Page 26 of Courting the Dragon Prince (A Royal Arrangement #1)

Chapter Twenty-Six

I ’m married. I’m married to a man who looks down on me. To a man who despises me. To a man who is disgusted by me and disgusted by his desire for me.

Onyx hates me. My husband hates me.

Luther angled his body away from Onyx. They sat at a special table set up for the two of them at the front of the banquet hall for their wedding feast. Now everyone could stare at the happy couple.

Flowers of green and orange, garlands, and bowls of grapes and berries decorated the small table. At marriages in Draconia, the married pair were meant to feed each other choice morsels from their own plates as they stared adoringly into each other’s eyes.

Onyx and Luther weren’t doing that.

Luther stared at all the people eating and drinking in the banquet hall, wishing he could be amongst them and not here beside Onyx.

He ate, not tasting the food. He drank his wine in gulps.

He didn’t know why it hit him so hard. He’d had plenty of time to get used to the fact he was marrying Onyx. It shouldn’t feel like such a shock, like such a slap to the balls.

Luther drank down the rest of his wine. He motioned for a servant to refill it.

“Don’t you think you should slow down?” Onyx muttered.

“No. I don’t think I shall, dear husband,” Luther said as the servant filled his goblet. “And the wine is so good tonight.” And he’d only drunk one cup so far.

But instead of drinking, he set his metal goblet on the table. For some reason, he didn’t want to deal with Onyx’s disapproval, which was strange. Normally, he liked to rile Onyx up. Tonight, he just lacked the energy. He slid his finger along the goblet’s stem, shoulders sagging.

Perhaps he’d just not realised how much it would hurt to be married to someone who thought him to be worthless.

Luther stared into his goblet of wine. For many, marriage was about love. And although Luther had never expected that for himself, he’d never considered he might marry someone who loathed him.

Now he wouldn’t be able to escape Onyx. Ever. They’d been bound together for life. They couldn’t even be apart for long periods of time.

And every time Luther looked into Onyx’s eyes, he’d see how Onyx saw him. His fingers tightened on the goblet’s stem. He’d see Onyx’s hatred, his disgust. He’d see that Onyx saw him as nothing more than a failure.

And Luther was pretty sure Onyx was right.

Luther felt exposed before all in the banquet hall like his skin had been flayed, and he sat here raw and bleeding on the floral padded chair.

Luther took a shaky breath. He stared at the table where his family sat.

How much longer did he have to sit with Onyx? How much longer until he could get up and leave?

People began to rise from their tables. Luther prepared to stand, but the people approached Luther and Onyx’s table, Luther’s father amongst them. Luther collapsed back in his chair.

“Congratulations to you both,” Luther’s father said. “Your wedding has been a success without any issues. I’m sure your marriage itself will be just as successful.”

“Thank you, Father,” Luther said.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Onyx inclined his head.

A steady stream of individuals congratulated them. Luther smiled so hard he thought his teeth might shatter into a million pieces and his jaw might snap.

How long until he could escape?

Luther stifled a laugh. But then what? What did he expect would happen then?

He could leave his husband for a moment. But there would be no escaping him. Not really.

The well-wishers dwindled. Without looking at Onyx, Luther rose and began to circle the room, stopping to make mindless and pointless chatter to everyone and anyone. He put on all his charm, letting the shine of his smile, the brightness of his eyes, and his laughter cover the pain and emptiness beneath.

As he glided around the banquet hall, it barely felt like he was present at all. It was as if he watched himself from a great distance.

“You all right, Luther?” Gerard asked softly as he came up beside him. “You look … odd.”

“Of course.” Luther smiled. “I’m doing my duty as Father instructed.” He laughed, a light trilling noise. “And I’m married to such a competent warrior. Who cares if he hates me?”

His brother frowned and opened his mouth.

But Luther glided on, making the rounds. He spotted Prince Elias Storm standing amongst several people.

“Would you like to see a trick?” the lightning prince asked those gathered around him. Then he spotted Luther, their eyes locking. “I hope this brightens your wedding feast, Prince Luther.”

And for a second, Luther felt some sort of … strange understanding pass between them. Like perhaps they were both used to putting on a show for others.

Then Prince Elias lifted his hands into the air. “May your marriage always be filled with love and … sparkles!” Flashes of light crackled, dancing on his palms before shooting upwards.

Gasps and claps followed.

“Thank you.” Prince Elias laughed. “Unfortunately, that is all my powers can achieve. I may have been born a rather pathetic lightning sorcerer. But it makes for a pretty party trick.”

Prince Elias flicked his white hair over his shoulders. He held up his hands once more, and bright sparks of lightning filled the air above him.

Luther smiled and clapped.

“Could you at least give it a rest during our wedding feast?” Onyx asked from behind him, his deep voice resonating down Luther’s spine.

Luther’s smile dropped, his whole body sagging as the illusion he had crafted collapsed in a split second. “Give what a rest, dear husband?”

“Staring at your lover,” Onyx bit out.

Gathering all his strength, he pulled a smile from the bottom of his bitter soul and turned to face Onyx.

“Why? It’s not like you want me.” Then Luther chuckled. “Or maybe you do now that you’re allowed to want me. Is that right? After all, since we are married and it is your duty to consummate the marriage, it’s no longer disgusting and beneath you to find me desirable. Correct?”

“What?” Onyx frowned. “I never?—”

But Luther didn’t let him finish the sentence. He placed his hand in the crook of Onyx’s arm and smiled at those mingling around him.

“Well, it is our wedding day.” Luther raised his voice.

Everyone around them stopped speaking and turned towards them.

“And since the night draws ever later, I think it best that my new husband and I retreat to our rooms whilst we still have energy.” Luther winked and squeezed Onyx’s arm. “After all, we still need to seal this marriage.”

Onyx tensed.

Around him, everyone laughed, clapped, and cheered.

Luther walked, tugging Onyx with him. He threw a smile over his shoulder at the guests as he and Onyx made their way to the banquet hall’s doors. He gave a little wave as they left.

Then they were walking silently down the corridors through the monastery. Servants bowed as Luther and Onyx passed.

Luther sighed. He was so sick of this. Sick of feeling gloomy and morose. He was sick of feeling sorry for himself. He’d done enough of that for today. For a lifetime.

Luther lifted his chin, coming to a decision. He straightened, determined not to spend a moment more wallowing.

Tonight they’d fuck. Which of course they would because that was part of their marriage contract and, thus, their duty. Which was all Onyx cared about. And maybe this would be the last time they fucked, since they’d not be required to do so again.

If that was the case, then Luther would ensure he enjoyed every single second of it.

He would make sure Onyx enjoyed it too. He’d make the man lose control completely. He’d make him spend so hard. He’d give Onyx the best sex he’d ever had in all his life or would ever have again.

Onyx would not regret him. Not tonight.