Page 93 of Courting the Dragon King

But then his mother said, “He is dead now. Executed quietly, shortly before your birth. For treason against Necros.”

Wraith’s brows twitched. “Did he⁠—”

“That is all you need to know. More than you need to know, in fact,” she said, voice clipped. “The shadow king punished him for his actions. But he forgave me for mine. And he was lenient with you and allowed you to live.”

Wraith finally lifted his gaze. His mother stared at the couples dancing.

For the majority of his life, Wraith had known that the shadow king had shown him mercy by not killing him at birth. After all, his existence was evidence of his mother’s affair and was a threat to the Royal House of Necros.

Instead of extinguishing Wraith’s life, the shadow king had tolerated the cuckoo in his nest for so many years, hiding the truth from everyone. But he had always despised Wraith for what he was, and everyone had followed his lead.

“Thank you for telling me,” Wraith said. “I am glad to know. I will not ask about him again.”

“Good.” She looked at him. “We will speak tomorrow. Before the treaty is signed. And remember, do not forget the kindness that has been shown to you by the shadow king and do not forget who you are or where your loyalties lie. You are a necromancer and a shadow prince of Necros, Wraith.”

She strode away then, leaving Wraith alone. Wraith glanced up. Shadow King Lament Grimm stared back at him. He turned away when Wraith met his gaze. But Wraith couldn’t look away.

At least I know a little about my actual father now.

Chapter

Forty-Six

“So you do not have any leads?” asked Prince Matteo.

Konrad stood near a table where an enormous cut-crystal bowl held punch. Servants ladled the pinky-orangey liquid into cups. He’d been about to collect two, when he noticed the grand monk and grand shield conversing nearby with Prince Matteo.

So Konrad had joined them.

“No one could have any personal reason to murder Grand Healer Eveline.” Grand Monk Ferdinand’s fluffy white brows pulled low. “She dedicated her life to assisting others. She was a kind woman. Those she taught found her inspirational, someone to truly admire.”

A sad smile spread across the grand monk’s face. “During the war, she’d travel to the front lines, no concern for her own safety. She just wanted to help those in need. She wanted peace and to put an end to all the bloodshed. She simply could not stand the thought of anyone suffering, especially the innocent.

“In fact, I remember when we first met so many years ago.” Then the grand monk launched into the tale.

Konrad held in a sigh. The grand monk was getting lost in memories. Which, although understandable, was not what Konrad needed. He was trying to find out information. If he wasn’t doing anything useful here, he’d rather be with Wraith, dancing and drinking punch.

Still, Konrad was king of Draconia. He was attending this assembly to achieve peace for his kingdom. He had to remember his duty to his people. He couldn’t get swept off course because he was developing feelings for his husband.

Grand Shield Dahlia must have also been growing weary of the grand monk’s tale, because the next time he took a breath, she said, “Yes. The grand healer found bloodshed intolerable. We are under the assumption that whoever killed her did so because they are trying to thwart the completion of the peace treaty.”

“We must do everything we can for peace. No matter the cost. No matter the sacrifice,” the grand monk said.

Prince Matteo nodded.

“I agree,” Konrad said. “Now if you’ll excuse me.”

If something like this had occurred in the Castle of the Dragons, Konrad wanted to believe that they would handle it better and would have already found the culprit. Of course, he would hope they would not have allowed something like this to happen in the first place.

Konrad picked up two cups of punch and turned. He froze.

What the fuck is Leon doing back here?

His half-brother should have already left the peace assembly. But right now, he strode towards Konrad.

Konrad stalked forward to meet him. “What are you doing here, Leon? You should be back in Draconia by now.”

Leon pulled his shoulders back. “I know you sent me away for my own safety, and I flew all the way back to the Castle of the Dragons. But I couldn’t stay.”