Page 7 of Courting the Dragon Prince (A Royal Arrangement #1)

Chapter Seven

O nyx stared at his betrothed.

Prince Luther threw back his head and laughed at something his sister, Princess Senta Drachen, said. He stood with three of his older siblings in the ballroom.

Prince Luther dressed in flowing robes of sheer black over dark-green velvet. He wore the gold-and-emerald dragon brooch pinned to the front. His robes hung open, revealing his smooth, muscular brown chest. Elaborate gold and diamonds draped from his throat.

A golden belt cinched his waist. More gold circled his wrists, filigree bracers more decorative than protective, inlaid with emeralds and diamonds. Finally, a golden crown, fashioned to look like dragon horns, sat on top of Prince Luther’s wavy brown hair. Kohl underlined his eyes, and green eyeshadow shimmered above.

Prince Luther was beyond stunning. Everyone in the room seemed to be staring at the dragon prince, unable to look away from the exquisite vision.

And unfortunately, Onyx was amongst them.

Prince Luther had looked so haggard at the meeting, which was the last time Onyx had seen him. He’d been slumped in his chair, hair a mess and eyes red-rimmed.

Onyx assumed he’d spent the night drinking. And probably fucking.

Onyx tensed at the thought. It shouldn’t bother him. They didn’t have soft and tender feelings for each other. They weren’t even married yet. But Onyx doubted Prince Luther would stop bedding others even once they were married. He’d no doubt disrespect Onyx constantly with his wandering dick.

Onyx’s gaze moved over those gathered in the ballroom, taking in the chandeliers of gold and crystal. They hung from a ceiling painted to depict forests in the different seasons as one moved one’s gaze in a circular motion.

Everyone seemed to be in attendance tonight. Monks, royals, nobles, and dignitaries mingled, drank, and ate. Onyx wondered if Prince Luther had spent the night with one of these individuals.

Onyx didn’t expect Prince Luther to be in his bed. But still, to fuck around whilst in the middle of their courtship period was in extremely poor taste. This courtship period was meant to be a time when they got to know each other. Not fuck other people.

Not to mention that Luther not behaving properly threatened the treaty. But since the dragon prince didn’t care about that, Onyx shouldn’t be surprised.

Clearly, Prince Luther cared about nothing and no one but himself. Even tonight, as breathtaking as he appeared, he looked very much like a greedy, self-centred dragon prince, dripping with gold and jewels.

“Warden Onyx,” a voice said behind him.

Onyx turned. “Grand monk, how can I help you?”

“Is your mother here yet? As you are aware, you and Prince Luther should have opened your betrothal ball with a dance, but …” The grand monk’s bushy brows furrowed as he trailed off.

“Yes. Something must have come up. My cousin has gone to check on her.” Onyx paused. “But she will be here soon. I’m sure.”

“Yes. Of course.” The grand monk smiled. “Inform me as soon as she arrives.” Then the grand monk walked towards King Alaric and Queen Consort Adelina.

Would the king think his mother didn’t support the treaty if she didn’t appear soon?

Onyx closed his eyes. Mighty mountain spirit, please let her arrive soon.

Earlier today, he had spoken to his mother. Several times. He’d told her the importance of being here tonight, how important it was for the future of their kingdom. He’d also told her how important it was for him to have his mother be there for his betrothal ball.

His mother didn’t even need to speak tonight. She just had to appear and stand there whilst Grand Monk Ferdinand and King Alaric said a few words. Then Onyx and Prince Luther could dance and his mother could return to her room.

Still, she was not here.

He’d instructed the servants not to provide her with any more lysithea tea until after the ball.

Onyx had really tried to explain to his mother why she had to be here tonight. She’d seemed to understand.

And she’d promised Onyx she’d be here.

Onyx forced his breath to remain even.

She’ll be here. She promised. She’ll turn up any moment. Then Prince Luther and I will dance. Everyone will see that we all want the treaty. The marriage will go forward. The treaty will be signed. The war will end. Peace will reign. Everyone will be happy.

Everyone except for Onyx and Prince Luther, of course. Since neither wanted to marry the other. But that was the sacrifice they had to pay to end the war.

Onyx kept glancing towards the main entrance to the ballroom. Perhaps he should go and check on his mother himself. But what if she was already on her way? What if they passed each other accidentally?

He’d wait. Surely she’d come. She’d promised.

Onyx rubbed his hand over his face.

How had it come to this? His mother had ruled their kingdom competently for over thirty years. Now it was like none of that mattered. Nothing mattered to her but her grief for her lost daughter.

Not even Onyx mattered to his mother anymore.

Prince Luther’s laughter broke Onyx from his gloomy thoughts. Onyx’s hands curled into fists as the resentment choked him.

And there was his betrothed, looking radiant and like nothing ever bothered him at all. He had not a care in the whole bloody world.

Gritting his teeth, Onyx strode towards Prince Luther and his siblings.

