Page 106 of Courting the Dragon King

“I had to admit it was clever, pretending to be some sad outcast who all the necromancers and even his own family disliked. It really made me think you weren’t like the others and that you were above all the evil shit your kind do.”

“I don’t understand,” Wraith whispered.

“Sure you don’t, Wraith.” Konrad’s eyes narrowed. “You can drop the act now. I know the truth. Now tell me, was the whole being strange and odd an act to dupe us into thinking you were not a real threat? Or are you really that weird?”

Wraith reeled. “I’ve never tried to dupe anyone.” Although he knew many saw him as odd, strange, and weird, he’d not known Konrad had too.

“And then you just kept talking about how you were just an innocent reaper. You never did anything vile during the war.” He glared at Wraith. “But I know you made those fucking monstrous dread knights,” he spat.

Umbra ran to stand between them. She stared at Konrad, ears flat. A low growl escaped her. Konrad ignored her.

Wraith opened his mouth. But he had no idea what to say. None of this made any sense. He had made the dread knights. But he’d never denied he’d done so. Why was Konrad turning on him like this? “I … I … I … ”

“What? Can’t think of a new lie off the top of your head? Come now, Wraith, you’re cleverer than that. Stop playing the fucking fool!”

Wraith’s eyes stung. “Why are you doing this? Why are you saying these awful things?”

“I can’t believe you are still pretending. Just stop! I know what you are. A monstrous fucking necromancer.” Konrad’s voice echoed in the room.

And in Konrad’s eyes, Wraith could see the hatred that Wraith had seen at the very start of their relationship. But now Konrad wasn’t holding back.

Wraith didn’t know why Konrad hated him again. Or how to change it. But the way Konrad looked at him made him want to shrivel up on the floor and scream.

“Are you really illegitimate or was that just another lie to earn you sympathy?” Konrad barked.

Tears spilled down Wraith’s cheeks. He shook his head. “What are you talking about?”

Konrad scoffed. “Bravo, Wraith! What a brilliant performance!”

Wraith flinched.

“You really are committed to this act,” Konrad said. “But I know it’s all a lie!”

Wraith hunched his shoulders. “Why would you think I’m lying?”

“Maybe because we received information telling us that you have been working with the other necromancers, plotting with them to attack us.” Konrad lifted his chin. “Plotting with them to kill me and bring me back as an undead creature. Perhaps a bone dragon!”

Wraith couldn’t move. It felt like the floor had disappeared from beneath his feet. He was falling, spiralling through the air. And there was no one to catch or save him.

“I would never.” Then Wraith realised that six of the guards had entered the room, including his own two personal guards, Karl and Lina. They stood by the door, hard and unflinching gazes fixed on Wraith. Their hands rested on the hilts of their swords.

Weren’t my guards meant to protect me?

Maybe Karl and Lina were assigned to me so they could protect others from me.

Wraith dropped his gaze. Had Konrad ever trusted him? Or had he always seen Wraith as a threat?

“Did you ever even see my dead father? Or was that more lies?” Konrad spat.

“No. I never lied!” Wraith shook his head.

This was not the man who’d spent the night with him; this was not the man who’d danced with him and promised to share his family with Wraith. This was the man who hated necromancers and who suddenly remembered Wraith was one.

“I didn’t lie,” Wraith said. “And I didn’t betray you. I would never want to harm you or hurt you.”

Konrad sneered and turned away. Wraith wanted to throw himself on the floor and weep. Umbra barked at Konrad.

“So you didn’t want me murdered and brought back?” Konrad asked.