Page 128 of Courting the Dragon King

Several monks shook their heads.

“See!” The grand monk gestured to them. “We adored her, but we killed her because she stood in the way of us achieving our goal. Do you think we wish to compel you to obey us?” the grand monk asked.

“Do you think we relish killing civilians who oppose us? We’d prefer to believe you and the other royal families are capable of peace. But we have seen no evidence of that. None.”

“So everyone will be controlled?” Wraith looked between the monks. “No one will be able to choose or think for themselves?”

Konrad scoffed. “So this peace will only exist because no one has any choice? What about freedom?”

“It is what has to be done.” The grand monk held up a hand. “Peace at all costs. Even at the cost of personal freedom.”

At the start, Konrad could understand the grand monk’s perspective, even if he did not like it. But now … he did not understand the grand monk at all. “What is the point of peace if you take away a person’s ability to act or think for themselves? Or if you kill anyone, including civilians, who opposes you?”

“You do not understand, King Konrad, because you have not truly seen the sufferings caused by war and by you.” The grand monk’s voice rose. “But I have, and I believe what we have done and will do is righteous. For the vast majority, this will be a great improvement. The age of the dragons is done. Now the doves will rise. Peace will reign. A new future is upon us!”

Then the grand monk turned to Wraith’s aunt. “High Priestess, I have need of your skills.” She knelt on the floor by the shadow queen, who rocked back and forth whilst sobbing. “It is time for us to acquire our second bone dragon.”

“What! No!” Wraith cried out. “Don’t you hurt him. You leave him be.” He shuffled in front of Konrad.

“Don’t worry, King Konrad. I’ve been informed that even as a bone dragon, you will be aware of what occurs around you. So you will have the honour to witness the wonderful new world we create.” The grand monk lifted his hands into the air.

“Grab him,” the grand shield said to four of her warrior doves.

They marched forward. One shoved Wraith aside. Then they grabbed Konrad, yanking him to his feet.

“No!” Wraith screamed. “Please. Don’t hurt him! Please! Please!”

But they didn’t listen. They dragged Konrad to the altar. He struggled. But it was no use. They shoved him onto his back.

The doves wrapped chains around his chest and bound him to the altar, then stepped away. Konrad looked at the bone dragon, his father.

Dragon gods. I don’t want that to be my fate.

“Don’t kill him!” Wraith wailed. “Please!”

Tears streaked Wraith’s cheeks. One warrior stood over him, hand gripping his shoulder and holding him in place.

“I’m so sorry, Wraith.” Although, Konrad wasn’t entirely sure what he was apologising for. He was sorry for letting Wraith down, for betraying him, for not believing him, and for the pain Konrad’s death would cause him.

But if Konrad was going to die, then he wanted Wraith to know. “I love you, Wraith. So much. I wish we could have had more time together.”

Wraith choked.

“And King Consort Wraith,” the grand monk said to Wraith, “despite what the shadow king and queen said, I won’t actually be needing you to control King Konrad. I will be more than capable of doing that on my own, since he, too, has signed a contract.”

Then he turned to the altar. “What is the best way to kill King Konrad to prepare him for being a bone dragon?”

The high priestess drew her blade. Her hand trembled. “As long as the skeleton is intact, the method of death is of no great import.”

“Then proceed as you see fit.” The grand monk waved at Konrad’s body.

The high priestess glanced at the dead shadow king, princess, and prince, who lay only a few steps away. She swallowed and lifted the blade above her head, gaze fixed on Konrad’s chest.

Konrad tensed. This is it. This is how I die.

A shadow passed before the window. The unmistakable sound of beating dragon wings filled the air. Konrad turned his head. He exhaled.

Dragons flew outside: Senta, Gerard, Luther, Leon, and Barrett.