Page 50 of Courting the Dragon Prince (A Royal Arrangement #1)
Chapter Fifty
“I have to say I am a little disappointed,” Luther said.
They walked along the stone path through the mountains towards Limestone Castle.
Even though Limestone Castle was expecting the arrival of a dragon, Luther and Onyx had decided it was best to land in the mountains a short distance from the city walls, at least on Luther’s first visit.
From this distance, Luther could see Grey Mountains soldiers, armed and ready to fight, standing atop the fortifications. Thankfully, no one had shot an arrow or hurled stones at Luther. At least not yet, anyway.
Thick walls with battlements and towers built from a light-coloured limestone surrounded the city. The stones had aged and weathered with time. A water-filled moat surrounded the walls.
Onyx glanced at Luther, a slight frown marring his handsome face. “I know it does not quite match the grandeur of the Castle of the Dragons.”
“That’s not what I mean at all.” Luther slid his arm through Onyx’s, tugging him close.
Today Luther wore proper clothes rather than a robe and slippers. He’d had them in his pack, which Onyx had carried whilst riding on his back.
Luther didn’t say it aloud, but he wanted to make a good impression at Limestone Castle. After all, this would be his home. He didn’t think slippers and a robe would cut it.
I’m going to be the royal consort of this place one day.
His hand on Onyx’s arm tightened.
“Then what did you mean?” Onyx asked.
Luther tore his gaze from the fortifications and looked into Onyx’s still-frowning expression. Luther wanted to wipe that frown completely away. “Well, from the way you were going on and on about the pompousness of the Castle of the Dragons, I assumed Limestone Castle would just be a few uneven rocks stacked on top of each other in a circle.”
Onyx stared at him for a heartbeat. Then he laughed, the frown disappearing in an instant.
That’s better.
“Honestly, I assumed the castle would be leaking and rat-infested and stink of mould.” Luther wrinkled his nose. “Although, I suppose that still could be true. We haven’t actually entered the castle yet.”
“I did not make it sound that bad!” Onyx said.
Luther smiled. “Will I be expected to hunt, kill, skin, and cook my own food? It’s not a problem if I must. I’m very good at hunting, especially in my dragon form. In fact, I can skip the skinning and just eat it whole and charred.”
“You’re ridiculous.” Onyx chuckled, shaking his head.
Luther’s chest glowed with warmth. Whilst he’d previously enjoyed making Onyx glare and glower, he much preferred to make Onyx laugh and smile. Although, honestly, Onyx was very handsome either way.
“I think your castle is quite lovely-looking actually,” Luther said. “You greatly undersold it.”
Onyx stared into Luther’s eyes. “So you don’t think you’ll mind living here too much?”
Luther pursed his lips. “Well, I’ll need to see the inside first before I make any promises. I need to ensure that it isn’t leaking, rat-infested, and stinking of mould.” He smiled. “And I’ll need to find a spot to hide my precious hoard. But I think I could imagine being happy here.”
The words if I’m by your side tingled on the tip of Luther’s tongue. Because he wanted to be by Onyx’s side, as his consort, his partner, and his lover.
But his feelings had developed so quickly for Onyx. He didn’t quite know if they could be trusted. Or if they would last. Honestly, Luther had never felt this strongly for someone before.
It scared him.
He kept worrying that he would let Onyx down, like he’d let down so many. He worried Onyx would grow bored of Luther’s frivolity and lack of duty. After all, that was why Onyx had hated Luther originally.
At the moment, Onyx seemed to like him and enjoy being with him. But Luther was still the same person he’d been when they met. Maybe right now, Onyx was just cockblind. So befuddled by lust and desire for Luther that he’d forgotten all Luther’s many, many flaws.
What would happen when the heat in the bedroom cooled and Onyx stopped finding Luther so attractive and amusing?
A sense of dread settled in Luther’s bones as they grew closer to the city walls.
A trumpet blew. The drawbridge lowered, and a retinue on horseback rode out, flying the Grey Mountains flag, a white outline of mountains on a dark-grey background.
Luther pushed away his gloomy thoughts and smiled at Onyx. “Oh, look. Your people have been eagerly awaiting your return.” Luther gave an exaggerated frown. “But I’m confused. Weren’t you the one going on and on about how odd it was that my servants were prepared for our arrival?”
“That’s different, and you know it,” Onyx said. “I wrote ahead and told them we’d be coming. That’s why they are prepared. Your servants just wait around in case you turn up. Also, it is the middle of the day.” He gestured to the blue skies above.
“I don’t think it’s that different,” Luther said, voice light.
