Page 41 of Courting the Dragon Prince (A Royal Arrangement #1)

Chapter Forty-One

L uther stretched his long neck forward. He opened his wings wide. He flapped.

Onyx’s cry of shock morphed into laughter as they lifted off from the courtyard.

Luther smiled as he beat his wings, taking them higher and higher until they soared above the monastery.

“This is incredible!” Onyx screamed.

Luther could feel Onyx’s weight shifting in the harness on his back as Onyx leaned to the side so he could get a better view of the copper rooftops of the towers, spires, and halls.

He really isn’t scared of heights.

Although the harness had straps that held Onyx securely in place, Luther knew most riders just clung to the pommel, body flattened to the dragon’s back, too scared of falling to take in the view.

And here was Onyx, two seconds into the flight, leaning out, not scared at all of tumbling off Luther’s back to his death. Luther was impressed.

Although, honestly, Luther didn’t have much experience with people riding on his back. During the war, all dragons had been trained to carry riders in case they needed to transport individuals who couldn’t themselves shift and fly. But Luther had not been required to do that during the war.

And Luther had never actually offered to let anyone ride him before. After all, those closest to him were dragons themselves.

But when Onyx had offered to keep him company, Luther had wanted that. So he’d offered. Luther was glad he had. Luther had tried to make it sound like it wasn’t a big deal. But he could see in Onyx’s eyes he knew what an honour it was to be invited to ride a dragon.

“Mighty mountain spirits, what a view! What a magnificent fucking view!” Onyx yelled, slapping Luther’s back. “Woooo!”

Luther didn’t think he’d ever heard Onyx so … carefree, so exuberant. Normally, the earth elemental was so controlled and reserved.

Luther was pleased he could give this to Onyx. Proud even.

And to think, everything had almost gone terribly wrong earlier with Onyx yelling at him, Luther yelling back, them once again fighting.

This was better. Flying through a starry, cloudless sky together was definitely better.

“Can we fly towards them?” Onyx yelled.

Luther craned his neck to look back at Onyx. Onyx pointed at the mountains in the distance. Luther huffed a laugh.

Of course Onyx wants to go to the mountains.

Luther swerved, tilting his massive wings and body as he angled them in the direction Onyx had pointed.

Onyx let out a startled cry as Luther’s whole body tipped to the side. Luther glanced back to ensure Onyx was all right. But although the man gripped the pommel tightly in his hands, a massive grin split his face as he stared below.

Onyx shook his head in amazement. “This really is incredible.” Onyx tore his gaze from the ground to look at Luther. “You can see so much from up here. It gives you a whole new perspective.”

Luther gazed down at the treetops of the forest, bathed in the soft blue light of the moon.

He’d been flying since puberty. It had been fun then, soaring with his siblings and friends as they explored Draconia.

In the years since, a lot of the wonder and awe of flying had disappeared. Especially once he’d joined the war. Being a dragon during the war had meant being a weapon who killed and fought. Now, after the war, he flew to try to exhaust himself so he could sleep.

When had he last flown for fun? When had he last found the joy in flight?

“And you fly so fast! We’re almost to the mountains already,” Onyx cried out.

Luther’s chest puffed up. Luther wished he could tell Onyx that not all dragons could fly this fast. Luther had always been a skilled and swift flyer. He would have to remember to casually mention it to Onyx afterwards so the earth elemental knew he’d flown on one of the fastest dragons in all of Draconia.

He would also have to remember to tell Onyx he could fly much faster than this too. But he’d been taught to fly slower with a rider on his back. Flying too fast could harm them.

Luther swerved as he guided them through the mountains. And each time Luther tilted his body and wings to the side, Onyx let out a whoop or cry of excitement.

He really enjoys this.

Luther flapped, taking them higher but not so high that the air would thin and Onyx would struggle to breathe. Then he slowed. He angled forward. He dove.

“Fuuuuuuck!” Onyx screamed.

At the last second, Luther pulled up, halting their descent, and stopping them crashing into the earth.

After a second, laughter burst from Onyx. “Oh! Oh! Fuck! My heart.”

Luther glanced back and saw Onyx shaking with the force of his laughter.

“That was so much fun.” Onyx wiped at his eyes.

Mirth bubbled up in Luther’s chest.

“You know what else would be fun?” Onyx reached out his hands in front of him. He took a deep breath.

Luther looked ahead. A boulder rose from the ground ahead of them.

Panic spiked inside Luther. His wings tensed as he prepared to evade a rock attack.

Then he remembered this was Onyx doing this. And earth elementals and dragons were no longer enemies at war.

He let out a breath, forcing his muscles to relax.

Also, Onyx would be a fool to try to take down a dragon he was riding. The boulder hurled to the side, crashing into a cliffside. Rock shattered and crumbled, falling to the earth.

