Chapter 8
Chapter
Eight
Konrad held in a sigh as he opened the door to the carriage and climbed in. He sat opposite Shadow Prince Wraith, who didn’t even glance at him. He just sat in the corner, sitting straight, hands clasped in his lap. He kept his gaze ahead.
Konrad settled onto the leather seat across from him. “Good morning, Shadow Prince Wraith.”
“Um … yes … good … ah … good morning, King Konrad,” the shadow prince said, barely above a whisper. He still didn’t meet Konrad’s gaze.
Why does he sound like he’s never said good morning before?
Konrad looked out the window. The carriage lurched forward. The two of them rode in silence. Konrad tapped his fingers on his knee.
Why couldn’t he and Shadow Prince Wraith just marry? Why did they have to go through all these courtship rituals, like this couple’s quest? Of course, Konrad knew why: They needed to demonstrate that the two of them were serious about this wedding and the peace treaty.
And the binding magic used by the monks required proper commitment, not just with signatures and words, but with actions too. Still, he wished they could skip it all.
Out of the eight weddings to seal the treaty, their wedding was particularly important, as it was the final marriage. His marriage had always been planned to be the last one, since he was the heir to the Draconian throne—or had been the heir before his father died. Now he was king.
In fact, they were rushing the wedding between Lord Reynold of Draconia and Lady Tautou of Zephyrias. They were the replacements for one of the marriages, that between Duke Albert and Prince Beau, both dead now. They’d been a part of the plot that had caused Konrad’s father’s death.
The wedding ceremony and banquet for Lord Reynold and Lady Tautou was being held that day, which meant that Konrad and Shadow Prince Wraith would miss it.
But the nuptials between Lord Reynold and Lady Tautou were being kept low key, so as not to draw too much attention to the fact that one of the pairs married for the treaty had played a part in the plotting that led to the Draconian king’s death.
The carriage rattled along through the middle and lower parts of the White Monastery. They continued through the city that was the outer monastery, and then they rode out into the countryside.
Konrad looked at his betrothed. What had he done in the war? How many Draconian soldiers had he brought back to life to fight against their own? Konrad’s throat tightened.
Perhaps they’d been on the battlefield together. Maybe Shadow Prince Wraith had even been there at the battle when Anton had been killed. And raised. Had his future husband been the one to bring his childhood friend back as an undead creature, forcing Konrad to hack him to pieces?
He gritted his teeth. His hand on his knee balled into a fist.
But no. They’d killed all the necromancers present that day. So the shadow prince could not have been there. But no doubt he’d been involved in other atrocities during the war.
Konrad let out a breath, forcing his hand to relax. How would he cope with a necromancer in his home? For the rest of his life, his husband’s presence would constantly remind Konrad of what Necros had inflicted on his people.
Shadow Prince Wraith lifted his gaze. He stared at the spot beside Konrad. His head tilted. He had the same expression he’d had at the betrothal ball when he’d stared behind Konrad.
Konrad shook his head. The movement caught Shadow Prince Wraith’s eye. He glanced quickly at Konrad before dropping his gaze to his lap.
Konrad would have to get used to his husband’s strange behaviour.
The necromancer would haunt the halls of the Castle of the Dragons like a ghoul for the rest of their marriage.
Konrad stopped himself from sneering. Maybe they could put him in some secluded part of the castle where Konrad would never have to see him.
As was part of the marriage contract, Konrad would vow to remain close to his spouse. But maybe Konrad would test how far apart they could live without it causing him to grow ill or mad.
They continued in silence. Konrad studied the necromancer. It hurt how beautiful he was. There was an otherworldly, almost ethereal, quality to him. Konrad looked away, disgusted with his own attraction to the shadow prince.
Why does he have to be so fucking pretty?
Konrad had no idea what their couple’s quest today would be. But it was meant to show that they could work together to achieve a goal.
I just hope it has nothing to do with necromancy. Although, since his siblings had been involved in the organisation of the quest, he knew they would not include something like that.
After what felt like an age, the carriage pulled to a stop. A servant opened the carriage door. Konrad waited for Shadow Prince Wraith to climb out before doing so himself.
In the distance, a pavilion had been set up. Shadow Prince Wraith stood facing it. But he did not move in the direction of it. His black robes and hair floated in the breeze.
For a second, Konrad considered striding ahead and leaving his betrothed to catch up. But just because he despised the necromancer, it did not mean he could shirk his duties.
I am king now. I must behave accordingly.
The treaty had to go forward. He knew that. He had to marry Shadow Prince Wraith, even though he did not trust or like him. Konrad had to act with dignity and could not dishonour himself or Draconia. And he had promised his father. He could not go back on his word.
Konrad held out his arm to Shadow Prince Wraith. The prince blinked at it. He lifted his hand. He hesitated. Konrad gritted his teeth and had to stop himself from storming off.
Konrad was doing his duty. Shadow Prince Wraith should do so too!
Finally, the prince placed his hand delicately on Konrad’s arm. Konrad walked forward, leading his betrothed. His four guards, who’d been riding outside the carriage, followed.
Beneath the pavilion, he spotted monks, nobles, and dignitaries. There were also many Draconian guards present, and also warrior doves from the White Monastery too. Konrad’s gaze skittered over everyone, and he wondered if those who had plotted and killed his father were present.
He stared at the shadow king and queen. Konrad had been so certain they had been behind all the machinations against the peace treaty. A part of him still believed they were. However, he no longer trusted his own judgement.
But what if he wasn’t wrong? What if he’d been correct all along and had just been thrown off because he hadn’t picked up on the others who’d betrayed them? He glanced at the man beside him. No doubt he’d have information regarding the inner workings of those from Necros.
“I was surprised when Necros agreed to the peace treaty.” Konrad tried to keep his voice casual and not at all like he was trying to uncover any necromancer secrets.
Konrad had always been direct and to the point and, unfortunately, had not much practice being manipulative and wheedling out information from others.
His betrothed did not respond. He just kept walking straight ahead, hand resting on Konrad’s arm.
“The shadow king and queen seemed resistant to the peace talks for so long,” Konrad continued. “And considering that necromancers gain power from death, I did not see a reason for them to agree to an end to the war. What convinced them to change their mind?”
Shadow Prince Wraith kept his gaze forward. Finally, he spoke, “They came around after talking with their allies and the Monks of the Way of the Dove.”
Konrad waited a beat, hoping for more. But the prince seemed to be tight-lipped, unwilling to share any actual information. “I see.”
They walked the rest of the way to the pavilion in silence.