Page 64 of Courting the Dragon Prince (A Royal Arrangement #1)

Chapter Sixty-Four

A breeze swept across Onyx’s cheek. He opened his eyes, blinking at the curtain that danced before the open window.

Luther lay beside him, his arm slung across Onyx’s hip. Luther’s mouth hung open in sleep. A lock of hair rested against his skin.

Onyx smiled as he lifted his hand and brushed the hair back, tucking it behind Luther’s ear.

We’re alive. We’re safe. We won.

They’d flown back to Limestone Castle after the battle, arriving just before dawn. Lady Larimar had descended on them, horror and shock registering on her face as they explained what happened.

“Get the high healer. And bring food and drink,” she’d ordered the servants.

For the next couple of hours, Onyx and Luther had been cared for under the stern gaze of Lady Larimar. She’d watched them like a hawk, ensuring they ate and drank and that the high healer assessed and treated all their wounds.

The high healer of Limestone Castle was a woman in her mid-forties. Onyx had always known her to be extremely competent in her healing powers. But she’d never treated a dragon before.

After all, the vast majority of her years practising healing had taken place during the war with the dragons. She’d not had the opportunity. But apparently, she’d learnt about dragons at the Dove Healing Academy, where she’d studied healing magic.

When she’d spoken to Luther, even before examining him, she’d stated, “Dragons aren’t supposed to shift with broken bones.”

“No,” Luther had replied. “But I didn’t have much choice at the time.”

She’d closed her eyes, fingers hovering over Luther’s leg. But she would not attempt to heal the bone.

The high healer shook her head. “The bone feels wrong. I’m worried using the healing magic I’m familiar with will just do more damage. Best to see a healer more familiar with dragons.” At least she’d bound the leg, given Luther herbs for the pain, and then proceeded to heal Luther’s many other wounds and scrapes.

Once Lady Larimar had decided they had been adequately tended to, she’d sent them to Onyx’s room to rest.

Onyx had protested, “We should go straight to the White Monastery and report.”

“No!” She’d given a firm shake of her head. “Rest first. Then travel.” She’d looked at the two of them. “You two don’t look like you’ll make it there.”

Onyx had glanced at Luther. Dark bags had hung beneath his eyes. Even though he’d sat, he practically swayed. And, of course, Luther’s leg was still broken. So Onyx had relented, and they’d retired to his room.

Now he stroked his fingers through Luther’s hair, glad they’d taken the time to rest. Especially because now that the adrenaline had left his body, he realised the threat had been neutralised.

His uncle was dead. He no longer posed a threat to Onyx, Luther, Onyx’s mother, or the peace treaty. They could rest a little. He kissed Luther’s cheek.

Luther’s eyelids fluttered open. He smiled, reached up, and caught Onyx’s hand. He brought it to his lips and kissed the fingertips.

“Morning,” Luther whispered.

Onyx shook his head. “It’s night.”

“Really?” Luther turned to glance at the window and the starry sky beyond. “We slept through the day. We must have really needed the sleep. And I guess we did go to bed around midday.” He yawned. “Do we need to get up and go to the monastery?”

Onyx shook his head again. “Everyone will be asleep by the time we get there. We’ll leave early in the morning.”

Luther flopped, sinking back into the bedding. “Good. I’m still exhausted.” He snuggled closer to Onyx. “I want to sleep more.”

Onyx wrapped his arms around Luther. “How’s your leg?”

Luther scrunched his nose. “Fucked. I’ll take more of those herbs for the pain soon.”

“Do you think there will be a healer who can tend to you at the monastery?” Onyx asked.

Luther nodded. “Of course. My father’s personal healer is the best in Draconia, and he always travels with my father.”

“That’s good.” Onyx frowned. “But I was thinking you’ll have to shift again with your broken bone to fly us back. Will that be all right?”

Luther shrugged. “I don’t think I can do more damage than I’ve already done to it. And it will take too long to go by land and boat to get to the monastery. I think it’s just best I shift and see my father’s healer as soon as we arrive.”

“All right. If you’re sure.” Onyx stroked a hand down Luther’s bare back.

Luther closed his eyes and nuzzled closer.

Onyx watched the curtain moving in the gentle breeze as the events of the previous day played through his mind. He sighed.

Luther opened his eyes. “Are you all right? Sorry. Stupid question. Your uncle betrayed you and tried to kill you. Of course you aren’t all right.”

