Page 91 of Courting the Dragon King

“I suppose that makes sense. Even though it sounds horrid. Are there many who volunteer?” Elias asked.

“Too many.”

“Really?” Elias’s brows rose.

Wraith nodded. “So many children go to the training camps, but only a quarter of them, the best fighters, become the Chosen and are turned into dread knights when they reach adulthood.”

“What happens to those who aren’t good enough?” Elias sipped his wine.

“They join the regular living army,” Wraith said.

“They don’t become the reanimated?”

Wraith shook his head. “The reanimated skeletons and corpses don’t have souls. They are empty vassals controlled by a necromancer.”

“Huh. Do you have any books on necromancy? I’d like to learn more.”

“I have a few. Although, no official texts or anything like that.” Wraith had never received formal education. His training to create dread knights had been hands on, and his abilities as a reaper had all developed naturally or he’d taught himself.

He did have that journal somewhere from that old reaper. Was that in his chests? Actually, he’d not packed with a plan to never return to Necros. Would all his belongings be sent to the Castle of the Dragons? Or would he lose them?

“I don’t mind. I’d love to look at any books you have,” Elias said.

“There you two are,” Konrad said as he and Gerard approached. He wrapped an arm around Wraith’s waist. “Are you having a good time?”

“We are having a very nice time!” Wraith smiled.

Konrad’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly. “How many goblets of wine have you drunk?”

“Not that many.” Although, honestly, Wraith couldn’t remember. But his head and body felt delightfully light.

Konrad chuckled. Then he looked at Elias. “Do you mind if I steal my husband away?”

Chapter

Forty-Five

Wraith let himself be led by Konrad’s firm, warm hand on his lower back. They descended the stairs and walked across the floor.

“So are you having a good time tonight?” Konrad asked.

“I am! Elias is very friendly, and this wine is nice. And it gets nicer the more you drink it!” Wraith took another sip. He frowned when he found his goblet empty.

Konrad chuckled and took Wraith’s goblet, placing it on a table they passed. They approached the dance floor. Surprisingly, several couples now twirled across the marble floor, not just the ghost couple. Perhaps the wine had loosened some of them up and they were willing to ignore their fears about finalising the treaty.

After all, the wine buzzing through his veins definitely made Wraith feel like dancing.

Konrad stopped walking and held out his hand. “May I have this dance?”

“I’d love to dance!” Wraith took Konrad’s hand, and suddenly they were amongst the other couples.

The music played. Wraith smiled into Konrad’s green eyes. His arms felt so strong and sure around Wraith. He felt protected in Konrad’s embrace.

“I’m glad we had another chance to do this,” Konrad said.

“Do what?”

“Dance. It’s almost like a redo of our betrothal ball.”