Page 43 of Courting the Dragon Prince (A Royal Arrangement #1)

Chapter Forty-Three

O nyx’s fingers tightened around the stems of the goblets. He stared at Prince Elias and Luther whispering. They smiled and laughed, the very picture of lovers. Prince Elias placed a hand on Luther’s shoulder.

Onyx ground his teeth together. It was all too easy for Onyx to picture the two of them reclining in bed together, naked and sated after fucking.

Onyx’s body vibrated with anger. And hurt.

He wished it were just anger. He wished the only thing he felt towards the sight of Luther and his lover was anger at being disrespected publicly by his spouse.

But no. Hurt pulsed bitterly in Onyx’s chest. Hurt at being so easily forgotten by Luther. Hurt at being so easily replaced by Prince Elias in the two minutes it had taken for Onyx to get Luther another drink.

Onyx had not lost sight of the fact that this was an arranged marriage. Their union was only about sealing a peace treaty. And he’d known their vows and the words being true meant different things to them.

But they’d flown together. Luther had shown Onyx a world he’d never known. They’d spoken, opened up to each other, and shared snippets of wounds that they hid from the world.

That had meant something to Onyx. Did it mean nothing to Luther?

Did he let anyone ride on his back as he flew through the sky? Did he share his secrets with just anyone? Had Onyx imagined something between them that did not exist?

Onyx had not expected love with Luther. Although, maybe in the past couple of days, he’d felt a flare of hope once or twice.

But Onyx had thought they’d settled on an understanding of sorts, a softening towards each other, the beginnings of a friendship, a partnership.

Had Onyx expected Luther to give up his other lovers now that the two of them had gotten closer?

His stomach sank. Because he had. Onyx had hoped Luther would be satisfied with just him. After all, the sex had been incredible. At least, Onyx thought so. Had it not been good enough to satisfy Luther?

I’m a fool. A sentimental fool.

Luther lifted his gaze. He spotted Onyx. He froze. The laughter died on his lips. He stepped away from Prince Elias.

Onyx should have fled when he saw the two of them all cosied up together. But he hadn’t because he’d been too busy staring at them, feeling wounded.

Luther smiled at Onyx, lifted his hand, and beckoned Onyx to approach.

Onyx swallowed. Did he really wish to join Luther and his lover and watch them flirt? He glanced at Prince Elias. Onyx did not fight the disdain that must be showing on his face.

After several seconds, he walked towards them. What else could he do?

Onyx wove through the crowds. Luther and Prince Elias spoke and kept casting glances his way.

What were they saying about him?

Prince Elias laughed.

Onyx’s shoulders tightened. Was he mocking Onyx? Were they both mocking him?

After all, Onyx lacked the grace and charm to match these two effervescent individuals. Still, he forced his feet onwards. But he didn’t even try to hide the glower he shot at Prince Elias as he reached them.

“Prince Elias.” Onyx inclined his head, letting his voice go deathly cold. He handed Luther his drink.

“Thank you.” Luther took a sip. He stared at Onyx. But no mirth danced in his eyes. He seemed almost wary.

“Warden Onyx, how nice to see you,” Prince Elias said, smiling sweetly.

Onyx grunted, wanting to punch him in his beautiful teeth.

The lightning prince’s smile widened, the man completely unfazed by Onyx’s rudeness. “Well, it was lovely running into you both. But I must dash off. I must speak to a friend I see over there.” Then he glided off without another word, not waiting for either Onyx or Luther to respond.

Onyx stared after Prince Elias, watching his hips sway as he made his way through the people, many of whom threw admiring glances his way.

Luther touched Onyx’s arm. Onyx looked at Luther’s hand on his arm. Then into Luther’s green eyes. Onyx looked away, his gaze dropping to the green dragon pin Luther wore. Green, the colour of Luther’s dragon.

At the time, he’d felt so special being allowed to ride Luther. Had it really meant nothing?

“I’m not fucking him,” Luther said softly.

“What?” Onyx’s body tensed. “I know you’re lovers.”

“No. We’re not.” Luther stepped in close, hand squeezing Onyx’s arm. “I implied it. I’m sorry for that.” He gave a rueful smile. “I wanted you to believe we were.” He shook his head. “But I just said those things to make you jealous.”

“What?” A noise of disbelief escaped Onyx’s throat. “Why would you do that?”

Luther stared at the middle of Onyx’s chest. “It seemed a good idea at the time.” Luther sighed. “You were annoying me. So I wanted to annoy you in return. And you were always so tightly in control of yourself. I wanted to make you lose that control.

“Also, I thought you were sexy when you were jealous.” Luther paused. “And making you jealous seemed to make you want to fuck me. So …” His finger rubbed at the fabric of Onyx’s sleeve. “I’m sorry, Onyx.”

Confused but also relieved, Onyx stared at Luther. Prince Elias and Luther weren’t lovers. All that time, Luther had just been pretending, trying to bait him.

“And I haven’t slept with anyone else,” Luther confessed. “Although I used to fuck around a bit, in recent years, that has lost most of its appeal.” He stared into Onyx’s eyes. “I haven’t bedded anyone except you since I arrived at the monastery.”

“But … all this time, I … You made me believe that—” Onyx trailed off.

“I know,” Luther said. “I’m sorry.”

Mind reeling, Onyx gazed around the ballroom. He spotted Lord Barrett Morton and his spouse, Prince Ash Rosewood. “What about Lord Barrett Morton?” Onyx snapped. “You two are close. And I know you fought together in the war. Same battalion, right?”

Luther snorted. “You mean my half-brother? No, I haven’t fucked him. Even I have my limits. Incest is one of those.”

