Page 66 of Courting the Dragon Prince (A Royal Arrangement #1)
Chapter Sixty-Six
“I ’m telling you it’s the necromancers,” Konrad said the moment Luther and Onyx had finished recounting to everyone in the sitting room what had occurred. “That’s who Warden Flint was plotting with. It has to be.”
Luther would bet this is what Konrad and the king had been whispering heatedly about earlier.
“That’s enough, Konrad!” King Alaric said, voice firm. Everyone else sat around the tea table except for King Alaric, who stood by the window. “You’re letting your imagination run away with itself. Again.”
“I just don’t understand how you can’t?—”
“I said that is enough, Konrad!” King Alaric snapped. “You have spouted your baseless accusations against the necromancers from the start. I suggest you keep your mind and eyes open.”
Konrad closed his mouth as he glared at his father. After a moment, he dropped his gaze to the wine goblet in his hands.
Silence filled the room.
Queen Consort Adelina cleared her throat. “Well, at least we’ll have Senta’s marriage to Juniper from Botanial soon. That will be nice after this terrible incident.”
“What?” Luther sat bolt upright. “When did this happen?”
Senta smiled. “The betrothal was announced not long after you left.”
“Oh. What’s she like?” Luther asked.
Senta laughed. “She seems kind, practical, and level-headed.”
Luther nodded, feeling a little dazed that he hadn’t known. At least Senta didn’t sound like she hated Juniper on sight. That was a better start than he and Onyx had had.
“But I’m not the only one engaged.” Senta gestured to Gerard.
“You too?” Luther whipped around to stare at Gerard. “Who are you marrying?”
“Prince Elias Storm,” Gerard said, voice flat. He took a sip of wine, his expression not revealing anything. “It was decided two days ago.”
“The lightning prince. Really?” Luther thought of all the problems the prince had caused between him and Onyx. Of course, that hadn’t been Prince Elias’s fault. That had been Luther’s.
Luther tried to picture his severe, battle-scarred brother, the renowned dragon warrior, with the magnetic, stunning prince.
“You two are very different.” Which Luther knew was to be expected. After all, it was an arranged marriage, and Gerard had not selected his future spouse. Still, Luther couldn’t picture the two of them together.
“Yes. We are complete opposites. He is a very charming and a very beautiful man.” Gerard adjusted his eye patch, his fingers almost brushing the scars on his cheek. “I am not.”
“That’s not what I meant,” Luther rushed out. “I mean, he is charming and …” Flirtatious would probably be the incorrect thing to say.
After all, he didn’t want Gerard jealous and worrying about the same things Onyx had. Perhaps Luther should make a point of clarifying with Gerard later that Luther had not slept with Prince Elias. Just in case Gerard had heard the rumours.
“He seems really nice. I’ve only spoken to him a few times,” Luther said. “He doesn’t appear judgemental or cruel.”
Gerard’s lips tightened, the scars on his cheek pulling. “I am glad my future husband will not be judgemental or cruel towards me.”
Senta shot Luther a glare.
“I didn’t mean it like that.” Although, Luther kind of had.
Before the war, his brother had been known as a very handsome man. Reserved, quiet, brooding, and very attractive.
But since the lightning attack that destroyed one eye, scarred his skin, and almost taken his life, the comments had changed. Now the chatter focused more on what a shame it was that the dragon warrior’s face had been so horribly ruined.
Luther knew his brother had heard the comments. Luther knew they had wounded Gerard, although his brother never said anything. And since fighting in the war, Gerard had become withdrawn and reserved, even more so than before.
Anytime Luther heard any cruel comments, he’d tear the individual apart. One time, he’d even reduced a man and woman to tears. Served them right for speaking of their dragon warrior like that. After all, he’d obtained those scars fighting for Draconia!
Luther hoped Prince Elias would not be the type to make those sorts of comments. He hoped Prince Elias appreciated Gerard.
“What I meant to say was …” Why couldn’t Luther think of the right response? He blamed the exhaustion of the past few days. He glanced at Onyx, looking for some assistance.
