Page 9 of Courting the Dragon King

Five

“How do I look, Umbra?” Wraith sat at the vanity in his room.

Umbra circled Wraith, rubbing her wispy body against him.

“You look beautiful!” the hellhound answered. “Beyond amazing! No one has ever been more beautiful than you!”

Although others could see her, no one could hear Umbra speak, except for Wraith, the necromancer who had created her.

Wraith smiled. He leaned down to pat Umbra’s head. “Thank you.”

Umbra sat on her heels, her smoky, translucent tongue lolling.

Of course, Umbra always thought Wraith looked good. But would Wraith’s betrothed think the same?

He fiddled with the silver belt cinched at his waist. He touched a hand to his hair. He met his own gaze in the mirror, trying to decide if he should do anything else for his betrothal ball.

“I hope he likes me,” Wraith said.

“Why wouldn’t he like you? You’re wonderful!” Umbra said. “He’ll adore and love you like I do!”

Wraith smiled. Unfortunately, Wraith was less certain about his future husband’s affection. He adjusted the circlet that rested on his head. It had been fashioned from silver and made to look like bones laid in a circle.

What will my new husband be like? What will his family be like?

He did not know that much about Draconia and its people. But Wraith would need to move there and live in the Castle of the Dragons after his marriage to King Konrad. Wraith would live there for the rest of his life. Wraith tugged at his sleeves and let out a slow breath.

Perhaps it would be an opportunity for a fresh start. Maybe some Draconians might even like him. Possibly he would make friends. He’d never had friends before. But how did one make friends?

“It would be nice to have someone who liked me,” Wraith said as he adjusted the circlet on his head once more.

“I like you!” Umbra jumped, paws resting on Wraith’s legs.

Wraith laughed and patted her head. “I know. And I adore you too.” He paused. “But it would be nice if someone human liked me as well.”

Umbra dropped down and butted her head against Wraith’s shins. “They will like you because you are the best human in the whole world!”

Wraith chuckled. A knock sounded on the door. He turned as it opened. Umbra disappeared in an instant, and a second later Wraith understood why.

Shadow King Lament Grimm stepped into the room. Wraith stood and pulled his shoulders back. Umbra had been ordered by Wraith to always make herself scarce when the shadow king appeared.

“Your Majesty.” Wraith bowed, shocked that the shadow king had entered Wraith’s room. He always avoided Wraith. “To what do I owe the honour?”

The shadow king did not speak as he floated forward, gaze raking over the contents of Wraith’s room. Finally, his gaze rested on Wraith.

Wraith stopped himself from flinching. The shadow king so rarely looked directly at him.

“Tonight is your betrothal ball,” the shadow king said. “I expect you to be on your best behaviour.” His lip curled. “You are not smart, or bright, or cunning. All in all, your existence has been a trial. The least you can do now is marry that repugnant dragon king and ensure that everything goes forward as planned.”

Wraith’s family had always hated the dragons. In fact, he had been surprised when they’d agreed to the truce. For a long time, they’d fought their allies regarding a peace treaty. Although, honestly, his family also despised their allies from Botanial, the Grey Mountains, and the combined Kingdoms of Voltaria and Zephyrias almost as much as they despised the dragons.

The shadow king and queen had only agreed to an alliance out of necessity when the dragons invaded their lands. But after twenty years of the war raging on, their allies had wanted peace. They talked of their magic weakening as the war continued. But unlike their allies, Necros had been thriving.

But after numerous meetings with their allies and the monks, who all pushed for peace with Draconia, the shadow king and queen had relented.

However, it now seemed that there was opposition to the peace treaty here at the White Monastery, with plots and attacks taking place. Wraith had no clue who was behind it or what was going on. He didn’t even know many of the details of what had occurred, since not many spoke to him. But Wraith often had no idea what was going on, so that was not unusual.

“I will do my best, Your Majesty.” Wraith’s voice trembled.