Chapter 20
Chapter
Twenty
Wraith had planned to leave the Draconian rooms. But now he wondered if he should just remain. After all, his belongings were here. And he had nowhere to really go. Also, he’d like to wash and change his clothes.
But the scowl on Konrad’s face made his displeasure with Wraith’s continued presence crystal clear.
So Wraith stammered, “I … ah … will leave you now.”
Then he strode ahead, leaving Konrad and the Draconian quarters. Wraith knew he’d return far too soon for Konrad’s liking. But he would definitely not go into Konrad’s room without an express invitation. He’d hate to face Konrad’s anger … again.
Konrad had been so enraged when he discovered Wraith had had sex with ghosts.
His heart raced and his skin flushed as he remembered Konrad’s words. Repulsive. Revolting. That was what Konrad thought of Wraith. It wasn’t enough to merely hate Wraith; he was disgusted by him too.
Wraith swallowed. He could not know what the big deal was about him having sex with ghosts. Obviously, it was not common. One had to see ghosts, or at least feel them, in order to have sex with them. Or the ghost had to be strong enough to physically manifest.
But Wraith could not see how it was so very bad. The ghosts had been interested in him. So had Wraith on the occasions when he’d engaged with them. And it was not like he or the spirits had been too young.
So why is Konrad repulsed?
Wraith didn’t understand. But that feeling was not unusual. He had so much trouble understanding others. It appeared that was not limited to just other necromancers; he had trouble understanding his Draconian husband too.
Uncertain where he should go, he decided to return to the quarters for the Necros royal family. But then he realised he had no idea which way the Necros rooms actually lay from his current location.
Servants, monks, and individuals from the different kingdoms passed him.
But he did not speak to any of them. Of course the dead also wandered about too, many of whom were monks.
He approached one and helped them move on.
He wished he could just do this for the rest of his life. Walk around, helping the dead.
Finally, he recognised a hallway, looking out over a garden with various vegetable plots. Two monks moved amongst the rows, tending to tomato plants and harvesting the produce. Wraith had walked this hallway between the banquet hall and his old room. He knew the way from here.
The Necros guards bowed and opened the door as he approached.
It felt odd that they used living guards here.
Normally, the dread knights would be the ones guarding the royal family.
They lacked the need to sleep, and they were usually far better fighters.
And they were much harder to kill. Their loyalty was also unquestionable.
After all, their spirits were magically bound to serving Necros.
He’d overheard Vex and Harrow say that the grand shield had been against the undead in the White Monastery. So that explained the use of living guards.
His shoulder muscles tensed as he walked further down the corridor.
He passed several guards, although far fewer than what they had in the Draconian quarters.
He stopped walking in the middle of the corridor, not sure exactly where to go now.
Normally he’d just go to his room. But he no longer had a room.
Still, this was his family. Even if they didn’t wish him to be a part of it.
And maybe now they would be less harsh with him.
Perhaps there would be some pride that he’d successfully married the dragon king as he’d been required to do.
He doubted there would be any warm feelings from his siblings or the shadow king or even the shadow queen. But respect might be a possibility.
He heard voices up ahead. His brother and sister turned the corner, coming out of his brother’s room.
Harrow and Vex came to a halt when they spotted him.
Vex scowled. “Fuck. What are you doing here? Why aren’t you with the fucking dragon king?”
“Is he sick of you already? Did he kick you out?” Harrow gave an exaggerated pout.
“Poor Wraith. No one wants him anywhere.” Vex snickered. “And that includes here.”
Wraith shrank back.
They continued walking, both laughing. As they passed, Vex shoved him with her shoulder.
Wraith stumbled.
“Why can’t he just fuck off and leave us be?” Vex said, clearly not caring that Wraith could hear her. “I’m so done with seeing him always skulking around.”
“I know. It’s pathetic. He’s pathetic,” Harrow said.
Wraith stared down at his hands. It seemed there had been no softening of feelings from his siblings.
