Page 46 of Courting the Dragon King

Wraith’s lungs convulsed. A friend.

He’d had family before. They’d never wanted him.

But a friend … he’d never had one of those. Not a human friend anyway. With the shadow king’s dislike of Wraith so widely known, no one would dare befriend him. But Wraith doubted that Elias cared what the shadow king thought.

What would it be like to have a friend? Someone who chose to be around you. Who wanted to be around you. Someone to talk with.

“We’ll have time to get to know each other, now that we are both living in these same quarters,” Elias said.

“Yes. That’s right. My belongings were sent here this morning.” Wraith frowned.

Elias tilted his head. His long white hair slid across his shoulders. “Did you not know that your belongings would be sent here?”

“I—” Wraith wondered if he should lie and deny it. But instead he just said, “No. No, I did not know.”

Elias touched his arm. Wraith glanced at his hand.

“Well, you’ll find that these quarters are more than adequate. We have spacious rooms, books, and servants, who will bring us food and wine and whatever our little hearts desire. There are guards everywhere keeping us safe. And you’ll have me for company. And I am excellent company.”

Wraith’s lips tugged into a smile.

Elias smiled back. Then he tucked his arm through Wraith’s and led him back inside. “I’m happy to discuss a wide range of topics. But I do have to confess, I am extremely interested in Necros and necromancy. So anything you want to share about that, anything at all, then I’m all ears. But no pressure.”

“Well, I’m sure I can share a few things,” Wraith said. Not everything had to be kept a secret, and like Elias said, Voltaria and Necros hadn’t been at war.

And Wraith really wanted Elias to be his friend and to like him.

Chapter

Twenty-Four

Konrad nodded to the guards as he and Gerard entered their quarters.

“Well, at least your marriage is off to a wonderful start,” Gerard said. “You got married yesterday, and today you’ve asked your brother to organise guards to spy on him.”

“And to look after him,” Konrad pointed out.

“Right. Of course.” Gerard chuckled. “I strive to have such a trusting marital relationship as you do.”

Konrad glared.

Gerard laughed. Then his expression grew serious. “Honestly, though, I think you are doing the correct thing. He is from Necros, and we do not know where his loyalties lie, so we must keep an eye on him. Especially since he will be living amongst us. I’ll inform the guards within our quarters to keep an eye on him too.”

“Good idea.” Konrad exhaled. It was good to have Gerard’s support in this. “And how are the rest of our defences?”

“As good as we can make them.” Gerard rubbed the back of his neck. “So long as there are no more secret passages in our quarters, we should be fine. And there shouldn’t be. We’ve checked with every method known to man, both magical and physical.”

“Any more information on who the robed figures could be? Or who else could be plotting against us?” Konrad asked, without any hope. If Gerard had found anything out, he’d have told Konrad immediately. But that knowledge didn’t stop Konrad from constantly asking.

Gerard stared ahead for several seconds. Then he sighed. “No. The spies have picked up on nothing unusual. There are rumours, of course. Some say it’s the necromancers, but that’s what people have been saying since the start.

“Some say it’s Warden Jade because her father was a traitor. Others suspect our half-siblings because their mother was a traitor. Then there are those who suspect Emperor Hugo, since his wife was a traitor. But those are all rumours. We have no proof of it being anyone. Most seem to just think it’s those who were closest to other traitors. Or people they don’t like.”

Konrad pursed his lips. His father had accused him over and over again of assuming it was the necromancers just because Konrad disliked them. And it was true, Konrad had no proof. He’d just been certain because the necromancers were evil. But Konrad no longer saw that as enough of a reason to assume they were plotting against the treaty.

They needed evidence. Solid proof. Until they had that, Konrad would not act.

“Honestly, everything seems too still and calm at present.” Gerard scanned the guards they passed. “I don’t trust it. Thankfully, it is only a handful of days until the treaty is completed. Then we can all get the fuck out of here and get back to Draconia.”