“We all must do as Father commands.” Prince Luther’s back was to Onyx. “It’s just unfortunate I have to marry someone with the personality of mud and the appearance to match. Of cou?—”

“Good evening, Warden Onyx,” the dragon heir, Prince Konrad, cut his younger brother off. “How are you tonight?”

“I am well. Thank you, Prince Konrad.” Onyx inclined his head.

From the corner of his eye, he saw Prince Luther turn towards him. He didn’t even have the decency to look embarrassed. He stared at Onyx with a bored expression.

“That is good.” Princess Senta Drachen smiled at him. “And we are all very well tonight too. Aren’t we, brother?” She nudged Prince Luther.

Prince Luther shrugged, all mirth and laughter gone from his face. He lifted his goblet to his lips and took a sip, avoiding looking at Onyx.

What an arrogant little shit!

“My father was looking for your mother earlier. Has she arrived?” Prince Konrad asked.

“She was held up. But she will be here shortly.” Onyx glanced towards the ballroom entrance once again.

“Barrett! Prince Ash,” Prince Luther called out, the excitement returning to his voice.

Two individuals came towards them. Whilst Onyx knew Prince Ash Rosewood, a nature mage of Botanial, he hadn’t actually met Lord Barrett Morton, Prince Ash’s husband. But he knew who he was. After all, the marriage between these two had been the first of the eight marriages to seal the peace treaty. And Lord Morton had almost been killed during his wedding. Thankfully, they both looked well now.

By the way Prince Luther clapped Lord Morton on the arm, the two must be very familiar. Onyx’s gaze fixed on Prince Luther’s hand that lingered on Lord Morton’s arm.

Were the two fucking?

But no. Surely not. Lord Morton had just married. And the two newlyweds looked happy together.

Prince Luther didn’t bother to introduce Lord Morton to Onyx. And Prince Luther turned his back on Onyx, making it practically impossible for him to join the conversation.

Onyx bristled. Although, he should probably expect nothing more from the bratty prince.

“And don’t you look radiant tonight, Prince Rosewood,” Prince Luther said. “You’re such a lucky man, Barrett. I wished I’d won the competition and won the fair prince’s hand in marriage.”

Prince Rosewood blushed, and Lord Morton chuckled, neither appearing particularly offended by Prince Luther’s comment.

But Onyx clenched his jaw.

“Lord Morton and my brother served together in the same battalion during the war,” Prince Konrad explained to Onyx, clearly trying to smooth over his brother’s intentionally rude behaviour. “And my brother was also a leader of one of the divisions in the battalion for a while. Although, Lord Morton was not in that division.”

Why couldn’t Onyx have been married to Prince Konrad? Because although Prince Konrad might be a dragon and a descendant of the vile Queen Hildegard, he knew how to behave properly. Onyx respected that.

Of course, they could never have married, as both were heirs to their thrones and would need to remain in their respective kingdoms.

Onyx’s gaze travelled to Prince Gerard, the quiet and brooding dragon warrior prince. He wore a black eye patch. Lightning scars covered half his face, running down his neck and beneath his high collar. They were the result of an attack from lightning sorcerers during the war, which had almost killed Prince Gerard.

Whilst Onyx had not spoken to the reserved dragon warrior, he’d still be preferable to Prince Luther, especially because Prince Gerard seemed similar in temperament to Onyx. Although, honestly, marrying the princess was preferable to marrying Prince Luther, and that was saying a great deal, since Onyx’s tastes did not run towards women.

Onyx spotted Jade coming down the steps into the ballroom. His stomach sank. His mother was not with her.

“Excuse me,” Onyx said. “I must speak to my cousin.” Onyx moved through the crowds. He spotted his uncle also approaching Jade.

“Where is she?” Onyx asked.

Jade glanced between them. “Asleep. I tried to wake her. Your mother opened her eyes. But she waved me away. The servant said she didn’t give her any more lysithea tea, but still …” She lifted her hands helplessly. “I’m so sorry, Onyx.”

Onyx closed his eyes. He was marrying a man he hated, and his mother couldn’t even bother to turn up for fifteen bloody minutes to support and stand by him.

She acted like she was the only one grieving. She acted like she didn’t have a son who was still alive and needed her.

But Onyx would do what was needed for their kingdom. He could pull himself together even if his mother couldn’t.

“What do we do now?” Onyx asked.

“We go ahead. We do our duty.” His uncle squared his shoulders. “For the glory of the Grey Mountains.”

“But what if they interpret Mother not coming as her not supporting the treaty?” Onyx asked. “What if this undermines everything we have worked towards?”

“Calm yourself.” His uncle gripped his shoulder. “All will be well, Onyx.”

Onyx felt a wave of gratefulness. At least he had his uncle.

“I’ll speak to the dragon king and explain. He is already aware of your mother’s compromised state. He understands that she is no longer truly capable of running the kingdom. I do not believe he will hold this against us.”

Onyx dropped his gaze. “I hope so.”

“You will dance with Prince Luther tonight. The wedding will go ahead.” Warden Flint released his grip on Onyx’s shoulders. “Now go to your betrothed. Your dance will be announced soon.”