Onyx’s eyes widened slightly. “I … ah,” Onyx stuttered, “agree with Luther. You two do seem very different. But not necessarily in a bad way. For example, Prince Elias didn’t fight in the war and has very little understanding of battle.”
“Yes.” King Alaric sniffed as he stared out the window. “Despite coming from a bloodline of mighty sorcerers, all that boy can do is pathetic little sparkles.” His lip curled.
Luther thought that maybe it was for the best that Prince Elias had not fought in the war. At least Prince Elias and Gerard would never have crossed paths on the battlefield. They would not have to deal with the issues he and Onyx had.
“But despite his shortcomings, it is a good match.” The king took a step forward and put down his goblet on the table. “And I am pleased that both Gerard and Senta have embraced their duty to Draconia and accepted the marriages that have been arranged for them without complaint or fuss.”
King Alaric didn’t look at Luther or Konrad. But Luther knew that was a criticism of both of them. Konrad constantly fought with his father about marrying a necromancer. And Luther, although he had accepted his marriage to Onyx, had behaved rather poorly initially.
“Well, if Gerard doesn’t want to marry Prince Elias, I will,” Konrad offered.
The king rounded on him. “You are marrying someone from Necros. End of story!”
Konrad lowered his gaze. A muscle ticked in his jaw.
“Now I must write to Liesel and inform her of what has occurred here.” Then the king strode from the room.
The queen consort jumped to her feet. She gave a swift smile to everyone. “I have something I must ask the king.” Then she followed him out, leaving the siblings and Onyx together.
Luther looked at Senta and Gerard. “Well, congratulations, you two.” Luther fixed his gaze on Gerard. “And I’m sorry. It’s not a bad thing if you are opposites.” Luther placed his hand on Onyx’s and smiled at him. “I can attest that even if you are very different from your betrothed, you can find happiness together. Even love.”
Onyx smiled back. Luther squeezed Onyx’s hand.
Senta burst out laughing. “What fucking bullshit is this?”
Gerard raised an eyebrow. “Luther, weren’t you just complaining about your marriage not that long ago?”
“He definitely was,” Senta said, still laughing. “I believe you called him an arrogant arsehole.”
“I’m pretty sure the word prick was also tossed out.” Gerard lifted his goblet to his lips, a hint of amusement sparkling in his eyes.
Onyx chuckled. “If you think that is bad, you should have heard what he called me to my face. I believe ‘boulder-brained gravel licker’ was one of the many nicknames Luther so lovingly bestowed upon me early in our marriage.”
Senta threw back her head and roared with laughter. Gerard smiled.
“Fucking flames, Luther.” Konrad chuckled, seeming to have gotten over his most recent scolding. “You really know about the art of courting.”
“Hey!” Luther protested. “A lot can happen in a short time.”
“Obviously. You two do seem suddenly very fond of each other.” Senta smiled, glancing between them. “I didn’t expect it, but I’m pleased for you both. I hope Gerard and I find something similar in our own arranged marriages.”
“We should toast to that.” Luther raised his goblet. “To finding happiness and love in our arranged marriages.”
Senta, Gerard, and Onyx repeated his toast and lifted their goblets. Konrad sighed. He didn’t repeat the words, but he lifted his goblet and clinked with the others.
“Although, honestly, I’ll just settle for being friendly and respectful towards my spouse,” Senta said.
“Me too.” Gerard agreed. “I think I’ll be extremely lucky if I get anything more than that.”
Luther stared at his siblings. He hoped they found happiness in their marriages. After all, if he and Onyx could end up loving each other, then surely his siblings and their partners could too.
“Anyway, I’m glad you two are in love,” Konrad said. “And I’m glad you two survived Warden Flint’s plot.”
“We definitely need to toast to that!” Senta raised her goblet again. “To Onyx’s and Luther’s survival.”
They all raised their goblets and toasted once again.
“May Onyx and Luther have many joyous years together,” Gerard added softly.
Luther leaned against Onyx.
When Luther’s betrothal had been announced, he’d been miserable and angry. Luther had fought so hard against Onyx. But Luther now truly believed that his marriage to Onyx was the best thing to have ever happened to him.