Page 40 of Courting the Dragon Prince (A Royal Arrangement #1)

Chapter Forty

O nyx squinted in the lantern-light at Luther standing before the door in a robe. His sleep-addled mind tried to work out what Luther was doing. Then Onyx realised Luther was probably just going to relieve himself.

“I … ah …” Luther’s gaze darted away … almost guiltily. “I … just?—”

But why would Luther feel guilty about going to the garderobe?

Onyx sat up in the bed, suspicion replacing sleepiness. “Why are you sneaking out of my room in the middle of the night?”

Before Luther had a chance to speak, the answer slammed into Onyx’s chest.

He is on his way to meet someone.

And why exactly would Luther be meeting someone in the middle of the night? Disappointment and hurt settled heavily in Onyx’s gut.

Which of Luther’s many lovers had he arranged a midnight rendezvous with? Prince Elias? Someone else? He seemed awfully close to Lord Barrett Morton.

Onyx swallowed the bitterness in his mouth. Onyx was no fool. He hadn’t expected a single afternoon and night together would mean a lifetime of love and devotion.

But Onyx had thought, or hoped, that after everything that had happened between them that day, Luther might think enough of Onyx not to sneak out of his bed in the middle of the night to fuck someone else.

“So who exactly are you going to meet?” Onyx asked, unable and unwilling to keep the disgust from his voice.

“What?” Luther blinked at him.

“Which of your many lovers are you going to offer your arse to?”

Luther reared back as if struck. “That’s not what I’m doing!”

Onyx scoffed. “No. You’re just slipping off in the middle of the night for no reason.”

Onyx rose. He didn’t want to fight with Luther whilst reclining in bed. He just wished he weren’t naked. Onyx felt that shouting at someone whilst nude diminished the point one was trying to make.

“I can’t believe you.” Onyx’s voice rose. “ You asked to sleep here tonight, and now you’re creeping off without a word to go and fuck someone else.”

“That’s not what’s happening!” Luther’s hands balled into fists.

“Then tell me what is!” Onyx yelled.

Luther didn’t respond for a second, just glared at Onyx. “I’m going flying.”

“Flying?” Onyx laughed. “It’s the middle of the fucking night. You think I’m foolish enough to believe that? Don’t lie to me!”

“It’s the truth.” Luther took a step towards him. “I’m not lying!” Luther said through gritted teeth. “I just …” He trailed off. He looked down at the floor.

“Just what? Struggling to come up with a believable lie, Luther?” Onyx spat.

Luther’s mouth moved, but no words came forth. “I get nightmares,” Luther said finally, his voice soft. “I fly when I get nightmares.”

“Nightmares?” Onyx blinked, trying to process that. “You get nightmares? About what?”

Luther’s mouth snapped shut.

Onyx studied Luther’s face, his expression. With a shock, Onyx realised it wasn’t guilt on Luther’s face. It was shame. He was ashamed of these nightmares.

“It doesn’t matter.” Luther gave a shake of his head. “I shouldn’t have said anything.”

Onyx stood frozen, unable to form words. He wished he could take back the accusations he’d hurled in anger.

Because clearly, the nightmares mattered. They mattered enough that Luther couldn’t sleep, couldn’t stay in bed. They were so bad he had to get up to go and fly.

“I’ll just go.” Luther swallowed. “Sorry to wake you.” He paused. “But ah … thanks. I don’t sleep well. And even with these nightmares, this is the best sleep I’ve had in a long time.”

From the moment they’d met, Onyx had a picture of Luther in his head. A picture of an arrogant, spoiled, selfish, egoistic young man, uncaring and untouched by the devastation and pain of the war.

Onyx had despised and loathed that man with his entire being.

But the more he saw of Luther, the more he wondered how much of that picture was the truth. Luther definitely projected that image of himself. He wanted others to believe it. But why?

Maybe so they wouldn’t see what the charming, flippant dragon prince was underneath.

But Onyx could see through the cracks now.

And he’d assumed that when he saw Luther drunk, exhausted, or dishevelled, it was because Luther was just gallivanting and fooling around, shirking duties, not taking anything seriously, including the treaty. But maybe that wasn’t the truth.

Because Luther had nightmares. So bad he didn’t sleep well. So bad he was ashamed of them.

Onyx didn’t understand Luther. Not really.

“I’m sorry,” Onyx said. “I shouldn’t have made assumptions.”

Luther lifted his head and laughed, a cheery, carefree sound, so discordant with what Onyx had observed a moment before.

But Onyx could see through the illusion Luther was trying to craft.

“It’s fine, Onyx.” Luther’s gaze lifted, but he looked at the wall behind Onyx, not meeting Onyx’s eyes. “Don’t worry about it. After all, it’s an easy enough mistake.” He grinned. “I am always rushing around to meet up with my next conquest.” He spoke fast, words hurrying into one another.

How had Onyx missed this? Missed the fact that this persona Luther presented was a complete facade.

Maybe because Luther was a brilliant liar.

“It’s not fine.” Onyx walked towards Luther. “I shouldn’t have accused you at the very least. And I’m glad you slept well here.”

Luther flashed another smile in Onyx’s direction, but once again, his gaze did not meet Onyx’s. “Well, I’m off to fly, then.” He gave a cheery wave. He turned towards the door, raising his hand to the handle.

“Do you want company?” Onyx blurted out, not wanting to leave things like this between them. “Sorry. Stupid question. You are going to fly, and I can’t.”

Luther didn’t say anything. He faced the door, back to Onyx. After several heartbeats, his hand dropped. Slowly, he turned back to Onyx, the smile gone, his expression filled with uncertainty.

“I mean,” Luther hesitated. “You could ride on my back. If you wanted.”

“Really?” Onyx asked.

“You probably just want to go back to sleep though.” Luther gestured to the bed. “After all, it is the middle of the night.”

“Luther, are you serious?” Onyx asked in disbelief.

Luther frowned. “What do you mean?”

Onyx took a step towards him. “You offered to let me fly with you, to ride on your back whilst you are a dragon, and you’d think for a second that I’d prefer to sleep? Of course I want to ride a fucking dragon!”

“I don’t know. Maybe you’re scared of heights?” Luther smiled, and this felt like a true smile. Not like the feigned smiles of a few moments before.

Onyx huffed. “I’m an earth elemental from the Grey Mountains. I can handle heights.”

Luther chuckled and shrugged. “Well, skies are much higher than mountains.”

“I’ll be fine,” Onyx said firmly. “But Luther, would you really let me ride you?” To Onyx, it felt … personal, like the sort of thing you’d only allow those you deeply trusted.

“As I recall, I’ve let you ride me several times now.” Luther’s smile turned wicked, and he wiggled his eyebrows.

Onyx laughed. “You know what I mean.”

“Just promise you won’t vomit on my back mid-flight,” Luther said.

“I promise.”