Page 76 of Courting the Dragon King

“I read an old book, a reaper’s journal from over a hundred years ago,” Wraith said. “She passed out quite a few times because she’d forgotten to eat. She theorised that it was because she existed with one foot into the beyond, and as a result sometimes forgot the needs of her physical body.

“I think being a reaper might also be why I’m a bit scatter-brained,” Wraith confessed. “I struggle to keep up with the constant happenings taking place. The reaper, she wrote that it was hard to be concerned with the living when the dead are so loud.”

“Is that why you aren’t on top of all the treaty details?” Konrad asked.

“Maybe,” Wraith said. “I think so. It’s not that I don’t care about the treaty. I want the war to end and for peace to be obtained. I just get forgetful.”

Which had come up a couple of times when Wraith was talking with Konrad and the others. They’d been surprised at some of the things he didn’t know. Things that were supposedly quite basic.

“I know you care, Wraith.” Konrad squeezed his hand. “Have you ever passed out, like the other reaper did, from not eating?”

Wraith nodded. “I’ve collapsed a few times, and sometimes I get very tired. I usually sleep a great deal.” He sighed. “But it’s so hard to remember to eat multiple times every single day!”

“Well, when you move to Draconia, we’ll assign you a servant to assist you. They can remind you to eat.” Konrad’s brows lowered. “I do not want you to collapse or waste away.”

Wraith tilted his head. “I doubt I would waste away completely. Necromancers absorb death energy.”

“Death energy?” Konrad sounded wary.

“When someone dies, they release energy,” Wraith said. “That energy can be absorbed by necromancers without even trying. Certain places, where many have died or been buried, are strong sources of energy. Events can be large sources of energy too, like plagues or battles.”

“So this death energy, it is used to maintain yourself and to practice necromantic arts?” Konrad asked slowly.

“Yes.” Wraith hesitated. “You can also create death energy. Sacrifices are one way to create concentrated death energy for a specific instance. The method of death and the rituals used amplify the energy released upon death.”

Konrad let out a long breath.

“That sort of energy can also be stored in amulets and other trinkets,” Wraith said.

“For future use?” Konrad asked, voice tense.

“Yes.” Then he rushed out, “But I’ve never sacrificed anyone or stored death energy from sacrifices for future use.” Wraith knew Konrad would look down on all that, and he did not want Konrad to associate any of that with him.

Even when creating the dread knights, he’d not needed additional energy. The death energy released when the Chosen stabbed themself was more than enough to turn them into a dread knight.

“I’m glad,” Konrad said.

They entered the banquet hall. Conversation buzzed. Cutlery scraped against plates. A monk played a hurdy-gurdy tonight.

Konrad led Wraith to the head Draconian table.

“Konrad! Wraith! We were wondering where you were.” Elias sipped wine. “Sit! Sit! Tell us what you’ve been up to today.”

Chapter

Thirty-Eight

Konrad held out Wraith’s chair, and he sat. Then Konrad took the seat beside him. Their guards took up positions by the wall, keeping an eye on Konrad and Wraith whilst also looking out for any danger.

They’d protect Konrad and Wraith. But Wraith’s guards would also spy on him.

The closer Konrad got to Wraith, the less well the spying sat. But at least Konrad had very little to do with all that. The guards reported to Gerard and Senta, who’d inform Konrad if there was anything he needed to know. But so far, they had not.

It’s not like I am spying on him myself. Konrad just knew about it and had ordered it to be done.

And the guards were there to protect Wraith too! It wasn’t like their only job was to spy on him. Which made the whole thing less bad. Or at least that was what Konrad kept telling himself.

In his gut, Konrad did not believe that Wraith was involved in the plotting. Perhaps the necromancers were, but not Wraith. Still, it would be foolish to trust him so completely and so soon. And so the spying on Wraith would continue. At least for now.