Page 125 of Courting the Dragon Prince

His uncle ignored him and kept speaking. “When you and Prince Luther are both dead, the treaty will collapse. There will be no coming back from that. The dragons won’t forgive us, not if I make it look like you killed Prince Luther.”

An icy smile stretched across Warden Flint’s face. “Our other allies might try and salvage the peace treaty. But with the dragon king’s son killed at the hands of the earth elemental heir, they will not have any success.

“And all the Grey Mountains nobles will rally. I am in constant contact with the nobles, and I know they will quickly follow me to war if the treaty devolves. Once again, we will fight in glorious battle!” His eyes shone as he imagined it.

Onyx shook his head. It lolled from side to side. “No. We need peace.”

Warden Flint stood. He stepped towards Onyx, looming over him.

Onyx struggled to crane his neck to look up.

“I had considered putting you on the throne to replace your mother. You see, I am not doing this to fulfil my own ambitions. That is not my goal.” His uncle paused. “But I discovered you lacked the will to lead. You’re soft. Like your mother. You wanted peace. You’d been scribbling letters to her, begging her for it.” His voice dripped with disgust.

Warden Flint’s gaze flitted over Onyx’s face. “For a brief moment when I came in just now, I hoped you’d see how foolish peace with the dragons is. I hoped I could spare your life.”

Warden Flint shook his head. “But even after everything, you were still going on and on about the need for peace.” He took a deep breath. His face hardened with determination. “War will return. This time, I will be grand warden. I will be strong. I will lead us to victory.”

“What about me?” Onyx asked weakly. “What about mother?”

“I told you once that we all must do what is required for the glory of the Grey Mountains.” Warden Flint’s spine straightened. “I promised you that there was no cost I would not pay for our kingdom’s future. This is the price I will pay.”

His uncle knelt in front of him. “I take no pleasure in your death, Onyx. You are a noble and honourable warrior. But you are not suited to be grand warden. I am sorry. I will take no pleasure in killing your mother either. I love my sister. But I will do what must be done. I will not be like your mother and let my softer feelings get in the way of our kingdom’s future.”

Onyx tried once again to rise. But his body didn’t move. He wanted to scream. He wanted to hurl boulders at his uncle. But his body failed him.

“Her death will be painless,” his uncle continued. “I promise. She will suffer an overdose from lysithea tea after your unfortunate death. It will surprise no one that she overdosed. Perhaps it could even be seen as a mercy.”

Onyx’s face twisted. He stared up at his uncle, his family, his blood. “Uncle, please!” he begged, voice so weak.

“I really will not take any pleasure in killing you, Onyx.” His uncle gave him a sad smile. “Actually, when I was setting up the couple’s quest and came across the snails, I’d hoped they might kill you both. I would have been grateful to those beasts for taking that burden from my hands.”

With horror, Onyx realised his uncle had known how dangerous the snails were.

“Of course, it would have made it more difficult to cause the collapse of the peace treaty,” Warden Flint said. “But since I’d still dispose of your mother and be grand warden, I could have easily made that happen. But unfortunately, you and Luther proved too capable.”

Warden Flint rose, squared his shoulders, and turned his gaze towards the window. The golden sun set over the mountains. The light danced on his uncle’s face. “I will lead the kingdom to a wonderous future. And when I am gone, my daughter will continue to lead the Kingdom of the Grey Mountains.”

“Jade?” Had she betrayed Onyx too? Pain lanced through his chest. He fought to make his lips form words. “Does she know of this?”

Warden Flint shook his head. “No. There was no need, and I did not wish to involve her in this unpleasantness.”

At least Onyx’s cousin hadn’t betrayed him as well. Onyx’s eyelids grew heavy. He struggled to keep them open.

“You once said that you would do anything, give anything for our kingdom.” Warden Flint smiled at him.

Onyx moved his mouth. But he could no longer form words.

I didn’t mean like this. I meant for peace.

Warden Flint leaned down. He squeezed Onyx’s shoulder. A look of something resembling pride filled his uncle’s eyes. “Your life is what you must give for the glory of the Grey Mountains, Onyx. You can die peacefully, knowing you are doing your part for our mighty kingdom and its future.”

His uncle released Onyx’s shoulder and rose. “It will all be over soon, Onyx. By tomorrow morning, you and Prince Luther will be dead. The death of the peace accord will follow soon after.”

His uncle stared down at him. Onyx’s eyes grew heavier and heavier. They fell shut as he lost the battle to keep them open.

Luther. Mighty mountain spirits, please let Luther escape.

ChapterFifty-Seven