Page 22 of Courting the Dragon Prince (A Royal Arrangement #1)

Chapter Twenty-Two

O nyx gazed down at the scroll. Signatures scrawled in rose-gold ink marked the papyrus paper, which wrapped around two large golden rods.

“This is where we sign our names when we join the monastic order,” the grand monk explained.

“It looks like many have signed their names,” Onyx said, taking in the thickness of the scroll.

“Every time the scroll is filled, more parchment is added so we can continue to grow.” The grand monk nodded. “We have been around for hundreds of years. Of course, at the beginning, the monastery itself was very small.”

Onyx glanced back the way he had come. “The White Monastery has a very interesting layout.”

“It does.” The grand monk chuckled. “And I hope you have been comfortable during your stay. We monks live simply. But we always strive to ensure the accommodations are appropriate for illustrious guests such as yourself.”

“I have been very comfortable,” Onyx said. “Thank you, Grand Monk.”

“Excellent.” The grand monk clasped his hands before him. “Of course, we could not have made the White Monastery what it is without the support from the different kingdoms.”

Onyx nodded. Many of the kingdoms provided money to the White Monastery for hosting these events and for the use of the monks’ magic. The kingdoms, along with many individuals, also donated money to the monks’ charitable works, such as their poorhouses, orphanages, and hospitals that existed throughout the different kingdoms.

But the monks had their own income as well. Those who trained to become healers at the Healing Dove Academy paid to study there. The monks also had their own city, a port town, and farmland on the island, which all produced income.

And when an individual joined the monkhood, they gave over their wealth, their land, and the money earned from that land to the monastic order. The land often became used for the doves’ charitable operations. Many nobles and rulers resented the presence of the monks within their kingdom.

Onyx had had a great-aunt who’d joined the monks long before the war. Her castle had become a combination of a hospital, and later, it had been used as a refuge for those displaced during the war with the dragons. He’d heard his uncle complain about the problems it had caused as his great-aunt had denied her children their inheritance.

Still, Onyx knew that the monks who now used what once had been his great-aunt’s castle had helped a great many people during the war. So perhaps her joining the monks and giving over her castle had been for the best.

The grand monk’s gaze returned to the scroll. “Each individual who signs their name binds themself to committing their life to peace.”

“A virtuous goal indeed,” Onyx said.

“It is.” The grand monk stared up at Onyx. “And like your marriage contract, the vows cannot be undone.”

Onyx’s throat tightened.

Once he was married to Luther, there would be no going back. For the rest of their lives, they’d reside together. He knew that. Still, every time he thought about it, his stomach sank.

The grand monk frowned. “I truly am sorry for what happened with the giant snails during the couple’s quest. If I’d known?—”

“You do not need to apologise again.” Onyx lifted his hand, trying to still the monk’s words.

When Onyx had returned to the White Monastery the day after the quest, riding on a horse purchased from Mistress Fisher, his uncle had come directly to him, clearly disconcerted by what had occurred. It seemed Luther had told them.

“When I received word from the villagers about the giant snails, I had no idea they were so dangerous.” The grand monk’s bushy brows furrowed. “From the message, I’d thought they were just destroying crops. And when your uncle went to set up the quest, he did not actually see the giant snails. When I think what could have happened.” A distressed noise escaped him.

“Please do not concern yourself, Grand Monk. We are both fine. We completed the quest. You do not need to worry,” Onyx assured him.

“That is kind of you, Warden Onyx. You are most generous with your forgiveness.” The grand monk shook his head. “But I must confess, it keeps me up at night, thinking how the quest could have gone if you’d not both been such capable warriors.

“And then what would have happened to the treaty?” The grand monk wrung his hands together. “It was my failure, and I will have to live with that.”

“I think you are too hard on yourself, Grand Monk.”

“I will strive to ensure nothing like that happens again,” the grand monk said with vehemence.

Onyx did not wish the old man to keep berating himself. He scrambled for a new topic. “How long ago did you sign the scroll and join the monks?”

“Oh.” The grand monk turned towards Onyx and blinked at him. “A bit over twenty years ago.”

“Really?” Onyx asked. “For some reason, I assumed you’d been here longer.”

The grand monk stared at the scroll, seemingly distracted from his guilt. “Well, there are those who joined the monks in childhood. But I was not called to the island as a boy. No. I was called to the path when I was forty-eight years old. I was a man full grown at that stage.”

“Where did you live before then?” Onyx asked.

“I am originally from Botanial, near the border with Draconia.” The grand monk smiled. “From a little fishing village on the sea. A place of no importance to anyone but those blessed enough to live there.”

“Why did you leave?” After all, it sounded like the old monk loved it.

