Chapter 9
Chapter
Nine
Wraith tried not to shake as he walked beside King Konrad.
Now that he knew the king hated him, he did not know how it had not been obvious to him from the first second of their interaction. He saw King Konrad’s hatred in every glance, every word, and every movement.
His future husband despised him. And Wraith did not know what to do about it. Or what he had done to cause it.
At least the shadow king avoided and ignored him. And Wraith had learnt early on to stay out of his way. But for the moment, he and the dragon king had to keep spending time together.
Beneath the pavilion, tables had been set up with food and wine.
A flautist played music that mingled with the voices of the living and the few dead who stood around them.
Quite a lot of people had turned up for this couple’s quest, including Wraith’s family.
His siblings glanced at him and King Konrad as the couple approached.
The shadow king and queen stood together talking, not acknowledging their arrival.
He expected that from the shadow king, but he wished his mother would at least glance at him.
He was not so foolish as to hope for a smile from his mother.
But perhaps she could give him a look of encouragement.
Instead she just kept talking to her husband.
King Konrad and Wraith paused by the edge of the crowd. After a moment, the king’s sister and another woman approached.
King Konrad cleared his throat. “Shadow Prince Wraith, may I introduce my sister, Princess Senta Drachen, and her wife, Lady Juniper of Botanial.”
The two women bowed.
“Shadow Prince Wraith,” Princess Senta said as she straightened, looking him up and down with a neutral expression. “May you and my brother have a blessed union.”
“Yes. We wish you great happiness together,” Lady Juniper added.
Wraith doubted that would be a possibility. “I … ah … thank you. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintances, Princess Senta and Lady Juniper.”
“You can call me Juniper,” she said. “I think it appropriate that we drop our official titles.” She glanced at Senta and the king.
After a second, Konrad inclined his head.
“And can we call you Wraith?” Juniper asked.
“Oh … yes. You can do that,” Wraith answered.
Juniper smiled at him, but Wraith could still see something guarded in her eyes.
She is just being polite. She doesn’t actually like me. Juniper and Senta probably hate me as much as Konrad.
“I hope you don’t find the couple’s quest too challenging today.” Senta turned to Konrad.
“I’m sure we will have no problem completing the quest,” Konrad said.
“It’s good that you are confident.” Senta smiled at her brother, her face brightening now that she no longer looked at Wraith. “We found ours quite difficult.”
Juniper laughed and placed a hand on Senta’s arm. “That’s because we got distracted.”
Senta smiled and lifted Juniper’s hand to her lips, kissing the back of it. They gazed into each other’s eyes, the affection pouring off them.
Wraith blinked rapidly. Why could I not have found affection in my marriage? Why do I have to marry someone who can’t stand me?
Juniper tore her gaze from her wife and looked at Wraith and Konrad. “And you’ll be married in a couple of days’ time. Your heads must be spinning.”
Wraith’s palms began to sweat. Everything was happening so very, very fast. He did not respond. He did not know what to say. Konrad didn’t say anything, either, but he nodded.
The two women glanced between Wraith and Konrad. Then they looked at each other.
“Well, I think we should get some wine,” Senta said.
“I’m also a bit hungry. Good luck in your quest,” Juniper said, and the two departed, leaving Konrad and Wraith alone once more.
Wraith wished he could leave too. He wanted to be alone and far away from the dragon king who loathed him. He’d heard stories of Konrad during the war. It was said that he’d been ruthless as he’d fought the necromancer army.
Would he act out that ruthlessness on Wraith once they were married? His breathing came faster.
But maybe this couple’s quest was an opportunity. He did not know why Konrad despised him. However, if Wraith did this task well, he could prove to his future spouse that he was competent and maybe worthy of being cared for. Maybe Konrad would come around and at least stop hating him.
It could happen. Although, Wraith was scared to hope.
The grand monk walked towards them. He bowed. “Your Majesty. Your Highness. Are you ready to start the couple’s quest?”
“Of course, Grand Monk,” Konrad said.
Wraith nodded.
“Excellent. Come this way, please.”
Wraith and Konrad followed the grand monk to a wooden podium. Wraith still had his hand in the crook of the dragon king’s arm.
Should I release him? What is expected of me?
After a second’s hesitation, he dropped his hand. He was not even sure why Konrad had offered his arm. It must be for appearances’ sake.
The grand monk walked around behind the podium and placed his hands on it. Three small wooden boxes sat on the podium. A damp, earthy scent lingered in the air. The crowd fell silent, except for the dead, who often rarely paid attention to the actions of the living.
Grand Monk Ferdinand smiled at them both. “Today, we are gathered to see King Konrad and Shadow Prince Wraith set off on their couple’s quest. Their quest has been planned by their noble families.”
The monk held out his arms, palms up. “Today on the Island of the Way of the Dove, there is a festival taking place, a fishing festival. In many of the villages, there will be a celebration and they will attempt to catch as many fish as they can. A good haul today heralds a prosperous year of fishing ahead.”
The grand monk looked between them. “I ask you both to fly to three of these villages, locate the festivities, and present bait to our half-brethren and give them our blessings. Our half-brethren may not be monks, but they, too, have taken vows to uphold peace. We take our responsibility to protect and assist them seriously.”
He lifted one of the boxes on the table and opened the lid. Inside, worms, the longest and fattest Wraith had ever seen, writhed.
“This bait is specially bred for the occasion.” The grand monk closed the box. “Now are you ready to start your quest?”