Page 135 of Courting the Dragon King

Suddenly, a dread knight carrying a battle-axe ran towards them. Konrad dashed forward to meet him, lifting his sword. The dread knight hefted his axe. Konrad blocked the blow.

Then Wraith shouted, “I break your bonds. I command you to go forth, dread knights. You do not belong here! Go! Go through the Bone Door! I command you to leave this world.”

Suddenly the dread knight lowered his axe. He stared at Wraith, ignoring Konrad completely.

Konrad, not missing the opportunity, swung. The sword sliced across the front of the dread knight’s chest, opening clothing and skin. But the dread knight didn’t so much as flinch.

Then all the other dread knights turned and faced Wraith. Slowly, they walked towards him. The one Konrad had been fighting did the same.

Konrad stepped backwards. He swung once more. But the blade passed straight through the dread knight.

What the fuck?

The dread knight turned completely translucent. All of them did. And every single one walked straight towards Wraith.

Konrad ran and stood in front of his husband. He held up his sword, even whilst knowing he would be unable to defend Wraith against these ghoulish, untouchable opponents.

“Go! I banish you from the world of the living!” Wraith shouted. “Go into the beyond!”

The dread knights broke into a run. Konrad swung his blade. But it connected with nothing. The dread knights ran straight through Konrad and Wraith. A chill passed over Konrad. He gasped, and his lungs clenched.

Konrad turned just in time to see the dread knights disappear at a single point behind Wraith.

Wraith screamed, hair whipping around him. His face scrunched. Konrad dropped his sword and wrapped his arm around Wraith, holding him tight.

Suddenly the cold wind died away. Wraith stopped screaming and sagged in his arms. He breathed heavily.

“Did it work?” Wraith asked, eyes unfocused.

“Yes. It worked. All the dread knights are gone. You did it!” Konrad cupped his cheek. Then he looked around as he held Wraith tight.

The Draconian forces ran towards the undead army and the remaining necromancers.

The wind sorcerers cast a gust of wind, causing several necromancers to stumble or smash into the wall behind them. Elias flung lightning that hit the shadow queen. She jolted and flailed. Onyx threw a stone lid from a tomb, and it crushed another necromancer. Juniper’s vines shot out, entangling two of them.

The reanimated all collapsed.

Konrad scanned the crypt. He let out a laugh. “We did it. There is no one left! We won! I can’t believe we fucking won!”

Ragged cheers broke out. Dragons roared. Konrad turned to Wraith. The smile died on his lips. Wraith’s eyes were half closed.

Umbra barked as she circled the two of them.

“Wraith? What’s wrong?” Konrad asked.

Wraith’s eyes rolled into the back of his head. He slumped.

“Wraith! Wraith!” Konrad shouted.

Umbra’s barking intensified.

“Wraith! Wraith!” Konrad lowered him gently to the ground. He touched his pale cheek. It felt far too cold. “Wraith! Please wake up.” But Wraith did not stir.

Chapter

Sixty-Six

Wraith opened his eyes. He stared at the ceiling above. Rain pattered outside. A greyness permeated the room.