Page 29 of Courting the Dragon King

Are we about to leave?

His stomach spasmed. He did not wish to remain in the banquet hall. But he did not wish to be alone with the dragon king. All Wraith wanted was to summon Umbra and hide somewhere out of the way, where they would bother no one and no one would bother them.

Konrad stopped directly in front of him. He held out his hand. “Shall we depart?”

Swallowing, Wraith placed his hand in Konrad’s larger one. Konrad’s strong fingers wrapped around his. He might have looked forward to his wedding night with such a handsome man. But all Wraith felt was fear, bordering on blind panic.

They walked from the banquet hall, Konrad’s guards trailing after them. A smattering of applause followed them out.

The dragon king walked with long strides. Wraith had to lengthen his to keep up.

Wraith’s hand in Konrad’s shook. They’d be alone tonight. And Wraith did not know what to expect. Konrad despised him. That was clear. He did not try to hide that or his displeasure.

With each step they took, he felt his insides quake. They silently walked to a part of the monastery Wraith had never been. Wraith wanted to turn, yank his hand from Konrad’s, and flee. But he knew he could not.

I wish Umbra was here. At least for moral support.

Guards in Draconian livery stood before a door. Two of them opened it.

This must be their quarters. But still Konrad did not speak as he led Wraith down a corridor. Everywhere Wraith looked, there were guards. Guards outside doors and within rooms.

Enemies on all sides. I’m surrounded.

Konrad opened a door and led Wraith inside. Two more guards stood inside.

They bowed to Konrad.

“Your Majesty,” one of the guards said. “We will be just outside, and we will remain alert and at attention.” She glanced at Wraith, a slight curl to her lip. “We will be ready in case you have any need of us.”

Gods of the beyond. Even the guards hate me!

“Good.” Konrad dropped Wraith’s hand and stalked further into the room.

The two guards left, joining the others already outside. They closed the door after them, leaving Wraith completely alone with his husband.

Wraith looked around the room. It was larger than his own, with a sitting area, a four-poster bed, and a bathtub.

Konrad removed his crown. He placed it down on a dresser and stared down at it. Wraith wrapped his arms around his stomach. With every passing second, his breath came faster.

He glanced at the closed door. At least in the Necros quarters, he was left alone. What would happen to him here?

Chapter

Sixteen

Konrad stared down at his crown. He touched the metal. Today he had done his duty as ruler of Draconia. But there was still more to do.

He had to bed the necromancer prince. Slowly, he turned towards his husband. Konrad froze. Because Wraith looked … terrified.

Wraith’s arms were wrapped tightly around himself. His shoulders remained tensed and hunched. His gaze jerked to the door, as if he was looking for an escape so he could flee. And was he shaking?

Konrad frowned. “What is wrong?”

Wraith’s gaze snapped to his. His arms around himself spasmed. “I … nothing is wrong.” His voice trembled.

“Are you scared?” Konrad took a step forward.

Wraith took a step back.