Page 19 of Courting the Dragon Prince (A Royal Arrangement #1)

Chapter Nineteen

O nyx leaned back against the bar.

Luther turned to look at him. His eyes narrowed.

“That wasn’t an insult. You have a talent for making others comfortable.” Onyx gestured to the room. “You seem to get along with everyone. It’s a good skill to have.”

“Thanks.” Luther lifted his mug in a toast. “To the couple’s quest completed!”

“To the couple’s quest completed,” Onyx repeated and clinked their mugs together.

Luther lifted the mug of ale to his lips.

And suddenly, Onyx was remembering kissing those lips. He looked away as he drank from his mug.

He needed to focus. They were getting along. He needed to keep their relationship simple and straightforward.

No need to diverge into realms and spaces that would complicate matters. If they could manage a civil relationship, that would be best for the treaty and for their kingdoms.

Luther leaned towards him, pressing their shoulders together. “We should celebrate our victory.”

Onyx laughed. “Isn’t that what we are doing?” He gestured with his mug to the villagers dancing, before gazing back at Luther.

His stomach tightened. Because the look in Luther’s green eyes told Onyx exactly what type of celebrations he was thinking of.

Luther smirked. He lifted his arm and rested it on the bar behind Onyx. Warm fingers grazed the nape of Onyx’s neck. Onyx’s pulse stuttered. He sucked in a breath.

“I was thinking of a more private type of celebration,” Luther said softly, leaning in close. “They have rooms to let upstairs.” The light from the candles danced on his skin.

Onyx imagined moving in closer, touching Luther’s soft, warm cheek, tasting his lips, hearing his delicious groan.

He blinked. No. Onyx needed to keep in control. Not make another mistake.

He needed to keep this relationship uncomplicated. That was what he’d just decided. He needed to stick to that. They didn’t need a relationship where they flung between fighting and fucking.

That would help no one, no matter how much he wanted to spread Luther beneath him and sink his cock inside his tight arse. His cock thickened as the image sprang to mind.

“No.” Onyx gave a jerky shake of his head. “That would be a mistake.”

Luther smiled tightly. “Okay.” He leaned back and dropped his arm. “That’s fine.” He turned his gaze to the people. But before he did, Onyx saw the hurt flash in Luther’s eyes.

Onyx cleared his throat. He needed to explain that this would be the best for their kingdoms and the treaty. “I just think?—”

“It’s fine, Onyx. I accept your decision. You’ve made it crystal clear what you think,” Luther interrupted, voice steady and tight. “You don’t have to explain.” He didn’t look at Onyx. He just kept staring straight ahead. “Earlier was a mistake. That’s what you said.” He lifted his mug and drank. “I’m sorry I offered.”

Onyx took a deep breath. “I just think, if you thought about it sensibly and reasonably, you’d agree with me.”

Luther reared back and glared at him. “Excuse me? If I thought sensibly and reasonably, is that what you said?”

“I mean …,” Onyx stammered. “We need to focus on our duty. On doin?—”

“Can you give the sanctimonious bullshit a rest for a single fucking minute?” Luther bit out. “If you don’t want to fuck me, that’s fine. I’m not going to press. I’m not going to try and convince you. But don’t talk to me like I’m a fool.” He shook his head. “You think you’re so much better than me.”

“I never said?—”

“And I’m so sick of being lectured about doing my duty.” Luther inhaled sharply.

“Duty is import?—”

“I’m here! I’m marrying you! I turn up to meetings. I’m going through the courtship rituals. I did this couple’s quest. I am doing my duty for Draconia!” Luther stabbed his finger in the middle of Onyx’s chest. “I have done everything I have been told to do.”

The annoyance spiked inside Onyx. He knocked Luther’s hand away. “Would you stop interrupting me and let me finish a single damn sentence!”

Luther’s nostrils flared. “Fine.” He leaned back. “Go ahead.” He crossed his arms. “Say whatever you want to say that’s so important.”

“Well …” All Onyx’s words had flown from his mind.

Why couldn’t he keep his temper around Luther? Why did Luther overreact to every single damn thing?

Onyx growled and turned away from him. A couple of the villagers stared at them, but most seemed too involved in drinking, laughing, and dancing to pay them much mind.

Thankfully, neither Onyx nor Luther had shouted as they’d fought.

All the fight drained out of Onyx in an instant. He sighed. “I’m tired. I’m going to speak to Mistress Fisher about getting a room. For myself,” he clarified, in case that wasn’t clear. “I really need a wash.”

After their quest today, Onyx wanted to clean away the dirt, the mud, and any bits of snail gut that clung to him.

Luther sniffed. “I suppose you must feel desperate to wash my repulsive touch from earlier from your body.”

Onyx’s brows furrowed. “That’s not what I?—”

“Well, we completed the couple’s quest,” Luther said, interrupting him. Again. “We’re done.”

Onyx pressed his lips together, determined not to snap at the infuriating prince.

Luther chugged the rest of his ale. He put the mug on the bar. “I’m going to shift and fly back to the White Monastery.” He gestured to Mistress Fisher. He reached into a pocket, pulled out a coin-purse, counted out several coins, and handed them to Mistress Fisher.

“That’s far too much, my lord.” Mistress Fisher tried to give him back half the coins.

But Luther smiled, all charm and grace once again. Any annoyance he’d had for Onyx was gone completely from his face.

How did he do that? How did his expressions change so fast?

“No, please. You’ve been such an incredible and welcoming hostess tonight,” Luther gushed. He leaned across the bar, patting her hand. “I’ve enjoyed myself immensely tonight in your fine establishment.”

She blushed and pocketed the coins. “Thank you, my lord.”

Luther, still smiling, turned away from her and strode towards the door. Not sparing a single glance at Onyx. Onyx clenched his fists, following Luther.

Luther paused just before he exited. “Good night, all. I must part and bid you a fond farewell.” Luther waved and smiled at everyone.

Those in the inn yelled their thanks and well wishes. Many followed Luther out the door.

“You’re just going to fly off?” Onyx asked on Luther’s heels. “How am I going to get back?”

Luther turned and stared at him, green eyes blank. “I don’t know, Onyx. You always know best. Surely you can work that out on your own.”

Onyx opened his mouth. But Luther had already walked away from him. Then he stopped a bit of a distance away. He undressed, shoving his clothes into the pack.

The villagers whispered whilst Onyx watched Luther reveal his toned, gorgeous body, knowing he’d turned down the opportunity to spend the night fucking Luther.

Luther stood tall. The air around him began to ripple. The scent of smoke drifted on the air.

For the second time that day, Onyx watched in awe as Luther shifted into a magnificent green dragon. Onyx hated to admit that it truly was a sight to behold.

Luther rotated his body until he faced the villagers. He lowered his head, as if bowing to them. He picked up the pack in his taloned foot. He spread his giant wings wide. He flapped, launching himself into the air.

The villagers gasped and cried out.

But Onyx just stood, watching his betrothed grow smaller and smaller, wondering how it had all gone so wrong so very quickly.

He’d hoped to build something where they could work together without bickering constantly. That was why he’d turned down Luther’s offer.

But it seemed he’d achieved the complete opposite outcome.

Why was Luther so temperamental? Why couldn’t he just listen and behave himself for one fucking second without storming, or flying, off?

Onyx shook his head.

The villagers headed back inside, talking excitedly. After several moments, Onyx followed. He needed to rent a room from Mistress Fisher.