered the room. Books lined the walls. A small lantern provided the only light in the room. There were a few chairs and settees.

Wraith dropped his arm and walked to the centre of the room. He wrung his hands.

“Wait here and do not let us be disturbed,” Konrad said to the guards. Then he closed the door. “Wraith, what’s wrong?” Was it something to do with his father or the necromancers? Did Wraith know something important? Something about the plotting?

Wraith bit his lower lip. “Nothing’s wrong. I just—” He reached into his robes and pulled out a small glass vial.

“What is it?”

Wraith hesitated. “It’s an aphrodisiac.”

Chapter

Forty-Eight

Wraith held out the vial with the pale-pink liquid inside.

“An aphrodisiac?” Konrad’s brows shot up.

Wraith nodded. This had seemed like such a good idea at the time, but now with Konrad staring at him and the vial, Wraith’s stomach was churning.

Earlier that day, he’d gone to some rooms being used by those from Necros. Not his family’s room. He’d decided he did not wish to go back there after the last time.

No. They were quarters belonging to some dignitaries from Necros. Still, he’d been very nervous about entering. He’d received some glances, but no one spoke to him or demanded to know why he was there. And no one had told him to fuck off, which was nice.

Then he’d pulled one of the servants into a room and asked for a vial of the aphrodisiac.

“You see, aphrodisiacs are commonly used in Necros. But I’d never used one, as I’ve never had sex with anyone living before.” Wraith furrowed his brows. “I suppose I could have used one with the ghosts. But I never really considered it. Also, I’m not sure if it would have been such a good idea.”

Konrad stepped forward. He took the vial from Wraith’s hand and held it up. Then he smiled at Wraith. He lifted a finger, running it up the front of Wraith’s throat.

“So you want to try this?” Konrad asked, voice husky.

Wraith’s breath caught. He nodded.