Page 57 of Courting the Dragon King

Konrad swallowed. Did Wraith think he had to leave so soon? Did he think Konrad would deny him the chance to bathe or wash? True, Konrad did not want him in his room, but that didn’t mean he’d cast him out.

“Where do you plan to sleep?” Konrad asked.

“I was thinking in one of the sitting rooms, the one with the cushions.” Wraith paused in his rummaging. His shoulders hunched. “Is … is that okay?”

Konrad closed his eyes. Fire and flames. Gerard had been right about so many things.

Konrad held up a hand. “No. I mean … Don’t⁠—”

Wraith dropped the clothing and placed his hands in his lap. He kept his head down. He held completely still, barely breathing. It was as if he was waiting for Konrad to throw him out.

Konrad swallowed. “I said that I would not harm you and that I would treat you with respect. I meant that.” He took a deep breath. “You are welcome to use this room at any time. You do not need my permission.”

He still didn’t like the idea, but Wraith had no other room. And he did not want to be the arsehole Gerard and Elias thought him to be.

“You may also make requests of the servants, such as asking for a bath or food. And of course you can use the bath now. I’ll call the servants for you.” Konrad walked towards the door. “And what about food? You weren’t at dinner. Have you eaten?”

Wraith’s brows lowered. “Gerard brought wine. I drank some of that.”

Wine was not a meal. “But did you eat?” Konrad pressed, whilst trying to keep his voice pleasant.

Wraith shook his head.

Konrad opened the door, then rang a bell that sat on the stand by it. Martin appeared.

“Your Majesty.” The servant bowed.

“We require a bath, Martin. And can you bring some food?” Konrad asked.

“Of course, Your Majesty,” Martin said. “Right away.”

“Thank you.” Konrad closed the door.

Wraith had gone back to rummaging in his chest. Konrad walked towards him. He stood behind him, uncertain what to say.

Or maybe I just don’t want to say it. “I apologise.”

Wraith turned and blinked up at him. “For what?”

“For being harsh earlier. I promised to show you respect, and my fulfilment of that promise has been somewhat lacking. And I should not have pulled out a dagger on your—” Konrad hesitated. “—pet hellhound.”

“Oh.” Wraith rested his hands in his lap.

“What is a hellhound exactly?” Konrad asked.

“I … well, it’s a hellhound. It’s …” Wraith frowned. “She’s like a dog. But not alive.”

“Is it dangerous?”

“No.” Wraith vehemently shook his head. “She can’t touch the living, except me, since I made her. So it’s impossible for her to hurt anyone.” He paused. “Except …”

Konrad braced himself. So the hellhound wasn’t completely harmless. Gerard and Elias were wrong, and Konrad had been right!

“When she was alive, during the few times she had enough energy, she’d chase birds or mice. But she never caught any!” Wraith rushed out. “She just barked and ran after them. But she wasn’t a fast or strong dog. She was actually quite weak. So she never came close to catching any. I’m sure she scared them though.”

What? Of all the things he’d expected Wraith to say, that was not it. He’d expected, well, something more terrifying from a hellhound.

“Although, honestly, she still likes to chase birds and mice, even though she is dead. She bounds and barks after them. Unfortunately for her, she can’t actually touch them. And I doubt she could catch them even if she could touch them. She’s not a skilled catcher.”