Page 137 of Courting the Dragon King

He wondered if healers would continue to train at the Dove Healing Academy after all the monks had done. Wraith glanced around. They were still at the White Monastery.

What has occurred whilst I slept?

“We won, right?” The end of the battle was hazy in Wraith’s memory. But he was pretty certain of that. And if they hadn’t won, he doubted they’d be alive.

“We did.” Konrad watched the healer probe and prod at Wraith. “But you don’t have to worry about any of that right now. You’re safe. Everything is fine. Just rest and recover. That’s the most important thing.”

He cares so much about me. But Wraith had thought that before too.

Healer Doran took a step back from the bed. “Can you stand up for me, please, King Consort?”

Konrad tugged the sheets back from over Wraith. Someone had changed him into a sleeping gown whilst he’d been unconscious. He assumed it had been Konrad.

Umbra hopped down off the bed, and Wraith stood.

“Lift your arms, please.” The healer got him to perform some basic movements whilst he examined Wraith. Then, finally, he said, “Well, you look to be in good form. I think you’ll make a full recovery after some rest and proper eating. Which I’m sure His Majesty will ensure you get.”

“I will,” Konrad said. “Thank you, Healer Doran. That will be all for now.”

The healer left just as the servant returned with a tray of bone broth, bread, and some strange greenish liquid in a carafe. “It’s a herbal drink from Botanial,” the servant explained. “It is used to aid recovery. It was sent by Prince Ash.”

“Thank you, Louise,” Konrad said.

Wraith returned to bed at Konrad’s prompting. Umbra lay beside him, but she watched Wraith carefully, as if she wasn’t convinced he was fine.

Konrad fluffed up Wraith’s pillows and placed them behind him. Then he tucked the blankets around Wraith’s body. He moved a side table right next to the bed and placed the tray of food on top of it.

“Do you want me to start a fire or call a bath for you? Or maybe you want to sleep more?” Konrad asked, clearly eager to see to Wraith’s needs. Or maybe this was guilt for how he’d treated Wraith the previous morning.

Was it really just the previous morning? It felt like an age. And he’d slept for most of that period of time.

“I think I’ve had enough sleep for now, but maybe a bath,” Wraith said. “Feeling clean would be nice.”

Konrad strode to the door and ordered the servants to draw him a bath.

Wraith consumed the bone broth and the bread, his appetite coming back as he ate. He drank the green herbal drink, nose wrinkling.

Konrad chuckled as he returned to Wraith’s bedside. “Is it not to your taste?”

“It’s very bitter.” He gulped down the rest. “But I feel a lot better after having eaten and drunk.”

“That’s good.”

When the bath was full, Wraith walked towards it, Konrad at his elbow, perhaps ready to catch him if he fell. Wraith sank into the hot bath. He sighed as the citrus-scented water engulfed him.

Konrad placed a stool beside the tub and sat. He poured liquid from a bottle on a washcloth. Wraith reached out to take it, but Konrad shook his head. “Allow me.”

Wraith settled back. Konrad leaned forward, moving the cloth over Wraith’s chest in circles.

Wraith hummed in pleasure.

“Lean forward,” Konrad said when he’d finished Wraith’s torso.

When Wraith did so, Konrad washed his back. He cleaned every inch of Wraith. Then he washed Wraith’s hair, strong fingers massaging his scalp. Wraith would have enjoyed the gentle attention, except he couldn’t get past what had happened before the battle the previous day.

Konrad had apologised during the fighting. He’d even told Wraith he loved him. Still … Wraith felt they should talk about it, even though a part of him just wanted to enjoy Konrad’s kind and gentle attentions.

Konrad picked up a comb and brushed Wraith’s hair.