Chapter 24
Chapter
Twenty-Four
Konrad nodded to the guards as he and Gerard entered their quarters.
“Well, at least your marriage is off to a wonderful start,” Gerard said. “You got married yesterday, and today you’ve asked your brother to organise guards to spy on him.”
“And to look after him,” Konrad pointed out.
“Right. Of course.” Gerard chuckled. “I strive to have such a trusting marital relationship as you do.”
Konrad glared.
Gerard laughed. Then his expression grew serious.
“Honestly, though, I think you are doing the correct thing. He is from Necros, and we do not know where his loyalties lie, so we must keep an eye on him. Especially since he will be living amongst us. I’ll inform the guards within our quarters to keep an eye on him too. ”
“Good idea.” Konrad exhaled. It was good to have Gerard’s support in this. “And how are the rest of our defences?”
“As good as we can make them.” Gerard rubbed the back of his neck. “So long as there are no more secret passages in our quarters, we should be fine. And there shouldn’t be. We’ve checked with every method known to man, both magical and physical.”
“Any more information on who the robed figures could be? Or who else could be plotting against us?” Konrad asked, without any hope. If Gerard had found anything out, he’d have told Konrad immediately. But that knowledge didn’t stop Konrad from constantly asking.
Gerard stared ahead for several seconds. Then he sighed. “No. The spies have picked up on nothing unusual. There are rumours, of course. Some say it’s the necromancers, but that’s what people have been saying since the start.
“Some say it’s Warden Jade because her father was a traitor.
Others suspect our half-siblings because their mother was a traitor.
Then there are those who suspect Emperor Hugo, since his wife was a traitor.
But those are all rumours. We have no proof of it being anyone.
Most seem to just think it’s those who were closest to other traitors. Or people they don’t like.”
Konrad pursed his lips. His father had accused him over and over again of assuming it was the necromancers just because Konrad disliked them.
And it was true, Konrad had no proof. He’d just been certain because the necromancers were evil.
But Konrad no longer saw that as enough of a reason to assume they were plotting against the treaty.
They needed evidence. Solid proof. Until they had that, Konrad would not act.
“Honestly, everything seems too still and calm at present.” Gerard scanned the guards they passed. “I don’t trust it. Thankfully, it is only a handful of days until the treaty is completed. Then we can all get the fuck out of here and get back to Draconia.”
“And all the protections we have there,” Konrad added.
Gerard nodded. “I—” He cut himself off. A smile chased his solemn expression away. “That’s Elias. What’s he laughing about? I thought he’d be in a meeting with his stepbrother.” He strode off, clearly distracted by his beautiful and charming husband’s laughter.
Konrad followed. They had nothing more to talk about. They’d discussed everything necessary and were just going over the same things again and again. Still, he wasn’t used to Gerard wandering off to be with his beloved husband mid-conversation.
They found Elias in a sitting room. Two guards remained on duty just outside the door.
Elias sat on a bright-red cushion on the floor. His eyes sparkled, and he smiled brightly. And beside him was Wraith. They sat close together.
Surprisingly, Wraith was smiling too. Konrad had never seen Wraith smile before. The expression softened his features and made him even more breathtaking. And Wraith smiled at Elias.
He’s never smiled at me before. Konrad shook his head.
What a ridiculous thought. Why would he want Wraith to smile at him like that? He didn’t like Wraith. He was a vile necromancer, and theirs was a political marriage. He did not want or need Wraith’s smiles. After all, Wraith was repulsive, morally bankrupt, and he fucked ghosts.
Elias reached over and placed a hand on Wraith’s knee. Konrad’s jaw tightened.
“I can’t believe that,” Elias said. “Did that really happen?”
“It’s true. I was only about four, and I didn’t realise the man was a ghost. So when he told me to follow him into the dead woods, I went.”
And he’s talking about ghosts!
“But were you okay?” Elias asked. “The dead woods do not sound like a place for children.”
“It was fine in the end. I got lost and cried. But the dead woods are filled with many ghosts. One saw me, felt sorry for me, and—” Then Wraith saw Konrad standing in the doorway with Gerard. His eyes dimmed. The smile fell. He closed his mouth and dropped his gaze.
A silence fell over what had been a room of brightness and light a half second ago.
Elias glanced between Konrad and Wraith. Then he smiled at Konrad. He squeezed Wraith’s knee, and Konrad had to stop himself from stepping forward and slapping Elias’s hand away.
“Konrad, your delightful husband and I are getting to know one another. And did you see Wraith’s hellhound! She is such a good girl.” Elias gestured towards a settee. “Come here, Umbra.”
Smoke and shadow crept out from beneath a settee. The half-formed monster flowed forward, towards Elias and Wraith.
Konrad drew his dagger. “What the fuck is that creature doing here?”
Elias and Wraith jumped. The hellhound turned towards him. It bared its teeth. Ears slicked back, it growled. Konrad stepped forward, levelling his dagger at the hellhound.
“Konrad? What the fuck are you doing?” Elias asked. “Put your dagger away!”
Wraith threw himself over the monster, wrapping his arms around it.
“An undead creature has no place here!” Konrad snarled.
Wraith pressed his mouth close to the hellhound’s ear. He said something, and immediately, the hellhound dissolved and was gone. Wraith glanced at Konrad and then looked away. He pulled his knees to his chest.
Elias stared at Wraith for several seconds. He placed a hand on Wraith’s shoulder before turning to Konrad. “Well, that was an overreaction,” he said, words sharp as lightning. “Did rabid barbarians teach you how to behave?”
“How did that thing even get in here?” Konrad growled.
Wraith shrank in on himself.
Elias’s grip on Wraith’s shoulder tightened.
