Page 33 of Courting the Dragon Prince (A Royal Arrangement #1)

Chapter Thirty-Three

“A ll right,” Luther said, disoriented by the sudden shift in Onyx’s behaviour.

One moment, Onyx had been calling Luther a selfish prick. The next, he had been offering to let Luther sleep in his room.

“This way.” Onyx turned.

Luther silently followed him. But why had Onyx invited Luther to sleep in his room?

When Onyx had initially suggested it, Luther assumed it was because Onyx wanted to fuck. Whilst Luther normally would have been interested, right now he didn’t think he could manage. He felt wrung out like a wet cloth.

Had they really only gotten married yesterday?

Since their wedding, they’d fought and fucked and fought again. Now they might have made up. It was hard to keep track.

Especially since Luther had spent the night fucking Onyx, flying, dancing, and trying to exhaust himself, only to return to the monastery and realise he was late to a surprise tea party.

Why had they even had tea together the morning after their wedding? What if Onyx and Luther had had a sleepless night because they’d been busy fucking? It all seemed extremely inconsiderate.

At least Onyx appeared to have forgiven Luther for forgetting about his sister’s death. Luther speaking to the grand warden had seemed to soften him.

Luther stared at Onyx’s broad shoulders as he walked ahead of Luther. The man clearly cared for his mother and grieved his sister.

Luther understood grief.

“What’s the bag for?” Luther asked, noticing the pack slung over Onyx’s shoulder.

“Oh.” Onyx glanced at the bag as if only just realising it was there. “I … ah … I was thinking of riding out to the mountains.”

Luther blinked. “But not anymore?”

“No. Not anymore.” Onyx didn’t elaborate.

And Luther didn’t press.

They paused at a door that Luther assumed was Onyx’s. Onyx opened it.

A stupid sense of excitement sparked along Luther’s spine. Would it be easier to sleep in a room with Onyx? Would Onyx actually stay whilst Luther slept? Or would he leave Luther to attempt to sleep on his own?

It was all a bit odd and uncertain. And despite them being married, their relationship wasn’t really at a point where they were comfortable enough to nap in each other’s presence.

He followed Onyx into the room, glancing around. “Not bad.” Although, Luther noted Onyx’s room was rather plain compared to his.

Whilst it was spacious and the furnishings all appeared well made, the room lacked any pizzazz or opulence. The rugs, bed linen, and curtains all had been made from earthy-toned fabrics. No bright patterns or shiny threads of gold or silver had been woven through.

Only a couple of paintings of mountains decorated the walls. There were no grand tapestries or massive oil paintings of dragons in battle.

“I know it isn’t like your room,” Onyx said as if reading Luther’s mind. “We earth elementals pride ourselves on being practical rather than enjoying pretty fripperies.”

Luther laughed. “I wonder what my father would say to hear you describe dragons as enjoying pretty fripperies.”

Onyx smiled. “Probably best not to tell him.”

“It will be our secret,” Luther said.

“It’s interesting to me that the rooms are decorated specifically to the tastes of the different guests.” Onyx put down his pack, glancing around his room.

“I suppose it makes sense, since the monks host a lot of guests from the different kingdoms,” Luther mused as he walked past the table, chairs, and dresser.

Simple swirls had been carved into the wood. But nothing too extravagant. No phoenixes, nymphs, dragons, or griffin carvings here.

Luther spotted a massive slab of flat grey stone beneath one of the windows. He could practically lie out on it. Although, he couldn’t imagine the cold, hard stone would be comfortable.

“What’s that for?” Luther asked.

“Meditating,” Onyx answered.

Luther didn’t have much experience with that. “You meditate often?”

Onyx nodded. “Every day. We earth elementals meditate sitting on the stone. We feel the energy of it and let it flow through us. It’s important to do that regularly to maintain our ability to channel.”

Luther nodded, remembering the mountain temples. Apparently, the earth elementals had a special connection to the mountains and temples where they trained. During the war, the dragons had targeted them, knowing that if they destroyed them, it would weaken the earth elementals’ powers.

