Chapter 67
Chapter
Sixty-Seven
Konrad’s hand stilled as Wraith’s words hung in the air. He stared at the dark strands of hair between the comb’s teeth. Drops of water dripped from the ends of Wraith’s hair onto the floor.
Konrad took a deep breath and put the comb down. He moved his stool around beside Wraith but didn’t meet Wraith’s gaze. He just stared at the sudsy bathwater.
Shame scraped at the inside of his chest. He wanted to ignore Wraith’s comment. Feign he’d not heard. Then maybe Konrad could pretend he’d not behaved so despicably and hurt Wraith so immensely with his actions.
“I’m so sorry, Wraith.” Konrad hung his head.
“I have no excuse for how I acted. You didn’t deserve any of that.
” He stared down at his hands. “When Clara came to me and told me all those lies, I didn’t want to believe it.
But she had proof. Then, suddenly, all I could see was how you were a necromancer and how foolish I was to have fallen for you. ”
Konrad shook his head. “It’s not a good excuse. You have been nothing but sweet and kind and good, despite how I’ve treated you. I care for you. I really do. Although, I don’t know how you could believe me after what happened.”
Several seconds passed. Konrad, unable to stop himself, lifted his gaze to Wraith’s.
Wraith watched him, eyes guarded. Konrad hated that he was the reason for that.
He wanted Wraith to only look at him with joy and happiness, secure in Konrad’s affections. He wanted Wraith to know he could rely on Konrad and believe he would be there for him and protect him. But why would Wraith believe any of that after Konrad’s actions?
“I let you down,” Konrad said. “I hurt you, and I hate that. Especially because I know how you’ve been treated by your own family and people.”
Wraith’s hand rested on the side of the tub. Konrad took it. For a second, he worried Wraith would snatch his hand away. But he didn’t. Konrad exhaled.
“When we get to Draconia, I will set you up as you want. You’ll get your own rooms, and I can leave you alone if that is what you wish.
” Konrad really hoped Wraith wouldn’t wish that.
It would fucking break him to be so close to Wraith, and yet so far.
But if that was what Wraith needed from him, Konrad would provide it.
“I just want you to be happy. You should be happy. That’s what you deserve. And if what makes you happy is me leaving you alone, then I’ll do that. Anything you want, I’ll give it to you, Wraith. I will strive to make your future a happy one … even if I’m not in it.”
In fact, now that all the marriage contracts have been burned, Wraith would not be required to live in close proximity with him in Draconia. Also, the wedding ceremony had been conducted by the Monks of the Way of the Dove. The grand monk had officiated.
Would anyone hold them to the vows they’d made here?
Konrad tensed, wondering if Wraith was about to say that what would make him happy is to never see Konrad again, and for Wraith to live far away from Konrad and Draconia.
Wraith licked his lips. “What if being with you would make me happy?”
“Really?” Konrad’s fingers holding Wraith’s spasmed.
Wraith turned his hand in Konrad’s grip.
He entwined their fingers together. “Our marriage did not start out the best. But this time with you, getting to know you and spending time together, has been some of the most wonderful moments of my life. I have felt seen by you in a way I’d never experienced before. Then you hurt me.”
Konrad bowed his head. “I know.”
Wraith stared at their hands. “At the start, I’d hoped this marriage would be a fresh start and that maybe I’d find a better life with you in Draconia than the life I’d had in Necros.”
Konrad leaned forward. The stool creaked. “Do you think we could have a fresh start from now? I promise I’ll be better. I know my promises don’t mean much right now. But I won’t fuck up again. I’ll keep my word.” He held his breath.
Wraith stared at him for a second. Then he shook his head. “I don’t want a fresh start.”
Konrad swallowed. “I understand. What I did was inexcusable.” He began to pull his hand away.
But Wraith’s grip on his tightened. “You hurt me. You really hurt me, Konrad. I—” Then Wraith exhaled. “Still, I don’t want a fresh start, because I don’t want to forget the time we’ve already had together.
“Truth is, I’ve loved spending time with you,” Wraith said. “Being with you has been incredible, and I’ve developed feelings for you. I don’t want to just sweep that all behind us and pretend it never happened. I don’t want to forget the good because of the bad.”
Wraith’s dark eyes met his. “But please don’t hurt me like that again. I want to be able to trust you. So in the future, please trust me too, okay?”
Konrad nodded. “I will. I’ll be so much better. You’ll see.” His lungs expanded in his chest, and he thought they might burst. “But do you really mean it? Would you really give me another chance?”
Wraith smiled. “I don’t want a future with you not in it.”
A laugh of relief escaped Konrad. He reached into the bath and gripped Wraith by the waist. He lifted him out, water and suds splashing.
Wraith yelped. “What are you doing?” He laughed, wrapping his arms around Konrad’s shoulders. “The water is going everywhere!”
“I don’t care.” Konrad twirled him around, water flying. Then he pulled Wraith close, squeezing him tight. “I never want to let you go.” He pressed kisses to Wraith’s cheeks, nose, face, and hair whilst water soaked Konrad’s clothes.
Wraith giggled and wrapped his legs around Konrad’s waist. “I never want to let you go either.”
“I love you,” Konrad said. “I love you so much. I’ve never felt like this for anyone before.
And I will be good to you, Wraith. You won’t regret giving me a second chance.
I’ll be the best and most attentive husband you could ever wish for.
I’ll take care of you and do everything to ensure you are beyond happy in Draconia. ”
Wraith kissed Konrad’s nose. “I love you too, Konrad. And I’ll hold you to that.”
For the first time since the previous morning, when Konrad had woken beside Wraith, before Clara and her bullshit, before the battle, before Wraith passing out, and before watching over Wraith unconscious, terrified and scared that Wraith would never wake again, Konrad could breathe.
He carried Wraith to the bed and laid him down. Umbra lay on the floor by the bed. She looked up as if to make sure her human was still fine before closing her eyes and returning to sleep.
“More rest?” Konrad asked.
Wraith shook his head. He tugged on Konrad’s wet sleeve.
“I think you need to get out of these damp clothes,” Wraith said.
Konrad raised an eyebrow. “Do I? And then what do you want me to do?”
“Then I want you to fuck me.”
Heat raced to Konrad’s cock. “Are you sure you’re up for that?”
Wraith sat up. “I want to taste you and touch you and feel that you love me.”
Konrad stood, reaching for the buttons of his tunic. “Then I better get undressed.”