Page 102 of Courting the Dragon King

“Really?” Konrad shared a glance with Gerard. Despite being cousins, they’d spent very little time with each other in recent years.

Martin nodded. “And I hope you don’t mind me saying so, but she seems quite distressed.”

“Show her in immediately,” Konrad said.

Chapter

Fifty-One

Konrad stood as their cousin burst into the room.

“Clara, what’s wrong?” Konrad asked.

Sweat glimmered on her shaved head. “I’m so sorry for disturbing you, but I had to tell you something urgently.”

“Take a seat.” Then Konrad turned to Martin and said, “Please pour her some tea.”

Clara collapsed into the chair, breathing heavily.

“Clara, what has happened?” Konrad came up beside her.

Clara reached for the cup, holding it between her palms. “I was in the garden attached to the rooms provided for the Necros royal family.”

The hairs on the back of Konrad’s neck immediately stood on end.

“They have servants of their own to attend to them and see to their needs, but we monks look after the gardens.” She put down her cup, tea untouched. “They didn’t realise I was there. We usually tend the gardens in the late afternoon, but yesterday, I had a migraine. So I went this morning instead.”

She swallowed. “I was working away, pruning the bushes. I was near a window. Then I realised I could hear the royal family talking in a sitting room. At first, I didn’t pay them much attention. But then I realised what they were speaking about.”

“Which was?” Konrad prompted.

She glanced between them. Then she looked to the doorway. “Where is King Consort Wraith?”

Konrad’s muscles tensed. “Why?”

She licked her lips. “Because what I have to say concerns him.” She lowered her voice. “I don’t want him to overhear me.”

Ice slid down Konrad’s spine. He opened his mouth, but no words came forth.

“He is asleep in his room. You are safe here. Please, continue.” Gerard leaned forward.

“The Necros royal family are plotting against the peace treaty,” Clara said. “King Consort Wraith is a part of it.”

Konrad couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t move. Finally he managed, “No. That isn’t possible.”

Wraith’s family hated him. They hurt him. He wouldn’t be working with them to betray Konrad.

“I’m sorry. But it’s true,” Clara said. “I heard the shadow king and queen and their two children talking about it. They, along with the king consort, are planning to launch an attack against you today.”

Clara hesitated. “They said that he has everything in place and he will be ready to move early afternoon. Before the treaty is finished.”

Konrad shook his head. “I don’t believe it.” He took a step back. “I don’t believe it.”

But Clara just kept speaking. “They said the king consort has been doing a good job getting you to trust him and believe him to be some sort of outcast, when really he has been working with them the entire time, feeding them information, and planning to destroy the Royal House of Draconia.”

Konrad just kept shaking his head. He didn’t know what else to do.

Then Clara reached into her pocket. She pulled out a skull locket. Konrad recognised it immediately.