Onyx gave him a hard look. Luther laughed.
Fuck, I adore this big block of an earth elemental.
“Your Highnesses,” a woman on horseback called out as the retinue came to a stop before them.
The retinue bowed to Onyx and Luther.
“Warden Onyx, we are pleased at your safe return,” the woman said. “Prince Luther, we welcome you to Limestone Castle and hope that you will be comfortable here. I am Lady Opal Larimar. I have been entrusted with the care of the castle whilst the royal family are away at the White Monastery.”
“Thank you, Lady Larimar,” Onyx said in greeting.
“Yes. Thank you.” Luther inclined his head.
Lady Larimar dressed in a coral-coloured wool dress, more practical and simpler than the dresses noblewomen wore in Draconia. Her grey hair had been pulled back into a tight bun.
The retinue that followed her was comprised of what appeared to be several nobles and quite a few armed guards. Were the guards here for Luther?
His back straightened as he looked over them. But did they really think that a handful of guards could stop Luther if he wanted to attack? Then again, some of these might be trained earth elementals. Luther didn’t really know how to tell.
Lady Larimar gestured to two horses, saddled and ready to ride. Bells, along with orange-and-gold ribbons, had been attached to the saddles and woven into the manes and tails of the horses. “We thought you might wish to ride through the city. After all, it is the first time you will be seen in the Grey Mountains since you’ve been married.”
“That is true.” Onyx glanced at Luther. “I suppose the people must be curious.”
Lady Larimar smiled. “They are excited to see the future grand warden and consort. The city has been practically bursting with anticipation since we received your letter and announced your imminent arrival to the people.”
“They do not hold any animosity to me being a dragon from Draconia?” Luther had intentionally not flown about the castle and city, not wanting to cause the inhabitants unease.
After all, if a dragon had flown overhead not that long ago, it would have meant death, destruction, and dragonfire.
The lady’s smile softened. “Perhaps if you’d arrived a couple of months ago. But the citizens have been coming around, especially since your marriage was announced. In fact, we had a citywide holiday on the day of your wedding. There was much celebration through the streets. Now your presence means peace and the end to war. They are excited and glad for that.”
“There are no opposing voices amongst the populace?” Onyx asked.
“A few. But not many. The general tone of the people is one of optimism and hope,” she said.
“I am glad to hear that,” Onyx said.
He and Luther mounted their horses and rode towards the city. The herald rode ahead of them, blowing her trumpet to announce their coming. Guards circled Onyx and Luther. It was then that Luther realised the guards were not here to protect against Luther but instead to protect Luther. Behind them came the rest of the retinue.
They rode across the drawbridge. Even before they entered the city, Luther could hear the cheering and roars of the crowd. Luther’s mouth dropped open, eyes widening as they passed through the thick walls and entered the city.
Everywhere he looked, people lined the streets, hung out of windows, and stood on rooftops. They leaned and stretched as they tried to get a look at the royal couple.
“Warden Onyx! Prince Luther!” the people shouted and cheered. They whistled, rang bells, and threw rice.
Luther blinked and glanced at Onyx. Onyx smiled back at him as they rode on.
Lady Larimar appeared to be correct. At least on the surface, these people seemed to hold no animosity towards him.
Onyx leaned towards Luther, taking his hand. “They’ve never done this just for me before. I think they are truly pleased with our marriage.” Onyx lifted his free hand in a wave.
Luther did the same.
A child with dark hair sat on the shoulders of a tall man. She waved wildly, smiling a toothy grin. Luther smiled and waved back. In her excitement, the child waved even more furiously, almost falling from the man’s shoulders. Luther had to hold back a laugh.
Luther realised that for the entirety of this child’s life, her world had been wrenched apart by war. Thankfully, the war had ended and this child’s future was brighter because of it.
Luther’s throat tightened as a sudden wave of emotion slammed into him. Luther might not be from the Grey Mountains, but he’d married their future ruler. Now these people looked to him, an outsider and previous enemy, and Onyx as a symbol of a peaceful and better future.
Luther wanted to be more than just that symbol. He wanted to be a part of making that happen.
Luther had made many mistakes in his life. He’d hurt people, let them down, and fucked up completely. But maybe here Luther had another chance, a chance to do some good and atone for his past.
Perhaps this would be a fresh start. Here he could strive to not be an irresponsible, selfish prince who messed up things. Instead, he could be someone who made things better.
As they rode through the streets, Luther felt a sense of hope.
He tightened his hand on Onyx’s. Maybe by Onyx’s side, Luther could become the person he’d always wanted to be.