Chapter 6
Chapter
Six
“Dragon gods. He brought his damned hellhound to our betrothal ball!” Konrad spat.
Luther and Onyx looked over at Shadow Prince Wraith as he entered the lavish ballroom. The hellhound followed the prince.
Luther laughed. “Who knows, maybe a hellhound will be a fun and interesting addition to the Castle of the Dragons.”
“It’s not funny, Luther! That undead beast is a threat and a danger,” Konrad said.
Shadow Prince Wraith glided, not stopping or pausing as he made his way through the crowd comprised of nobles, dignitaries, monks, and guards. The hellhound remained at the shadow prince’s heels, which everyone noticed.
People stepped back to avoid getting too close to the monstrous, undead creature. But Shadow Prince Wraith ignored the people and their whispers.
Perhaps he relishes causing fear in others.
“You have to admit, despite being creepy, he is beautiful.” Luther leaned forward, putting weight on his cane, so he could keep watching the shadow prince as he walked through the ballroom.
“Stunning in fact,” Onyx added.
They weren’t wrong, of course. The shadow prince was lovely with his long black hair, skin as pale as bone, and red lips like freshly spilled blood.
“Being beautiful doesn’t change the fact that he is still a fucking necromancer.” Konrad sneered.
“And we all know what you think of necromancers,” Luther muttered.
“Do not pretend you like them.” But Konrad knew that Luther and his other siblings did not share the same depth of hatred Konrad held.
During the war, the siblings had been sent all over to fight their enemies.
But it was Konrad specifically who had spent his time during the war facing necromancers, battle after horrific, bloody battle.
His siblings may have seen some action against the armies of Necros, but not like Konrad. They had not seen what he had.
Luther shrugged. “I don’t like them. Who does? They are weird, and what they do is revolting. But since you have to marry a necromancer, and as part of that you are required to consummate the marriage, you have to admit that it’s preferable that he is attractive.”
Luther glanced at Onyx and smirked. “Also, sometimes it is fun to bed someone you hate.” He sipped his wine, practically eye-fucking his husband.
Onyx chuckled, not breaking eye contact with Luther.
Konrad continued sneering and said nothing. Onyx and Luther had originally despised each other. That was no longer the case.
“Come on, Konrad,” Luther said. “Would you rather fuck an ugly and spooky necromancer or a beautiful and spooky necromancer?”
Konrad did not respond.
But Luther wouldn’t let it go. “Exactly! You’d rather fuck a sexy necromancer than a gross one. Admit it!”
Konrad glared at him. “They are all gross, regardless of their level of attractiveness.”
Luther rolled his eyes and opened his mouth.
“Does Shadow Prince Wraith not get along with the other necromancers?” Onyx asked, interrupting any more brotherly discussion.
“What do you mean?” Konrad asked.
“Well, I’ve noticed the other necromancers tend to remain clumped together when they leave their rooms to attend these official gatherings. But Shadow Prince Wraith always appears to be alone. Except for his hellhound.”
Konrad stared at the shadow prince. He stood by a wall near the glass doors leading out onto the terrace. As Onyx had noticed, he was completely alone. He did not even get a glass of wine or something to nibble on. He just stood there with his hellhound.
Grand Monk Ferdinand walked towards them, and Konrad turned his gaze away from his betrothed.
“Good evening, Your Majesty, Your Highnesses.” The grand monk bowed low. “I have spoken to Shadow Queen Rue and Shadow King Lament, and they are ready to start.”
The grand monk paused. “As you are no doubt aware, the rulers of the kingdom usually announce the betrothal dance, but since you are now the ruler of Draconia, King Konrad, this complicates matters, as it would be unusual for you to announce the betrothal dance and then take part in it.”
“I see what you mean.” Konrad had not considered this. Honestly, his mind had been on more important matters like ensuring his family weren’t killed at the White Monastery and solidifying the peace treaty. But conventions should be maintained as much as possible.
He glanced at Luther and then looked around for Gerard or Senta. He’d prefer one of his responsible siblings, who would take the task seriously, to announce the betrothal dance over Luther.
“If you are open to the suggestion, I would be willing to stand in for you,” the grand monk said. “But only if that is agreeable to you, Your Majesty.”
Konrad nodded. “Yes. That would be appreciated, Grand Monk. Thank you.”
