Chapter 41
Chapter
Forty-One
“As soon as the treaty is finalised tomorrow, we are getting the fuck out of here,” Konrad said.
Senta and Gerard nodded.
They had gathered in one of the Draconian sitting rooms, which had been converted into a strategy room. They gathered around a table, littered with papers and maps. Tea had been brought in by a servant. But the three of them hadn’t touched theirs.
Elias, however, sipped his tea, sitting away from the table on an armchair in the corner of the room.
A pile of maps lay strewn on a table beside him.
Elias had been studying maps of the White Monastery since the attack on him and Gerard, which had been possible because of the secret passage they’d known nothing about.
Gerard had told Konrad that sometimes, Elias disappeared for hours at a time with his maps, exploring the White Monastery.
Whilst Elias often had meetings with his stepbrother, Prince Matteo, Konrad had also noticed that Elias had started attending their meetings unofficially. Today, he sat silently with his tea, staring out the window as if just watching birds fly past. But Konrad knew he was listening.
Most of the time, it was easy to forget Elias’s presence, unless he had something he actually wanted to say. Then he’d speak.
“I can’t wait to get out of this monastery. It’s been a nightmare.” Senta rubbed her forehead.
The death of the grand healer two days ago had prompted them to send home most of the Draconian dignitaries and nobles who would not be required for sealing the peace treaty. This allowed them to assign more guards to those who remained.
“I don’t want to go. I belong here!” Leon had protested when they’d told him he had to return to Draconia. In the end, he’d obeyed, but he was clearly unhappy. He should be departing that afternoon.
Furthermore, all Draconians had strict instructions to no longer roam the White Monastery. Everyone was to keep to their rooms, unless it was an official event or if they had meetings.
Many of the other kingdoms had taken similar precautions. Except the necromancers, who as far as Konrad could tell, all still remained at the White Monastery. And since they’d kept to their rooms since the start of the assembly, there had been no real change there.
Konrad and his siblings had asked Wraith if he knew anything about their movements. But he’d said no one had spoken to him about anything. He had gone back to the Necros royal family quarters to see what his mother’s letter had been about and why she’d wanted him.
She’d said she didn’t need to speak to him anymore and no one had told him anything of use. He’d been withdrawn and quiet after that visit. When Konrad asked him what was wrong, Wraith had shrugged and said his family seemed displeased to see him.
Konrad may have changed his mind about Wraith, but he did not have a good opinion of Wraith’s family.
“Does everything seem secure?” Konrad asked, not for the first time.
“We’ve done everything we can think of,” Gerard said.
“Unless we want to launch an attack, take over the White Monastery, and lock everything down,” Senta added.
That would be one way to start Konrad’s ascension to the throne, by overpowering the monks who dedicated their lives to peace and taking over the White Monastery. This no doubt would restart the war with the other kingdoms, thus ensuring their bloodline would continue to weaken.
His father would roll around in his grave. Or more likely, his spirit would continue wandering around, muttering about the treaty and the bloodline, following Konrad even though Konrad could not see him.
“Yeah. Let’s not do that.” Konrad exhaled. “We just have to get through tomorrow. Then we’ll be back safe in Draconia.”
“Is everything ready to finalise the treaty?” Gerard asked.
Konrad nodded. “The grand monk said everything is on track for tomorrow. I did ask if we could finalise the treaty sooner, but the grand monk said that they would not be ready.”
“What exactly is involved in the ceremony?” Senta asked.
“The rulers of the different kingdoms, along with all those whose marriages are part of fulfilling the treaty, will gather in the ceremony chamber,” Konrad said. “There will be chanting, signing, and the same sort of things that happened during our wedding ceremonies.”
He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “And do we have any idea who killed the grand healer or who is plotting anything?” Konrad asked, whilst knowing they had no new information.
They knew to update him. But Konrad couldn’t stop himself from asking. Repeatedly asking. Honestly, it felt like they were just talking in circles now.
Gerard shook his head.
“I spoke to the grand shield and grand monk just before this meeting. They haven’t uncovered anything about the grand healer’s death,” Senta said.
Silence followed. Konrad glanced at Elias, hoping he might have some insight or news. But he just sipped his tea.
