Page 89 of Courting the Dragon King

The ballroom was only about a quarter full, and most of those in attendance were actually just guards or warrior monks.

Many from the different kingdoms had already returned home. Those who remained stood in small clusters, whispering together and glancing furtively around. They all gathered close to the walls as if worried of a sudden attack from behind.

The music swirled. But there was little laughter, and no one danced at present. The dead moving around the ballroom appeared livelier than the living.

Perhaps part of the issue was that the treaty had not yet been finalised and everyone worried it would not be. After all, those who had been working against the treaty had not been caught. Furthermore, the grand healer was dead and the murderer unknown. So everyone was understandably on edge.

However, the necromancers were different. Unlike the other kingdoms, the number of those from Necros had not decreased. Right now, his mother spoke to the grand monk. Wraith could not see the shadow king, but Vex and Harrow laughed and talked with several others from Necros.

Wraith had gone to his family’s quarters the day after he got the letter from his mother. But she’d said she no longer needed to speak to him. His siblings had been crueller than usual, as if they’d gotten used to not seeing him and now could not tolerate the sight of him.

“What are you doing back?” Harrow had barked.

“Seriously, Wraith. Just get the fuck out of here!” Vex had said.

Harrow had sneered. “No one wants you around.”

So Wraith had left.

Wraith knew Konrad did not like nor trust those from Necros. But Konrad was still not sure if they were the ones who’d killed his father and were trying to stop the peace treaty from being completed.

Wraith wasn’t sure either. He was from Necros. He was a necromancer. But he’d been kept on the outside his entire life. As such, he had no idea if any necromancer was involved with the plotting.

A couple of ghosts danced out across the ballroom floor. Ghosts interacting was rare. It usually meant they’d been close in life and death. He’d seen mothers and fathers carrying babies and young children, he’d seen soldiers charging together at an invisible enemy, and he’d recently seen those two men fishing.

“There you are, Wraith.” Elias strode towards him, holding two goblets. A tall man with steady brown eyes accompanied him. Elias held out a goblet towards Wraith. “This is for you.”

Wraith took it. “Thank you.”

Then Elias gestured to the man by his side. “And this is my stepbrother, Crown Prince Matteo, future ruler of the combined Kingdoms of Zephyrias and Voltaria.”

Prince Matteo inclined his head. “Pleasure to meet you, King Consort Wraith.”

“Thank you, Prince Matteo,” Wraith said. “It’s a pleasure meeting you too.”

Prince Matteo smiled and then turned to Elias. “As I was saying, Elias, I would appreciate some assistance dealing with Emperor Hugo.”

Elias smiled brightly. “No chance.”

Prince Matteo’s jaw ticked.

“Look, Matteo, if my father drunkenly stumbling around as he mourns your mother, the woman who wanted him and his son dead, is bothering you, just ask the monks to put you somewhere else. Then you won’t have to look at my father again. Problem solved.”

“He is still your father, Elias,” Prince Matteo bit out.

Elias sipped his wine, not acknowledging Prince Matteo’s comment. “Actually, I have a great idea! When you return to Zephyrias, just leave him here and let the monks take care of him. You can make a large donation to them in exchange for their assistance.”

“He is still the emperor.”

“Only in name.” Elias waved a hand. “He hasn’t been running any kingdom since his traitorous, not-so-loving wife died.” Then he placed his hand on Matteo’s arm. “Sorry to speak poorly of your dead mother.”

Prince Matteo exhaled. “I am going to go speak to Queen Azalea Rosewood. I have matters to discuss with her.”

Elias raised his goblet. “Good luck.”

As soon as Prince Matteo was out of earshot, Elias exhaled loudly. “He will be an excellent ruler or is an excellent ruler, since he is actually the one running our kingdoms right now, but flash and lightning, he is such a dullard of a human being. A real damp cloth. And he just goes on and on, telling me what to do. I do not like being told what to do! Anyway, how are you enjoying the ball so far?”

“It’s been nice. Have you seen Konrad?” Wraith had lost track of his husband earlier in the evening.