Luther had been on many missions where that had been the goal. He thought it best not to mention that to Onyx right now. Although, Onyx no doubt knew.

In fact, Luther had been leading his division to attack an earth elemental temple when everything had all gone so very wrong. His hand twitched at the memory.

“Feel free to wash before you rest,” Onyx said, interrupting Luther’s dark musings.

Luther let out a breath that he hadn’t realised he’d been holding.

Onyx gestured to a stand with a small basin of water. “But I can also call the servants to have a bath drawn.” Onyx glanced between the basin and the empty tub. He frowned as if uncertain. Which was out of character for Onyx. He always seemed to be a man of decisive action.

But honestly, Luther was too tired to think about that at the moment.

“I’ll just use the basin.” Luther tugged off his dirty clothes, dropping them on the floor. He walked towards the basin before picking up the cloth and dipping it in the water.

He rubbed the cool, wet cloth over his body, wiping away the grime and sweat of the night. He groaned as he slid the cloth over his face, neck, arms, back, and legs and behind his knees until every inch of him felt clean.

His neck prickled with awareness. He turned to find Onyx watching him.

Onyx’s lip quirked. “Sorry.”

“Don’t apologise.” Luther placed the cloth into the now dirty water. “You can watch me all you like.” He winked. “But that’s all you’re getting for now. I really am tired.”

“Well, feel free to sleep whenever you are ready.”

Luther crossed to the bed. He tugged back the sheets. He paused. “What will you do?”

Onyx’s brows drew low. “I … I am not sure. I honestly didn’t think about it when I invited you here.” More uncertainty.

Luther lay down, sinking into the deliciously soft mattress with a sigh. At least earth elementals didn’t sleep on rocks. “You could stay and do whatever you would normally do.”

“My presence won’t bother you?”

Please stay. “No.” Luther didn’t know why, but he felt like he might actually sleep if Onyx were here. Like Onyx’s mere presence might keep the nightmares at bay.

And the silence and being alone didn’t help him sleep. Maybe someone being present and moving around would.

Onyx stared at him for several long seconds. “All right. I have some papers from my uncle that I can read over. I might also meditate. I’ll try not to make too much noise.” He sat by the small table and picked up the papers.

Luther pulled the blanket up and over him.

Onyx stared at him for a few seconds before he bent his neck and began to read.

Luther closed his eyes. But despite his exhaustion, sleep didn’t take him. Not unusual.

After several minutes, he opened his eyes and watched Onyx. Paper rustled between Onyx’s fingers. His eyes darted back and forth. His mouth moved as he silently read the words. After a while, Onyx turned the page.

Slowly, Luther’s eyes grew heavy. Eventually, they fluttered shut.

When he opened his eyes again, the room had changed. The day had shifted to night.

Luther had slept. Surprised, he realised he’d slept better than he had in a long time. From the light, he could tell he’d slept for hours. He’d not woken once, which was a miracle. Nor had any nightmares terrorised him.

He was pretty sure he had Onyx to thank for that.

A lantern on the table was the only light in the room. A few plates of food sat alongside it. Although, one plate held only crumbs. A bottle of wine and a pitcher of water had also been placed on the table along with four glasses. Two of which held small amounts of liquid in the bottoms.

But Onyx no longer sat at the table. Instead, he sat cross-legged on the stone slab, eyes closed, hands resting on his knees, meditating.

Or at least Luther assumed this must be meditating. For several minutes, he stayed completely still, watching Onyx, revelling in the feeling of being well rested for once and enveloped in a warm cocoon of blankets.

How long had Onyx been sitting there?

Luther thought meditating looked quite boring. But maybe it didn’t feel boring. Maybe feeling the energy of the stone, or whatever Onyx had said, felt invigorating, felt magical. Onyx’s chest rose and fell slowly.

Luther snuggled down into the sheets. He wanted to stay where he was watching Onyx. But unfortunately, Luther’s full bladder made itself known and was becoming more demanding with every second that passed. He probably had the tea he’d drunk earlier in the day to thank for that.

Luther squirmed in the bed, knowing he needed to rise but not wishing to.

Onyx’s eyes opened. “You’re awake.”