Chapter 43
Chapter
Forty-Three
Konrad bolted upright. He scrambled to tug the blankets out from beneath them. Wraith laughed as Konrad covered both their laps.
“Where is he?” Konrad looked around. Of course, he could see no one.
“He’s over there.” Wraith pointed. “Right beside the bed and in front of the cupboard.”
“Dragon gods,” Konrad muttered. “Why does he have to turn up now?” He had been prepared for his dead father to turn up at some point. But he had not expected him to appear whilst Konrad was naked and in bed after just fucking Wraith.
“Don’t worry. If he was disturbed by our nudity, he wouldn’t be here,” Wraith said. “And you get naked to shift all the time. Surely he’s seen you nude before.”
“That doesn’t mean I’m okay with him seeing me naked with you after we’ve just—” Konrad cut himself off. Although it would be clear to anyone what they’d just been up to, saying it in front of his dead father still felt wrong. “It’s different. It feels different for him to see me naked like this.”
But Wraith didn’t seem to be listening to him. His gaze was fixed on the spot he’d pointed to.
“Is my father speaking?”
Wraith nodded.
“What is he saying?” Konrad asked, even though he knew he should stay quiet and let Wraith listen.
Wraith didn’t answer. But he pursed his lips. He kind of looked like he was trying not to laugh. Then Wraith broke out in giggles. He took a breath and said, “He says you must do your duty and—” A fit of laughter overtook him.
Konrad opened his mouth, about to protest that he was doing his duty. Or at least he was trying to.
But then Wraith said, “He said you must continue to bed me regularly, as you just did, so you can get me pregnant in order to continue the family bloodline.” He covered his mouth, trying to smother his laughter.
Konrad gaped. Did my father just watch me fuck Wraith?
When Wraith managed to get himself under control, he continued, “He said we should go again now, as I need to get pregnant as soon as possible.”
Konrad choked. “What? But you can’t get pregnant! And does he just expect us to fuck right in front of him?” Fire and fucking flames.
“He is a bit confused,” Wraith said whilst still battling his laughter. “That can happen when people die. Details and facts become hazy.”
Of all the ways he’d expected his father’s ghost visiting him to go, this wasn’t it.
Konrad cleared his throat. “Well, tell him you can’t have children.”
Straightening, Wraith said, “Your Majesty, I am unable to have children.” For several moments, he stared at the spot where Konrad’s father was. Then Wraith shook his head. “He doesn’t seem to be comprehending that. It happens sometimes after death. They don’t always listen or retain information.”
“Oh.”
Wraith’s face sobered. “You can talk to him if you like. He can hear you.” He took Konrad’s hand.
Konrad dropped his gaze to their entwined hands. “What should I say?”
“You can say whatever you like,” Wraith said. “He may or may not remember. But he is paying attention to you.”
Konrad stared at the spot where his father supposedly stood. “Father, I—” What the fuck am I meant to say?
Wraith squeezed his hand.
Konrad took a deep breath and tried again.
“Father, I’m sorry. I’m sorry that you died.
And I’m sorry that we still do not know who killed you.
But we are trying to work it out so we can ensure you get justice.
And we are also trying to discover who is attempting to undermine the peace treaty so we can stop them. ”
Konrad closed his eyes and took a breath.
“I’m sorry that I didn’t listen to you and that I was so focused on the necromancers that I did not consider someone else might be a threat.
I—I’m just sorry. I know you’d be better at getting this peace treaty finalised than I am.
” He paused. “I wish you were still here.”
King Alaric had by no means been perfect. He’d been a tough and stern father, determined that his children would do their duty to their kingdom. As a ruler, he’d been somewhat ruthless. But he’d been clever, and he’d taken the responsibility of running the kingdom seriously.
That responsibility was now Konrad’s. And Konrad could really use his father’s advice and strength. But his father was dead, and his ghost did not seem aware enough to give him proper advice.
Wraith placed his other hand on Konrad’s shoulder.
“I will try my best to be a good king,” Konrad said. “I will do everything I can to finalise this treaty and secure peace for our kingdom. Hopefully, that will ensure that strong dragons will be born into our family once more. I will do everything I can for our kingdom and for our family.”
He stared at the spot before the cupboard. “I hope to be a good king and to make you proud, Father.” He paused. “I am sorry you are gone.”
After a few moments, Wraith spoke, “He has faded now. But he heard you.”
“Has he passed on?”
Wraith shook his head. “Not yet.”
“Thank you for that.” Even if his father did not remember what Konrad had said, he was glad he’d said it. “Well, we should get ready for the ball. We wouldn’t want to be late.”