Page 110 of Courting the Dragon Prince

“You stole them! I can’t believe you stole them.” Onyx shook his head.

“Well …” Luther didn’t have an excuse. But they’d been pretty keys, and they’d seemed important.

Still laughing, Onyx pulled Luther close. Luther dropped his bag to the floor but held on to the keys.

“I like your hoard. It’s charming.” Then Onyx pressed a kiss to his lips. “And it’s a lot more interesting than gold and jewels.”

Onyx kissed Luther a second time. This time, he slid his fingers into Luther’s hair, holding him in place as he plundered Luther’s mouth with his tongue.

The tension unwound in Luther’s chest. He’d not realised how worried he was that Onyx might laugh at his hoard. Luther melted into the kiss, wrapping his arms around Onyx’s shoulders whilst his fingers still clutched the keys.

Everything between them seemed to be going so well. But could this really last? They were opposites. They’d been literal enemies such a short while ago. Less than a week ago, they’d been fighting and barking at each other, unable to stand being in each other’s presence. They’d hated each other.

Could they really find happiness together in this arranged marriage? Could they find love? Or was Luther just fooling himself and wishing for the impossible?

ChapterForty-Nine

“Aletter arrived, Your Highness.” The servant bowed and handed Onyx the letter.

“Thank you.” Onyx took the thick envelope.

From the thickness, Onyx could tell it contained quite a few sheets of paper. In his uncle’s familiar handwriting, “Warden Onyx Obsidian”had been scrawled across the front.

The servant bowed and swiftly left the room. Onyx glanced at the two other servants attending them in the small dining room where Onyx and Luther sat at a table eating their breakfast.

One servant stood by the door, awaiting any orders. The other stood by a table, ready to serve food or drink to Onyx or Luther should they require it.

The table held a plethora of foods—sausages, fried fish, tomatoes, roasted potatoes, eggs, fruit, and toasted bread—as well as a pot of tea, a pitcher of water, and a small carafe of herbed schnapps that apparently assisted with digestion.

All the food was much more heavily spiced than Onyx was used to. Sometimes, the food burned his mouth. He’d learnt to ask how spicy a dish was before tucking in.

Onyx had been at the Castle of the Dragons for five days. The servants constantly hovering around had taken some getting used to. In Limestone Castle, whilst they had servants to cook, clean, serve, and fulfil most requests, they generally did not linger around.

For example, except for at formal meals, the servants presented the food and left. They returned only after the meal had been finished to clear away the serving dishes, plates, and whatnot. His mother usually had a servant close by with the lysithea tea. But that was an exception.

Here in Draconia, the servants were everywhere. In fact, one servant always remained outside Luther’s room during the day, at least whilst he was in residence. Luther clearly was used to it. Onyx was not.

Everything about the Castle of the Dragons just seemed grander and more opulent than Onyx was used to. Thankfully, Luther seemed to understand that Onyx did not feel comfortable around too much splendour and so many lingering servants. So Luther had made a point of using more intimate and simple rooms, such as this cosy dining room. And fewer servants.

Onyx broke the wax seal of the envelope.

“Is that from your uncle?” Luther speared a roasted tomato with his fork and cut into it.

“It is. He told me he’d keep me updated with information on the meetings.”

The first page had been written in his uncle’s handwriting. Some of the pages had been written in the script of Warden Flint’s assistant. No doubt, his uncle had dictated to him. The rest had been written by Jade. Onyx read quickly through the first page.

“Huh. Seems my uncle will be at the Grey Mountains in five days’ time.” Onyx paused. “Well, three days from now. The letter was dated two days ago. He says that some issues have arisen in the Grey Mountains that need to be dealt with.”

Onyx read aloud, “I’d hoped to be able to address the issues from the White Monastery, but now I believe I must do so in person. I would like you to be there to assist me. I could use your help, and I believe it will provide you with valuable experience in dealing with Grey Mountains nobles.”

A sense of pride filled Onyx’s chest. This was the first time his uncle had asked for his help with something like this. It seemed Onyx’s words to his uncle had actually worked. Warden Flint was including him in running the kingdom and helping Onyx prepare to be grand warden one day.

“Does your uncle say what he needs help dealing with?” Luther popped a forkful of eggs into his mouth.

Onyx shook his head. “No. He just mentions issues. And Grey Mountains nobles. So I assume it must have something to do with them.”

“Hmmm.” Luther chewed thoughtfully before swallowing. “Do you think it is regarding the peace treaty? Do you think some of the nobles might be opposing it?”