“It is the least I can do. Are you ready now?”
Konrad glanced across the ballroom. Shadow Prince Wraith had not moved. He stood, still completely alone, except for the hellhound who sat at his heels. He did not even seem to be doing anything or pretending to do something.
If Konrad were on his own at a ball, he’d pretend to be somewhat engaged or looking at something. But the necromancer just stared blankly ahead. He didn’t even seem to be taking in his surrounds.
A servant approached the prince, holding a tray of wine. Shadow Prince Wraith did not even glance in his direction even though the servant stood right beside him.
The servant spoke, holding out the tray. Shadow Prince Wraith turned and stared at the servant. Finally, he shook his head, and the servant continued on.
“I am ready.” Which wasn’t true, of course. Konrad would never be ready to have anything to do with a necromancer. But there would be no avoiding it. So he just had to suck it up.
The grand monk departed, and a few moments later, a herald strode out into the middle of the ballroom floor. She stood beneath the gold-and-crystal chandelier that hung from the painted high ceiling above.
The herald blew her trumpet. Everyone stopped speaking and turned towards her. “I present Shadow Queen Rue and Shadow King Lament of Necros and the grand monk, acting on behalf of King Konrad Drachen of Draconia.” The herald bowed and walked to the side of the marble dance floor.
The shadow king and queen, along with the grand monk, walked to the centre of the ballroom.
The shadow queen clasped her hands in front of her. She wore a gown of black and silver that hugged her lithe frame. A translucent black veil covered her eyes. “Tonight, we are gathered to celebrate the upcoming wedding between King Konrad and my son, Shadow Prince Wraith.”
“Theirs will be one of the eight marriages that will seal the peace treaty,” the grand monk announced. “They will be dancing ‘The Fading Light.’”
Konrad strode forward as the shadow king, the shadow queen, and the grand monk drew back. Shadow Prince Wraith glided out onto the floor to meet him. His hellhound was no longer anywhere in sight.
Thank the dragon gods for that.
The two stood in the centre of the ballroom floor. The shadow prince stared at him with his big dark, almost black eyes. Konrad’s breath caught. And for a moment, he had to remind himself just how much he hated the necromancers.
“Good evening, King Konrad.” The shadow prince’s voice was soft and low, nearly a whisper. There was something almost seductive to his tone.
And Konrad realised with a start that this was the first time he’d ever heard the prince speak. This was also the closest the two of them had ever been. Strange, he’d imagined the necromancer’s voice to be deeper and gravellier. Something more grating and evil-sounding.
“Good evening, Shadow Prince Wraith,” Konrad said.
A violin began to play in the silent ballroom.
Konrad forced himself to hold out his hand.
The shadow prince took it. His skin felt soft and surprisingly warm.
Konrad had imagined the necromancer’s touch to be cold and stiff, like touching a dead body.
His hand was smaller and more delicate than Konrad’s own.
Shadow Prince Wraith placed his other hand on Konrad’s shoulder.
Taking a deep breath, Konrad put his free hand on the shadow prince’s slender waist. Shadow Prince Wraith immediately moved in close. He smelled of incense and, surprisingly, like lilies at night.
More string instruments started to play. Then the wind instruments joined.
Konrad moved across the ballroom floor. Shadow Prince Wraith followed his lead without any hesitation. He danced fluidly and with far more grace than Konrad had ever held. He practically floated in Konrad’s arms.
And as Konrad stared into his betrothed’s ridiculously pretty face, he remembered Luther’s words. “Would you rather fuck an ugly and spooky necromancer or a beautiful and spooky necromancer?”
Konrad had to admit that although he was repulsed at the idea of marrying a necromancer, bedding the prince in his arms would be no real hardship. Of course, he’d never say that aloud to anyone, especially to his siblings.
Shadow Prince Wraith’s gaze remained steadfast on Konrad’s face. He didn’t even blink. Then his gaze snapped to the left of Konrad, fixing on something over Konrad’s shoulder. His lips parted.
Konrad glanced to his left. There was nothing there. He turned back to his betrothed, whose eyes remained focused to Konrad’s left.
The hair on Konrad’s neck stood up. He pressed his lips together.
Will I have to deal with his weird behaviour for the rest of my life?