“What is the purpose of this peace assembly, Konrad?” King Alaric interrupted.
Konrad’s brows furrowed. “To make peace.”
The king nodded. “Yes. To make peacewith our enemies. And who are our enemies?”
Konrad blinked, clearly taken aback by the obvious question. “Ah … Botanial, Voltaria, Zephyrias, the Grey Mountains, and?—”
“And Necros!” the kingfinished for him. “The necromancers are our enemies. We are here to make peace with them. We do not have to like them. We do not have to trust them. We do not have to wish them well or hope they live long and prosperous lives. We just need to find a way to make peace to stop the war so our bloodline does not continue to weaken. Can you understand that?”
“Of course. But?—”
“Then why do you keep trying to undermine that peace?”
Konrad shook his head. “I’m not! I’m trying to?—”
“You keep protesting making peace with Necros. You keep attempting to weasel out of marrying Shadow Prince Wraith.” His voice rose. “You keep trying to undermine the peace treaty, that I, your king, am trying to create. You keep undermining me!”
Konrad’s eyes widened.
“If you continue in this behaviour, I will have no choice but to name Liesel as my heir,” their father said, voice as hard and unyielding as flint.
Konrad reeled back as if slapped. Gerard sucked in a breath. Liesel had been trained as Konrad’s spare. But not for a second had anyone thought the king might choose to make her his heir instead of Konrad.
Honestly, Gerard hadn’t even known that was possible.
“Your protests will stop now, Konrad. As your king, I command you to marry Shadow Prince Wraith and seal the peace treaty.” The kind stepped forward. He was a similar height and build to Konrad. But at that moment, he seemed to tower over him. “Give me your word, as my heir, as my son, that you will marry him.”
Konrad swallowed. He did not speak for several long moments. “I promise.”
The king continued to stare at his eldest son.
“I give you my word,” Konrad said. “I swear to you. I vow that I will marry Shadow Prince Wraith. I will obey you in this.”
“Good.” Then the king turned and strode from the room.
Konrad didn’t move. He just stayed standing as if in shock.
“Konrad?” Luther leaned towards him.
But Konrad just stormed out.
Chapter
Thirty-Three
Elias sat in a loose silk robe at his dresser, smoothing oil through his hair.
It’s my wedding tomorrow. I’ll be married to Gerard Drachen, the dragon warrior prince.
Elias smiled. Coming to this peace assembly, his goal had been to be married to someone who didn’t revolt him. He’d hoped to find someone he could respect, tolerate, and make small talk with as they presented a united front to the public. He’d never dreamed he might actually like his spouse.
But that was what had happened.
Of course, if he was being honest with himself, he could admit he’d liked the dragon warrior almost immediately. Strangely, he’d liked him because he’d felt an unusual bond from the fight that had occurred between them two years ago, which had almost resulted in their mutual destruction.
That bond had made him want to be near the man. To be close. And now they would be married, locked together until one of them died.
When it became apparent that Gerard really dislikedElias, he’d been surprisingly hurt. He’d been determined to charm Gerard and make him like Elias.