I should just leave. But where will I go? Back to the Draconian quarters? It’s not like they want me there either.
He exhaled a shaky breath.
Why is there no place for me anywhere? Why has there never been a place for me anywhere?
Vex and Harrow had always been close. As kids he’d see them playing. He’d tried to join in. But that had just earned him bruises and insults. Still, it had taken him a long time, too long, to accept that his siblings wanted nothing to do with him.
He continued walking down the corridor. He paused in the doorway to his mother’s room. She sat at her dresser, staring into the mirror as a servant twisted her hair and pinned it in place.
His mother’s eyes met his in the mirror. “Wraith. What are you doing here?” she asked, voice flat. At least her tone held no animosity at his sudden appearance.
Wraith stepped into the room. “I wished to tell you that the wedding was consummated.”
She lifted a hand mirror and tilted it from side to side, appraising the servant’s work. “That’s good, Wraith.”
Wraith took another step forward. “Also … I was wondering why my belongings were sent to the Draconian quarters.”
“I would think that would be rather obvious,” she said.
“Oh.” Wraith racked his brain but could come up with no clear reason. Except that they wanted to get rid of him. His stomach sank. Was that why?
“If you spend time with him, you can strengthen that relationship, which will benefit the treaty.”
Relief flooded Wraith. It was about the treaty. His mother wasn’t just trying to get rid of him. “Right. Of course. That makes sense.”
“We will send word when more is required of you.”
“I will wait for your instructions,” Wraith said.
His mother lifted a necklace from the dresser, holding it to her neck. Her eyes narrowed as she considered the object. Then she placed it down and lifted a second necklace.
Clearly, she had nothing more to say to her son.
Wraith bowed. “Thank you, Mother.”
His mother continued to peruse necklaces, saying nothing. Wraith left her room. He paused for a second in the corridor, wondering if he should just leave now. But something inside him turned his feet and made him continue walking further into their quarters.
Wraith had done a good job. He’d married a man who hated him. He’d helped the peace treaty. And the previous night, the shadow king had even looked at him without obvious hatred. Maybe for the first time ever, the king felt more positively towards Wraith.
The shadow king’s voice floated through the open doorway from the meeting chamber.
He heard another voice respond. Wraith paused in the doorway.
A long table filled the room. Five necromancers sat along it, the shadow king at the head.
A couple of the necromancers glanced at him before looking away.
“I agree that we need to be careful moving forward,” the shadow king said. His gaze flicked over the room, including the open door with Wraith standing in it. Then the shadow king looked at the servant standing by the door. “Shut the door. This is a private conversation.”
The servant turned and closed the door in Wraith’s face.
The murmured voice of the shadow king continued on the other side of the wooden door.
Wraith took a step back. He blinked rapidly. The guards along the corridor did not look at him, but no doubt they were acutely aware of how he had been so completely rejected.
Eyes stinging, he strode down the corridor. He shouldn’t be surprised. He shouldn’t be hurt. He should be used to this sort of treatment by now.
As he exited the Necros royal family rooms, the guards closed the door firmly behind him. He doubted he would return. At least, not unless he was summoned.
But now where should he go? He meandered, no idea where he went. No one wanted him.
Except, of course, for Umbra. He closed his eyes. “Come to me, Umbra. Come to me. Come to me. Please.” He let out a shaky breath. “I need you.”
Umbra appeared beside him. He dropped to his knees and patted her. Her tongue lolled, and her tail wagged.
Wraith smiled. “At least you’re happy to see me.”
Umbra licked his face. “Of course! You’re my human. The best human!”
A tear leaked from his eye, and he hugged Umbra tight. He rubbed his damp cheek against her and just breathed for a few seconds. She smelled so familiar, of smoke and incense. Then Wraith rose. “Let’s go for a walk, shall we. See if any ghosts want our help.”
At least Wraith had someone who cared for him. But he dreaded returning to the Draconian quarters. At some point, he’d have to.