Page 58 of Courting the Dragon King

“I see.” Konrad paused. “I used to have a dog when I was a little boy. A big bruiser called Bones. He used to chase birds and mice too. Had as much luck as your hellhound, it seems.” He chuckled.

Wraith’s shoulders relaxed. A knock sounded on the door.

“Come in,” Konrad called out.

Martin entered. In one hand, he carried a tray with plates of different foods. He held a carafe of water in the other.

“Place them on the table, please,” Konrad said.

Martin entered and did as instructed. Another servant carrying a bucket of steaming hot water also came in and went to the bath.

“Come, you should eat.” Konrad gestured to the sitting area.

Wraith rose and walked over. They both sat. Wraith clasped his hands in his lap. He chewed on his bottom lip.

“Eat.” Konrad gestured to the food. “I wouldn’t want you to be hungry.”

Wraith picked at the bread and nibbled on it. He did not eat like a man famished. Konrad poured two cups of water and placed one in front of Wraith.

“Thank you,” Wraith said.

Konrad remembered Wraith smiling at Elias and talking freely in a way he never had with Konrad.

How can I get him to relax? Or at least be less afraid of me.

Konrad leaned back in his chair and sipped his water. Maybe Konrad just needed to relax and then Wraith would relax too. And Konrad should make sure he did not raise his voice. Or speak too directly.

Problem was, Konrad knew he tended to be direct and forceful. He was used to dealing with his father, his siblings, or other individuals who ran their kingdoms. One had to be direct and forceful when dealing with them or they’d ignore you and your opinions.

But maybe that had not set him up well for interacting with Wraith.

Servants continued to fill the bath as Wraith ate. But he ate like a bird, picking at the food rather than properly eating. No wonder he was so thin. And he’d not seemed to be hungry when Konrad came in, despite having missed dinner. How often did Wraith miss meals?

They sat for several minutes as Wraith ate and drank. When the servants finished filling the bath, they left and closed the door. Wraith sat back.

“Can I meet it?” Konrad asked.

“What?”

“Your hellhound.”

Wraith opened his mouth. Then he closed it.

“I will not pull my dagger out. I am sorry for doing that earlier. I had assumed the hellhound was a threat. But I trust your word that it is not dangerous.” Although, honestly, that was not 100 percent true, but he was open to it being true.

“But if you do not wish me to meet it, that is fine. I understand completely.” Although, he couldn’t deny the twinge he felt in his chest. After all, Elias and Gerard had spent quite a bit of time with the hellhound.

Meanwhile, everything seemed so awkward between him and Wraith. But now that Konrad thought of it, he’d never really been the kind of person to put others at ease. Nor were his other siblings, Gerard, Senta, and Liesel. Maybe their upbringing had not prepared them for this sort of thing.

Luther was the most charming of his full siblings. However, Elias seemed even more charming than him. At least when he wanted to be.

“Okay. But do you promise not to scare her?” Wraith asked.

Scaring a hellhound. Konrad would not have thought it possible. “I do. As long as you promise it is not dangerous.”

“She isn’t.” For a second, Wraith hesitated, wringing his hands together. Then he closed his eyes. “Come, Umbra. Come to me.”

A ball of black smoke grew before them. The smell of smoke and incense filled the air. The smoke swirled, taking form, becoming Wraith’s hellhound.