Page 107 of Courting the Dragon King

Wraith shook his head. “No. Never!”

Umbra barked louder.

“We know you’ve been meeting with others from Necros.” Konrad lifted a hand and gestured to the guards. They stepped forward.

“No. Konrad, I didn’t do anything wrong.” Wraith ran to Konrad, clutching at his coat, tugging on the fabric. “You have to believe me. Please, Konrad!”

Konrad stared at him, expression icy. Two of the guards grabbed Wraith, fingers digging into his arms. Konrad didn’t move as the guards yanked Wraith away.

“Konrad! Please!” Wraith yelled. “You promised to protect and look after me! You promised!”

Konrad stared blankly at him as Wraith struggled to break free from the guards’ hold.

Umbra barked wildly. “I will stop them! I will fight for you! I will save you!”

The guards dragged Wraith into the corridor, where Gerard stood.

“Gerard, I didn’t do anything!” Wraith cried out. “Please. You have to believe me!”

Then Wraith spotted Elias behind Gerard. He frowned. But Wraith noticed that Elias held his hands out to his sides, fingers tensed, as if ready to unleash lightning on Wraith.

“Elias! Please!” Wraith screamed as the tears fell. “I’m your friend. I never plotted to harm anyone! I promise.”

Elias took a step forward. He opened his mouth, but Gerard spoke first, “We just need to ask you some questions, Wraith.”

“About what?” But Wraith knew.

Konrad had told him. They thought him a deceitful necromancer who would betray and attack them. They believed he wanted to kill and bring back Konrad as one of the undead. He didn’t know why they thought that. But whatever they’d learnt, it was enough for all of them to turn on him.

Wraith glanced back into the bedroom. Konrad stood by the window, staring out. He wasn’t even watching. Wraith sagged between the guards, the fight going out of him.

It seemed his new family disliked him even more than his old one.

The guards began to pull him down the corridor.

“I didn’t do it,” Wraith whispered. “I didn’t do anything.” A sob escaped him.

“We will get to the bottom of everything, Wraith. We just need you to answer questions. Okay,” Gerard said, voice soft but firm.

“And you needed all these guards for that?” Wraith asked.

Because not only had six guards entered the room, but many more stood in the corridor, hands on swords, ready to slay Wraith if he proved a threat. Which was laughable. Wraith lacked the skills to be an actual threat.

He was helpless. Completely and utterly helpless in his enemies’ den.

“We need to take precautions,” Gerard said. “But I promise that you will not be mistreated or harmed. We do not know anything for certain yet. As I said, we just need to ask you some questions. So remain calm and we’ll soon work everything out.”

But Wraith could not believe that they did not think him guilty. Otherwise, why would they treat him like this? Perhaps Wraith’s new home would be the dungeon in the Castle of the Dragons. There was nothing in the marriage contract that forbade Konrad from keeping him prisoner for the rest of his life.

And this will be my fresh start.

Umbra barked. “I will not let them hurt you!” The scent of incense and smoke increased in the air.

“Can you get her under control?” Gerard asked. “Please.”

Umbra bounded around the guards. They stood firm, but they watched her warily.

“Umbra. You should stop.” Although, Wraith was uncertain why he would help those trying to imprison and question him.