The grand monk’s smile dimmed. “The war. Well, not technically the war. As I mentioned, we were on the border between Draconia and Botanial. Draconia invaded Botanial and took over our village.” He paused. “I left soon after.”

The monk stared at Onyx with milky grey eyes. “I have seen what fighting and war does. That is why I joined the Monks of the Way of the Dove. That is why I have pledged my life to building a new and better future for all. I do not wish for others to suffer like I did.”

“That is very honourable.” Onyx gazed down at the scroll, at the names signed on the parchment. “That is very honourable of all of you.”

So many had suffered because of the war. And what had it achieved?

“Sometimes I marvel,” the grand monk began, “that a poor boy from an insignificant village could become grand monk. But that is the beauty of monastic order. We do not see titles or bloodlines or wealth. We see into the hearts and souls of one another.” The grand monk paused. “I am truly honoured that my brethren elected me to such a role. That they saw my potential.”

The grand monk smiled. “You see me, the grand shield, the grand healer, and several other roles are all elected. We hold those roles until death. I take my role very seriously. I take leading the monks very seriously.”

Onyx nodded. “If my life had been different, maybe I could have joined. I think I’d make a better monk than I would grand warden.” Onyx would have preferred following orders to giving them.

The grand monk smiled gently. “Many from the different kingdoms have joined the doves. After fighting during the war, they welcome a chance to fight for peace. For some, it is a chance to atone for past actions and to redeem themselves after being the cause of so much pain.”

“I can understand that.” Onyx nodded. And the more he heard about the doves, the more he could picture himself as one. He knew several from the Grey Mountains, and the other kingdoms, who felt so guilty after the war they’d decided to follow the Way of the Dove and don the beige robes.

“But it is not an easy life,” the grand monk said. “We work hard. We spend our days tilling the soil, chanting, reading, scrubbing floors, and in silent contemplation. There are few rewards. It is a simple and humble life.”

“Sounds good to me,” Onyx said. “And I’m not used to a comfortable life. Like all earth elementals, I spent many years of my life training in a mountain temple. My sister and I both did. There were no servants or anything like that. We rose before the dawn. Went to bed late and slept in tiny stone huts. We washed in cold water. We grew or hunted all our own food. Cooked for ourselves too.”

But of course, Onyx could not join the monks. He had responsibilities to his family and kingdom.

The grand monk laughed. “That’s right. You earth elementals live quite simply too. Perhaps you are suited to this life.”

Onyx nodded. “Earth elementals develop their powers through discipline and by honing their bodies and minds.” Not like the dragons, who just inherited their powers. “We meditate daily. We sit on hard stone, clearing our minds of everything but the feel of the energy flowing through the rock.

“Eventually, we start to feel the energy flowing from the earth into our very being. From there, we learn to channel the energy, weave it, and control it and thus control the stone and earth itself.” Onyx remembered meditating with Tourmaline by his side.

But she was gone now.

So was the temple.

The dragons had taken all that away from him.

His hands clenched into fists, fingers digging into his palms. The rage built inside his belly. Anger flowed through his arteries. Anger at the vile dragon queen for invading their lands. Anger at all her descendants, including Luther, for fighting in the war that had resulted in his sister’s death.

Did any of them care about the destruction they’d caused with their invasion? Did they care how many had died? Or how many had suffered because of their arrogance and greed? Did they regret any of it?

His fists trembled with the fury he wanted to unleash on the dragons.

Then Onyx noticed the grand monk staring at him, watching him.

With effort, Onyx relaxed his fists. He let out a breath as he tried to release the anger.

“There are those who do not believe in the treaty, in seeking peace with those who were once their enemy,” the grand monk said, voice calm and even. He studied Onyx. “You lost a sister during the war, killed at the hands of the dragons. Do you truly wish for peace with them, Warden Onyx?”

Did the grand monk think Onyx was one of the individuals who stood against the treaty? Who might try to stop it?

“I do. I want peace.” Onyx shook his head, trying to regain control of his emotions. “I … I am angry at the dragons. That is true. And my sister’s death was—” Onyx’s hands twitched. “But I want peace. I want peace above everything.

“We can’t keep fighting them,” Onyx said. “We can’t keep losing people so pointlessly. We need the war to end. We need the destruction to end. And I will marry someone if it will bring peace.” Onyx took a deep breath. “I will do anything for peace.”

The grand monk stared at him for several long heartbeats. Then he smiled.

Onyx let out a breath.

“Perhaps you could have been one of us.” The grand monk paused. “But I think perhaps you have a different role to play.” The grand monk gripped Onyx’s shoulder. “I know the path to peace can be hard, painful even, but you are doing your part. That is what matters.”