“It’s a lot. And honestly, I’m just not sure how to move forward now as heir of the Grey Mountains,” Onyx said. “My uncle was my adviser. He took over so much after my mother became addicted to lysithea tea. He practically ran the kingdom.” Onyx paused.

“I mean, he was plotting to kill me, you, and my mother, take the throne for himself, and lead the Grey Mountains back into war. But he knew what was going on in the kingdom, at least. I have no clue. I’m a warrior. Not a ruler. I mean, my mother won’t be any help. And my cousin …” Onyx trailed off. “I don’t know how Jade will react when she finds out what her father has done.”

Onyx stared at the stars twinkling outside the window as the fear dug its nails deep into his chest. “How am I meant to move forward on my own?”

Luther pulled back, gazing into Onyx’s eyes. “You aren’t alone. You have me.”

Onyx smiled. “I do?”

“Of course. Not to say I’ll be much help,” Luther said. “I know fuck all about ruling. But we can learn together. Everything is a mess, but we’ll stumble forward together.” He pressed a kiss to Onyx’s nose. “And we can find advisers to help. Advisers and diplomats always seem to be hanging around everywhere. I’m sure there are lots in the Grey Mountains who could assist. And I also have my siblings. I can ask them. They know stuff, and I trust them.”

Onyx felt some of the fear in his chest release.

“And you aren’t as incompetent as you think.” Luther pressed a finger to the middle of Onyx’s chest. “You are brave and strong and honourable. And you understand why we need peace. You wanted to end the war. I think that makes you a far better ruler than many, including your uncle.”

“Thank you,” Onyx said. “You don’t know what your words mean to me. And I think you underestimate yourself. I know I feel a lot better knowing I have you by my side. I think you’ll make a wonderful consort.”

“Really?” Luther smiled.

“I do.” And for the first time since becoming heir, Onyx thought that maybe he could do this. That maybe with Luther, one day, he could learn to be a decent ruler.

“I am sorry for the things I said yesterday,” Onyx said. Was it really just yesterday? “Especially for saying your people deserved to die. That was beyond cruel.”

Luther pressed his face against Onyx’s throat. “I’m sorry for hitting you.”

“I’m pretty sure we hit each other.” Onyx smoothed his hand over Luther’s hair.

“Yeah. But I definitely got you much worse,” Luther said.

Onyx could hear the smile in Luther’s voice. “What? Fuck you, you arrogant little shit!”

Luther’s laughter brushed against Onyx’s throat. Onyx chuckled.

They lay together silently for several minutes. The song of a nightingale drifted through the window.

“It’s been better with you,” Luther said softly.

“What has?”

“The sleeping. The memories. All the pain from the past,” Luther said. “It hasn’t gone away. You know that. But it’s been less intense recently.”

Onyx squeezed him. “I’m glad.”

“And I want to keep getting better. I don’t want to keep tormenting myself or blaming myself. I don’t—” Luther took a deep breath. “I’ll never be able to forget them and what happened. But I don’t want it to consume me. I want to be able to move on. To move forward.”

“I want that for you as well.” Onyx cupped Luther’s cheek, tilting his head up. He gazed into Luther’s green eyes. “And I’ll be here with you as you do. I’ll be by your side through it all. I promise.” Then he sealed his promise with a kiss.

A knock sounded on the door.

Reluctantly, Onyx pulled back.

Luther frowned. “Lady Larimar said we wouldn’t be disturbed. And she’s a scary woman to disobey.”

The knock sounded again, more urgently this time.

“Your Highnesses.” Lady Larimar’s voice sounded through the closed door. “I’m sorry to disturb you. But this couldn’t wait.”

Onyx jumped from the bed and raced to the door, pausing just long enough to tug on a robe. He yanked the door open. “What is it, Lady Larimar?”

“I’m so sorry to disturb you, Your Highness.” Lady Larimar held several pages of what appeared to be letters in her hand. “But I thought you’d want to know this straight away. I searched your uncle’s rooms after you retired to see if I could find anything that might be informative.”

“What did you find?” Onyx knew it couldn’t be anything good.

“Letters to someone. But it is unclear who.” She glanced between Onyx and Luther, who sat up in the bed. “But it is very clear that your uncle was working and plotting with another to destroy the treaty.”