Impressive. Luther could appreciate an earth elemental’s powers when they weren’t being directed against him or those he fought with.

A sliver of a memory started to unfurl inside Luther. He shoved it violently away.

“I’ve missed the mountains. I’ve missed hurling rocks,” Onyx said. “And don’t worry. The grand monk said no one lives out here.”

Good to know.

Truthfully, Luther hadn’t thought about it. But he was glad Onyx had and that he wasn’t just carelessly hurling rocks into cliffsides where rocks could fall and crush a village or a hapless individual.

Another boulder flew through the air in front of them. Luther snapped his wings. He dove towards the boulder as it hurtled towards the earth.

“What are you—” Onyx didn’t have time to finish his question.

Luther opened his mouth. Fire burst forth, hitting the stone straight on. A sharp crack filled the air, and fragments of stone split, flying in all directions. Luther halted their descent and flew upwards.

Onyx’s hand slapped Luther’s scales. “Incredible. Let’s do that again!” And before Onyx had finished speaking, another rock flung diagonally through the air in front of them.

Luther flew towards it, jaw gaping as flames burst forth and hit the rock.

Onyx cheered, and Luther roared.

They spent the next few hours flying, chasing boulders, hitting rocks with fire, swerving through the mountains, and then exploring more of the island.

And as the sun rose over the horizon, Luther took Onyx out over the ocean. The pinks, oranges, and golds of the sunrise reflected on the sparkling water.

Luther couldn’t help but think about all the times he’d flown through the night in an attempt to exhaust himself so he could sleep. It had never been wondrous. It had been a means to an end.

But because of this right here, with Onyx on his back, warm hand pressed to Luther’s scales, he remembered what a gift it was to be able to fly.

Thank you, Onyx, for returning this to me.

They went back to the monastery shortly after dawn. Movement in the gardens and windows told Luther people had started to rise.

Luther landed in the courtyard. Onyx undid the straps and climbed off his back. Then Luther waited as Onyx removed the harness. A servant came forward with his—or more accurately, Onyx’s—robe, which Luther had borrowed. Onyx gave the servant the harness to put away and took the robe.

Luther closed his eyes, focusing on an image of his human body. He let the shift take him. His tail retracted, limbs and torso shortened, and scales turned to skin. After a few seconds, he crouched in his human form in the monastery courtyard.

Onyx stepped forward, holding out the robe as Luther straightened.

Luther put on the robe. “Thanks.”

“No.” Onyx shook his head. “Thank you. I haven’t enjoyed myself like that in … I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed myself like that.”

A surge of pride warmed Luther’s chest. “I’m glad. I enjoyed it too. More than I have in a very long time.” Luther noticed the bags beneath Onyx’s eyes. “Are you tired?”

“I am.” Onyx nodded. “Although, I can’t complain. You were the one who did all the work. I just sat there whilst you flew us over the island.”

Luther shrugged. “I recall you threw a few rocks.”

Onyx laughed, then turned and began to walk to the doors leading back into the monastery. “Remember when you called me a mountain climber and I asked how that was an insult?”

“I do.” Luther fell into step beside Onyx. That had seemed an age ago. However, it was just a few days ago.

“You told me I’d understand the insult if I could fly over mountains.” Onyx grinned at him. “I definitely understand now. Next time I have to hike or climb mountains, I’ll be wishing I could be soaring over them instead.” Onyx stared up at the sky.

Luther chuckled.

“I’m going to go back to bed for a bit.” Onyx glanced at Luther. “Want to join me?”

“For a nap. Or for other activities.” Luther wiggled his eyebrows.

“Nap first. I’m wrecked. Then maybe other activities.” Onyx smiled, dark eyes twinkling.

At that moment, Luther found it hard to believe there’d been a time when he’d never seen Onyx smile or laugh.

They walked silently through the corridors. Several warrior monks guarded the monastery. Servants bowed as Luther and Onyx passed. Monks inclined their heads in greeting. No one but the servants and monks seemed to be up and about this early.

When Luther and Onyx entered Onyx’s room, they undressed and got into bed. Luther pulled the blankets over them, hoping the nightmares would leave him alone for a few hours.

Onyx reached out, gripped Luther’s wrist, and tugged. With a sigh, Luther buried his face in Onyx’s broad chest.

Onyx wrapped his arms around Luther. “I just wanted to say sorry again for before.”

“It’s fine, Onyx.”

“It’s not.” Onyx paused. “If you have nightmares and need to get up and leave, I won’t jump to conclusions again. I promise. And if you want to go for another fly and want company, today or another time, feel free to wake me.” Onyx squeezed him.

Luther’s throat tightened as he felt less alone than he had in a long time. “You don’t have to do that.”

Onyx chortled. “You make it sound like I’m doing you a favour. Trust me, I’m not. I get to ride a dragon! I’d be a fool to miss out on that!”