“What? No.” Onyx shook his head. “He’s not your half-brother. Your half-siblings are all in Draconia.”

“I think I know who my half-siblings are better than you, Onyx,” Luther said dryly. “And those in Draconia are my legitimate half-siblings. Barrett is an illegitimate one. One of my father’s bastards.”

“Your father’s bastards?” Onyx’s eyes widened. “One of? Does that mean there are more?”

“Yes.” Luther took a sip of his wine, seeming rather blasé about it all. “I’ve got a bunch of illegitimate half-siblings just scattered around. Father’s always been good at sowing his oats very widely. Thankfully, there is a registry so you can check who you’re related to. It’s very helpful to ensure you don’t fuck a half-sibling.”

“What? That’s horrible!” No earth elemental of the Kingdom of the Grey Mountains would ever behave in such a disgusting manner. Or at least not openly. It would be hidden and a source of extreme shame for everyone involved. “Why is there a registry?”

“It’s technically a registry to monitor those with dragon heritage. Dragon powers follow along dragon bloodlines. Dragons are rare enough that it is important to keep an eye on them to make use of them and their powers.” Luther took another sip of his wine.

“So all children with dragon blood, born in or out of wedlock, must be registered and monitored in case they inherit the power to shift,” Luther said. “Barrett Morton is one of my father’s illegitimate sons. He inherited the power and was placed in a dragon battalion to make use of said power.”

Onyx stared at Luther, mouth open. Did those from Draconia not value fidelity at all within marriage?

“This horrifies you, doesn’t it?” Luther laughed. “I’m sorry. It must be quite a shock.”

Onyx spluttered. “Marriage is sacred. It is to be entered into with noble and honourable intentions. And…” Onyx shook his head. “Doesn’t it bother you that your father behaves in such a way? What about honour? What about fidelity? What about duty?”

“My father believes it is his duty to ensure his bloodline lives on.” Luther shrugged. “So he doesn’t put much value on fidelity.”

The muscles in Onyx’s face twitched as he tried to comprehend Luther’s words. “Did your mother mind? What about your stepmother?”

“Honestly, I have no idea if my stepmother has ever been bothered by it.” Luther turned and looked around the ballroom. His gaze stopped on his stepmother, talking with Empress Emmaline from Zephyrias by the glass doors.

“She’s never said a bad word about my father. Not that I’ve heard,” Luther said. “And she’s never acted hurt or wounded if my father showed attention to a young woman of a breedable age in front of her.”

“Breedable,” Onyx repeated, the word tasting sour in his mouth.

Luther made a face. “I think she might see it as her duty to tolerate it, since my father considers it his obligation to produce as many offspring as possible. To be honest, I’ve always felt a bit sorry for how my father treats her. She’s so devoted to being the best wife possible, and he doesn’t pay much attention to her.”

Luther paused. “And I never really knew my mother. She died when I was young. So I don’t know if it bothered her.”

“Right. Of course.” Onyx frowned. “Sorry.”

“Perhaps it doesn’t appear so shocking to me because I grew up with it. It all just seemed normal. And no one seemed scandalised by it.” Luther gave him a half-smile. “I grew up knowing I had illegitimate half-siblings all over the place. I met them from time to time. Of all of them, Lord Barrett Morton is probably the one I’m closest to.”

Luther lifted his wine glass in Lord Barrett Morton’s direction. Prince Ash tugged his husband towards the crowded dancefloor. Lord Morton followed his husband with a gentle smile.

“He’s a good fighter. A decent fellow. We served well together in the same battalion,” Luther said. “We shared a few laughs and drank a lot of wine during the war. We even danced in some taverns. But we didn’t fuck. Like I said, I’m not interested in incest.” He laughed.

“Oh.” All other words and thoughts seemed to have deserted Onyx.

Luther studied him. “I suppose to an honourable earth elemental from the Grey Mountains who values fidelity, our family must seem rather … repulsive.”

“It’s different,” Onyx admitted, not sure what to make of all he’d learnt.

He wondered if it was the king of Draconia who’d suggested that they pledge to be true to each other in the marriage contract, knowing it meant his children could sow their oats and spread the dragon bloodline outside the marriage.

But where did that leave Onyx and Luther?

Onyx would not take another to bed. It did not matter to him how the marriage contract he’d signed could be interpreted.

But what were Luther’s intentions? Did he believe it was his duty to … breed and create more dragons?

It all seemed so very wrong. They had much to discuss. They’d come from two very different worlds and sets of expectations. But Onyx didn’t want to go into that tonight.

For now, Luther had no lover but Onyx. Onyx was more than grateful for that.

Onyx met Luther’s gaze. “You’ve really not fucked anyone here?”

Luther smiled. He reached out and ran a finger along Onyx’s collar. “Not that I remember.”

Onyx huffed a laugh. “And all this time, you’ve been intentionally misleading me, trying to make me jealous.”

Luther’s green eyes sparkled.

Onyx stepped in close, staring down at Luther. He captured Luther’s hand in his and squeezed. Hard.

“That’s very wicked of you, Prince Luther,” Onyx growled.

Luther’s breath hitched.

Onyx lifted his other hand, sliding it possessively around the back of Luther’s neck. “I think maybe you should be punished for such disrespectful behaviour.” He tightened his grip.

Luther whimpered.

Onyx smiled. “Do you think you deserve to be punished, princeling?”

Luther trembled.

“I asked you a question, and I expect an answer,” Onyx said. “Do you think you deserve to be punished?”

Luther’s mouth fell open. He nodded. “Yes,” he whispered.

Onyx smirked.