Page 8 of Courting the Dragon Prince (A Royal Arrangement #1)

Chapter Eight

O nyx found his betrothed talking to the lightning prince, Elias Storm.

The lightning prince wasn’t an official title; it was just what everyone called the stunning prince of the Kingdom of Voltaria. Onyx hadn’t seen Prince Elias previously at the peace assembly. He must have arrived only recently. Which wasn’t unusual. Many attendants would not stay for the entire duration of the assembly. Instead they would come and go as their own needs and the needs of their kingdoms required.

Tonight, the lightning prince wore a tunic made of a sheer black fabric that showed off his slender torso. Intricate, vibrant blue floral patterns had been embroidered into the fabric. He wore a long coat over the tunic. A silver circlet sat on his long white hair.

The prince almost compared to Prince Luther in beauty.

Almost. But not quite.

From the way they laughed and smiled at each other, it was hard to imagine these two had been enemies not that long ago. They seemed more like close friends. Or lovers.

Are they lovers?

Not that Onyx cared. He didn’t want Prince Luther gazing at him with his vibrant green eyes. He didn’t want the dragon prince turning his blinding smile on him.

But Prince Luther was his intended. By flirting and carrying on in such a manner with another person, Prince Luther showed he wasn’t committed to their marriage or the treaty. And that jeopardised peace between the kingdoms.

That was the only reason Onyx gave a shit. Otherwise, he cared nothing for Prince Luther. Nor did he give a damn with whom he fucked or flirted.

I am definitely not jealous.

Onyx strode towards the two individuals.

The lightning prince turned towards him, violet eyes sparkling. “Warden Onyx. Good to see you again.”

“Prince Elias. Good to see you too.” Onyx inclined his head.

“I must congratulate you on your recent engagement.” Prince Elias smiled between them. “And I must apologise. I seem to have stolen your betrothed.”

“Feel free to steal me away from Warden Onyx anytime, Prince Elias,” Prince Luther laughed, placing a hand on Prince Elias’s shoulder and leaning towards him. “Please.”

Onyx straightened his spine, pulling himself to his full height. He fought the urge to sneer.

How dare Prince Luther so openly mock their union?

Prince Elias Storm joined in with Prince Luther’s laughter. But he glanced between them as if sensing the simmering tension.

“Do you really have to look so bored, Warden Onyx?” The dragon prince chuckled. “You look like you’ve swallowed a bucket of pebbles. It’s a ball.” He gestured to the room. “Our betrothal ball, in fact. We’re meant to be having fun.”

Onyx’s whole body vibrated with suppressed tension.

But before more could be said, a trumpet blew, and the three turned towards the centre of the ballroom. The herald lowered his trumpet.

“I present King Alaric and Queen Consort Adelina of Draconia and Warden Flint Obsidian of the Grey Mountains.” The herald bowed and stepped to the side of the marble dance floor.

The king, queen consort, and warden made their way to where the herald had stood a moment before. Everyone stood silently as they listened.

“Tonight, we are gathered to celebrate the upcoming nuptials between Warden Onyx Obsidian and my son, Prince Luther Drachen.” The dragon king’s voice echoed around the ballroom.

Onyx’s uncle then spoke, “We now present to you the couple who will soon marry. Their marriage will be the second to seal the peace treaty. They will be dancing the Starlight Reverie.”

Onyx was about to offer his arm to his betrothed. But Prince Luther strode forward. Gritting his teeth, Onyx rushed to at least keep pace with him.

What was wrong with the prince? It was one thing to dislike Onyx. But to show it so openly to everyone indicated they were not serious about this marriage and the treaty.

Mountain spirits!

His mother didn’t care for the treaty or for her obligations.

And neither did the man he would marry.

His uncle, the dragon king, and the queen consort stepped aside as Onyx and Luther reached the centre of the dance floor. Onyx could feel all eyes in the room fixed on them.

They faced each other. Prince Luther kept his gaze fixed on the wall behind Onyx.

