Page 25 of Courting the Dragon King

He opened a random door and found himself in a tiny room with rags, wooden buckets, and vials of solutions. Was this some sort of cleaning closet? He entered and shut the door behind him, blocking out all the light. He dropped onto the floor and wrapped his arms around himself.

I am married, and the person I am married to loathes me.

He squeezed his eyes shut. He rocked back and forth. “Come to me, Umbra. Come to me. Come to me. I need you!”

The hellhound appeared. She rested her paws on Wraith’s knees. Wraith wrapped his arms around her, burying his face amongst the wispy fur.

Umbra nuzzled him.

“I’m married, and he didn’t even speak to me. He just left. He hates me so much!”

Umbra whined.

Wraith had known for days that Konrad despised him. But as he’d stood there in that chamber, actually binding himself to the dragon king and knowing what that would mean for his future had slammed into him.

He’d thought this marriage might be an opportunity for a fresh start and a better future. A bitter laugh escaped him. He did not think that now.

“I don’t want to be married to him.” He squeezed Umbra.

There had been a moment before the ceremony when he’d considered running away. Then during, he’d wondered what would happen if he’d just not gone through with it. If he said he didn’t agree, if he just refused to sign his name, or give over drops of his blood.

“What will happen now? What will happen when I go to Draconia? What will he do to me?” Perhaps Konrad would ignore Wraith. But what if he didn’t? What if his hatred manifested in a physical or torturous way?

“I’m scared,” Wraith whispered.

“I will fight him! I will protect you!” Umbra barked.

Wraith let out a shaky laugh. “Thank you.”

Although, he knew that would be impossible. Umbra could not fight Konrad. She lacked any sort of true physical form. Only Wraith, as her creator, could hear or touch her. Well, the dead could too. And although Umbra had powers, they did not extend to the capacity to harm Konrad.

Wraith remained where he was, face pressed to Umbra’s body. Time ticked past. But Wraith paid it no mind. Right now he felt safe in the dark with his hellhound.

Sometime later, the door opened. Wraith blinked at the sudden flooding of light. A monk let out a scream.

“I’m sorry.” Wraith jumped to his feet.

But the monk’s gaze was on Umbra, who sat on her hind legs. The monk stumbled backwards, tripping over her robes and almost falling.

“Depart,” Wraith said to Umbra, pouring his will into the words to make it a command.

Umbra disappeared. She had no choice but to obey his commands.

“I’m sorry,” Wraith said to the startled monk, who still had not recovered from finding Wraith and his hellhound in the cupboard.

She did not respond. She just clutched her chains. He rushed passed her and headed for the banquet hall. When he entered, everyone appeared to already be seated. Food sat on tables. Wine had been poured and drunk.

I am late to my own wedding banquet.

He darted to the table at the front of the banquet hall, which was filled with long wooden tables. The eyes of people from the six different kingdoms, plus the Monks of the Way of the Dove, followed Wraith.

But he was most aware of King Konrad staring blankly at him.

Wraith sat beside him. “I … I am sorry for being late.”

Konrad stared at him for several long seconds. Wraith tensed. Then Konrad looked away. A servant approached and poured wine. Wraith broke off a bit of bread and placed it in his mouth.

The grand monk rose at the table where the monks sat. He smiled. Slowly the crowd fell silent as they noticed him standing and waiting patiently.