Page 121 of Courting the Dragon King

“Never!” Konrad’s voice echoed.

“You can’t control them. You know you can’t,” Wraith said. “You lack the ability.”

“Perhaps I can help you understand, King Consort Wraith,” the grand monk said. “King Alaric, like all the rulers, signed a contract when he arrived at the White Monastery. A binding contract, signed with his own blood, using our magic.

“The rulers signed, believing that they were stating their desire to create a peace treaty as well as pledging not to harm the monks.” The grand monk smiled, a gentle, patient smile.

“But the contract was written in the ancient tongue of Lorentath, which none of you understand,” said the grand monk. “We left out the part about having a desire to create a peace treaty, and there was additional information included in the contract that we did not inform the rulers of.

“Like that they must submit to and obey my will.” Then the grand monk turned towards the altar and the necromancers chanting. “King Alaric signed the contract, and thus he gave us power over him. We will use that to control him in death.”

Wraith gaped.

“This means that, with the monks’ assistance, we will also be able to control the other rulers who signed as well,” the shadow queen said. “They will be excellent additions to our undead army.”

“People really should not sign contracts they do not understand. Especially when blood magic is involved,” the grand monk said.

“But why would you help them, Grand Monk?” Konrad asked. “You’re meant to be about peace! That’s what you go on and on and on about. Instead you are helping the necromancers with their vile plans to take over the kingdoms? How many innocents will suffer under their rule?”

The grand monk just stared back at him, with his kind, patient smile.

Konrad turned to his cousin. “Clara, didn’t you give up your land and title to make up for what you did in the war? Do you think this will help you atone? Why are you helping these necromantic monsters who plan to turn me and my father into bone dragons?”

“The monks understood where true power lies, King Konrad,” the shadow king said, voice cold. “They wished to assist us and be a part of this new world we build.”

“That makes no fucking sense!” Konrad yelled at the monks. “You want peace.” He gestured with his shackled hands to the necromancers. “This is not fucking peace!”

But the shadow king kept talking, gaze on his wife. “We will raise a massive undead army, to rule over all.”

“No kingdom can stand against us,” said the shadow queen. “We will slaughter the ruling houses and turn them into our undead thralls. They will serve us and fight for us.”

“And we will keep raising our army of the undead, thousands upon thousands upon thousands. No one will stand against us! No one could!” The shadow king’s triumphant voice echoed throughout the crypt.

Then he turned and smiled at the grand monk. “And you and your kind will be greatly rewarded. We will remember your servitude.”

The monks bowed.

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” the grand monk said.

What the fuck was going on? Konrad could not comprehend why the monks would want necromancers ruling the kingdoms.

Then the shadow queen approached Wraith. He leaned away, his dark eyes wary as he stared up at his mother.

She sighed. “I really had hoped you’d prove loyal to me and Necros. But you will still be of use.” She leaned down and stroked his cheek, fingernails grazing the skin. “You will be slaughtered.”

Wraith flinched.

“You and your King Konrad. I will control you, Wraith. You may be weak and feckless, but you are still blood of my blood. And there is always power in blood bonds. When you die, I will bring you back and control you through our bond, and you will control your dead dragon husband through the bonds you two share.”

“What?” Wraith choked.

“It’s a little convoluted, I admit, but it should work. You two are bound together through the marriage contract. And the feelings you hold for each other have strengthened that bond,” she said. “It would have been far simpler if you’d just agreed to do as I asked. But it will be the same outcome in the end. Just more complicated and with you dead too.”

“But I’m your son,” Wraith whispered.

“Yes. You are.” Then she straightened. “Wraith is my son. But I will kill him with my own hands to prove my dedication to Necros and to my king.” She turned her gaze to her husband. “I have not always been a true and loyal queen, but I hope the sacrifice I make of my son will show where my loyalty lies.”

The shadow king took his wife’s pale hand. “I recognise this sacrifice that you make here today. I thank you for it. You are my queen, and I am grateful that you will be by my side as the age of the necromancer begins.” He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it.