“We have the final ball tonight,” Konrad said.
“The ballroom will be full of Draconian guards,” Senta said.
“And warrior monks, and guards from other kingdoms too. There’ll probably be more guards than guests in attendance.” Gerard huffed.
The ball had been planned for tomorrow to celebrate the completion of the treaty. But since the Draconians planned to leave as soon as the treaty was signed, as did several other kingdoms, the grand monk had brought it forward to today.
“We finalise the peace treaty tomorrow. Then we leave,” Konrad said. “We just have to get to tomorrow evening.”
Soon after, they left the strategy room. Konrad headed for his bedroom. The guards inclined their heads as he passed. He had over two hours until the ball. He needed to rest. It felt like he hadn’t slept in months.
At least he knew Wraith would be in his room, or at least somewhere in their quarters, as he’d agreed to remain in them for his own safety. But when he opened the door, Wraith was not there.
However, the door to the balcony stood open and the curtains blew. Konrad crossed the room.
Sure enough, there stood Wraith, gazing down. He wore black robes and, over that, a silver corset cinched his waist. His long black hair had been pulled back into an elaborate plait. A circlet of black metal sat on his head.
Konrad came up beside him. Wraith did not notice him, which was not unusual. Konrad slipped an arm around his waist.
Wraith startled and turned towards him. Silver eye shadow shimmered on his eyelids. “Oh. You’re back! I’ve been waiting for you.”
Konrad cupped his cheek. “You look particularly lovely this afternoon.”
Wraith smiled. “I’m ready for the ball.”
“Already? It’s over two hours away.”
“Really?” Wraith frowned. “I thought I was running late.”
Wraith, it seemed, often had trouble keeping track of time. He had trouble keeping track of a lot of things. When they got back to Draconia, Konrad would find someone to assist him with his everyday routine. That would no doubt make Wraith’s life easier.
Already, he’d spoken to their servants here, ensuring they regularly brought Wraith food and drink. Wraith hadn’t really noticed. But the servants had reported that he’d been eating and drinking the food they provided him. At least some of it.
“Well, there is no penalty for being early.” Konrad nodded towards the garden below. “Anyone down there?”
“A monk.” Wraith looked down. “He is chanting. I’ve seen him down there before.”
“Have you asked him if he needs help moving on?”
Wraith nodded. “I called out to him. But he said he had important work to do and had no interest in going through some door. Then he resumed chanting. He does not seem distressed, so I let him be.” He stared down, watching the monk Konrad could not see.
The locket from their wedding day hung around Wraith’s neck. Konrad lifted it. He stroked his thumb over the skull embossed in cold metal. Konrad could not say that he liked the skull image, but he liked the idea that his and Wraith’s hair was entwined within.
Because despite his despair going into this marriage, Konrad cared for Wraith.
A lot. He wanted to look after him, keep him safe and protected.
After every long meeting or duty Konrad had to attend to, he just wanted to be back with Wraith.
He could breathe around Wraith. He could forget about his duties as king and just be.
In fact, Konrad had gone from planning to shove Wraith in some part of the Castle of the Dragons where Konrad would never see him, to worrying that Wraith would be a constant distraction to him when he needed to be running the kingdom.
How would Konrad ever get any work done when he knew he could be spending time with Wraith instead? However, that was a problem for the future. And he’d decided it was a good problem to have.
First, they had to get back to Draconia with a finalised peace treaty and no one else murdered.
Wraith leaned over the balustrade. It seemed like the monk he was watching was moving. Konrad wished he could send Wraith to Draconia now to keep him safe. But since theirs was one of the marriages that was part of sealing the peace treaty, they both had to remain.
Konrad squeezed Wraith’s waist. Wraith leaned his head against Konrad’s shoulder. Konrad closed his eyes, enjoying the feel of Wraith against him.
He pressed a kiss to Wraith’s forehead. Wraith lifted his head and kissed Konrad’s lips. Konrad’s body came alive at the soft kiss. He slid his tongue into Wraith’s mouth. Wraith gripped his neck. Konrad pressed his hands against Wraith’s lower back.
Konrad broke the kiss. “I know you are dressed and looking absolutely stunning for the ball, but I was wondering if you might consider getting undressed with me?”