Page 110 of Courting the Dragon King

Umbra’s ears lay flat against her head. She growled.

“I don’t like the idea either,” he said. “But I don’t know what else to do or where I can go. I don’t have any good options right now.”

Umbra bared her fangs, clearly unhappy with the plan.

“Umbra, can you please open the door in my family’s quarters?”

The Bone Door appeared and swung open. On the other side, he could see the room for the Necros royal family. Wraith stood.

“Thank you, Umbra.” He took a deep breath and stepped through the door.

Chapter

Fifty-Four

Wraith entered the Necros royal family quarters. Umbra bounded forth, circling him protectively. The Bone Door clicked shut behind them.

“I really don’t want to be here,” Wraith whispered as they walked along the empty corridor.

With Konrad, he’d hoped to find a family who loved and accepted him. But apparently, that didn’t exist for him anywhere. So he was back here with the family who’d always hated him.

“Where is everyone?” He couldn’t see any servants or guards.

He walked to his mother’s room. He’d prefer to explain things to her rather than the shadow king or his siblings. His siblings would probably find the idea of Wraith being a prisoner amusing.

The shadow king would be outraged when he heard how Wraith had been treated by Konrad and his family. Not because he cared for Wraith, but because Wraith was a shadow prince of Necros. So Shadow King Lament would have to defend Wraith. His pride would demand it.

The door to his mother’s room stood open. She shook her closed hand. Bones rattled inside. She flung the bones. They scattered onto the table. She leaned forward and gazed with unblinking grey eyes.

She straightened and turned. “Wraith.” She stood and approached him, gaze flicking over him. Her plain black gown swept along the floor. “Speak. You have something important to tell me.”

Wraith cleared his throat. “Konrad and all the Draconians believe I have betrayed them and I was part of some plot to kill Konrad. But it’s not true. I never—” His throat closed up.

“I would never do that.” His voice trembled. “I would never hurt him or do anything against them.” He dropped his gaze, not wanting his mother to see the tears brimming in his eyes.

“You care for him.”

Wraith blinked rapidly.

“I saw how you looked at him. I saw how enamoured you were,” his mother said. “Your feelings for him were so obvious to all.”

Wraith shut his eyes. Tears fell. Umbra rubbed against his legs.

“You have been so foolish.”

Wraith’s eyes snapped open.

His mother shook her head. “Of course the dragon king would betray you. He hates necromancers. Did you think he would make an exception for you? Did you think you were special? Or that you had something to offer him to make him forget what and who you are?”

Wraith shook his head. “I don’t⁠—”

“Did you really think he could love you as you loved him?”

Wraith drew back. “I didn’t say I loved him.”

She raised her brows. “So you don’t?”

Wraith looked away. “I don’t know.” He cared for Konrad. He’d developed feelings for him. And he knew he had been falling. But he’d thought he could allow those feelings to develop. That he’d confess them for Konrad when he was ready and more certain of his own feelings. And Konrad’s.