“Wraith mentioned he had a hellhound.” He lifted his chin.
“I begged to see her. After some hesitation, he summoned her and she came to visit. So if you are upset with anyone for the hellhound’s presence, then you are upset with me.
” He paused, a challenge in his eyes as he stared at Konrad.
Then Elias smiled, but his eyes were cold. “Umbra is very friendly. I very much enjoyed watching her rolling around on the carpet. She even chased her tail for a bit.” His smile widened.
“But I can see why a hellhound innocently playing might warrant drawing your dagger on her.” Elias’s dry voice dripped with disdain. And judgement. “Your behaviour shows a completely appropriate and reasonable way to treat your spouse’s beloved pet.”
“A hellhound is not a fucking pet!” Konrad snapped.
Wraith flinched.
“She sure acts like a pet.” Then Elias paused. “Although, I suppose you were too busy waving your little dagger and yelling to actually watch Umbra’s pet-like behaviour.”
Konrad shoved his dagger in its sheath. He remembered the times when Elias would stay silent or say something ridiculous and everyone would have to try to not laugh or roll their eyes.
But since Elias’s true nature had been revealed during the attack on him and Gerard, Elias had gotten a lot more talkative. And opinionated. Normally that didn’t bother Konrad. He usually appreciated Elias’s insights. But right now, it bothered him a lot.
Konrad glanced at Gerard, hoping for some support. But Gerard stood silently, gaze averted. Clearly, he did not want to be brought in on this disagreement between his husband and his king / older brother.
Konrad stormed from the room, trying to shove down the feelings of anger and betrayal. Why was Elias even trying to be friendly with Wraith? Konrad was sure he’d heard Elias refer to the necromancers as creepy before. So why the change of heart?
And Elias wasn’t married to Wraith, so there was no reason for them to get close!
He thought of the smile on Wraith’s face. The way Elias and Wraith leaned towards each other. Elias had touched Wraith on the knee. Then the shoulder.
Not that Konrad cared. He did not want to be married to Wraith. So Elias could make him smile, and it would have absolutely no fucking effect on Konrad. Not. At. All.
But he would have to forbid the hellhound. They couldn’t have it in their quarters, and they could not have it in the Castle of the Dragons or anywhere in Draconia. It was a monster. An undead beast. Who knew what terrors it could inflict on others? Konrad would not let it harm any of his people.
It was not a pet, and he would never tolerate its presence!
“Konrad,” Elias’s light voice called out.
“What do you want now?” Konrad barked as he turned on the spot.
Elias smiled as he passed Konrad’s guards. He raised his brows. “What a pleasant way to speak to your brother-in-law.”
“Sorry. That was rude.” Konrad might be pissed, but he needed to keep his temper in check.
Elias stopped in front of Konrad. He lifted his hand and inspected his nails. “Yes. You’re being very rude today.”
Konrad bristled.
Elias threw a glance over his shoulder, looking in the direction of the room they’d come from. “I know Wraith seems rather odd. I definitely thought so too. But after a couple of hours talking to him, well now…” He trailed off.
“What?” Konrad pressed.
Elias looked at Konrad. “I think he is lonely. Dreadfully lonely. He could use some friends. And I think he has not spent much time around people. Or at least around the living.”
Konrad huffed. “You could say that again.”
“What do you mean?”
“He fucks ghosts!”
The skin between Elias’s brows puckered. “I’m sorry, what?”
“He fucks ghosts!” Konrad repeated. “He has sexual relationships with ghosts!”
Elias’s eyes widened. “Really?”
“He told me so himself.” Konrad waited for the revulsion and shock to cross Elias’s face.
Instead Elias just said, “Interesting. How does that work?”
“What? It’s not interesting!” His voice bounced off the walls. “It’s despicable! Gross! Vile! And I don’t know how it works? Why would I want to know that?”
“Maybe so you could determine if it is actually despicable, gross, or vile, rather than just leaping to conclusions.” Elias pressed his lips together.
“I don’t know a lot about ghosts. But to come to a proper conclusion about whether or not I think fucking ghosts is appropriate behaviour, I need to find out more about how one goes about fucking a ghost and all that is involved with that. ”
Then Elias smiled. “Honestly, I am very keen to find out more.”
Konrad gaped. What the fuck is wrong with him?
Elias sighed and stepped forward. He placed his hands on Konrad’s upper arm. “Your Majesty, may I give you some advice, as your devoted brother-in-law?” He did not wait for Konrad’s response. “You are too ignorant to be so judgemental.”
Konrad gaped.
But Elias just kept speaking. “You should make an effort to learn about something before judging it. At least try and find out the basics.” He paused. “Then perhaps you’d be less wrong and would stop making such an embarrassing spectacle of yourself.”
Elias patted Konrad’s shoulders, turned, and walked off.
Konrad spluttered. Then he shouted, “Yeah? Well, I preferred it when you were a bumbling fool!”
Elias laughed but just kept walking. He seemed to sway his hips more. “I was never a fool, Your Majesty,” Elias called back. “I just fooled everyone else. Including you.”
Konrad steamed where he stood. He tried to think of a cutting and clever comeback to yell after Elias. But as his mind scrambled, Elias turned and disappeared from sight.
Still, thoughts and questions circled round and round in his head. What was wrong with Elias? Why could he not see what Konrad could? You could not trust a necromancer nor their hellhound!
Konrad turned and walked away. But annoying thoughts kept niggling in the back of his mind. Elias was smart. Could he possibly be right?
He thought of Wraith lit up and talking to Elias. Then he’d shut down when he saw Konrad.
Also, Konrad had been so quick to pull a dagger on Wraith’s “pet.”
And is Wraith actually lonely?