Onyx didn’t want to dance with Prince Luther, the swine. But he had a responsibility. And that responsibility came before his own feelings.

He held out his hand, offering it to Prince Luther.

Seconds ticked by. Onyx forced himself to breathe.

Finally, the prince took Onyx’s hand and settled his other lightly on Onyx’s shoulder. Onyx placed his free hand on the prince’s waist. The muscles tensed beneath his palm.

Flute music trilled, floating above the crowd. Then the other instruments joined in, creating a soft and sweet melody. They began to dance, both rigid in each other’s arms. They circled the dance floor. Whispers mingled with the music.

“The lightning prince seems very nice,” Prince Luther said innocently. “Such an engaging and captivating man.”

Onyx did not respond. He didn’t know what Prince Luther was playing at, but he would not be involved in his childish games. He would stay silent and not rise to the bait.

“And beautiful too, of course,” Prince Luther mused. “Especially with those violet eyes and long white hair.”

“Are you fucking him?” The words spilled from Onyx’s mouth before he could stop himself.

Fuck! Why had he said that?

A slow, satisfied smile spread across Prince Luther’s lips. Vaguely, Onyx realised it was the first time the prince had ever smiled at him. “Are you jealous? Is the big lump of rock upset to see me flirting with someone? Do you wish I flirted with you?”

Onyx’s cheeks heated. “I … I don’t give a flying fuck who you flirt with. I just wished you behaved with a shred of decency for once.”

“Is that what you want?” he asked, voice smooth. The prince’s smile grew wider as they danced. He tilted his head, studying Onyx.

“No.” Prince Luther shook his head. “I don’t buy that. Not for a second. I think you just wish I’d show you a little … less decency.” His hand gripping Onyx’s squeezed. He stroked his fingers over the back of Onyx’s hand.

His touch burned Onyx’s skin. Onyx’s breathing sped up. He fought the urge to jerk his hand away.

The prince stepped in closer, until their bodies almost pressed together. His hand slid from Onyx’s shoulder to the centre of his chest as they continued to whirl around the dance floor.

“What are you doing?” Onyx whispered. “This is not the correct hold for this dance!”

Prince Luther smirked, green eyes twinkling. He tilted his head back as he stared up at Onyx, eyes falling half-closed. His tongue darted out and swiped slowly over his upper lip, a teasing, seductive motion.

Onyx willed his body to not respond. The little shit was mocking him. Still, Onyx could feel the heat pooling in his gut.

Onyx had never wanted to punch someone in the face so much in his entire life.

That was what Onyx wanted to do. He definitely had no desire whatsoever to pull Prince Luther against him and kiss those soft, full lips. Blood rushed to Onyx’s dick.

No. He’d much rather spank the conceited prince. An image of the prince crying out, bare-arsed and bent over Onyx’s lap as Onyx rained blows onto Prince Luther’s pert arse cheeks flashed in his mind.

He stumbled. He righted himself.

“What was that?” Prince Luther’s eyes flicked over Onyx’s face.

“Nothing,” Onyx snarled.

“No. Not nothing.” Prince Luther smiled. “What were you just thinking of?” he pressed. “Did you picture something fun? Something with me!” He laughed.

“I said it was nothing,” Onyx said between clenched teeth. “Just learn to behave like a prince. Not some spoiled, self-centred brat. For once in your life, put duty above yourself.”

In a split second, the smile slipped from Prince Luther’s face. All teasing playfulness gone. “Fuck you, you stone-shitting cunt.”

The music stopped. The dance ended.

The dragon prince dropped his hand and stepped back and away from Onyx. They stared at each other. Applause sounded throughout the ballroom.

Onyx bowed, reminding himself that if he was going to scold Prince Luther and tell him to do his duty, then Onyx better do the same. But before he’d even straightened, Prince Luther strode away.

Onyx bit back a sigh. And they had the bloody couple’s quest in a week.