Page 13 of Courting the Dragon Prince

“It was your call.”

“Buried and dead.”

“Why do you get to be happy?”

“I’m not!” Luther yelled at the voices.

“Buried and dead.” The words repeated, overlapping, growing in volume.

He turned his head, eyes jerkily searching. But he could see no one.

“Buried and dead.”

Luther cried out. He scrambled to his feet. He fled.

Suddenly, the voices stopped.

But as Luther ran, he heard the beating of dragons’ wings and the cracking of rock above.

ChapterSix

The shimex mushroom dust was definitely a mistake.

The previous night had been the first time Luther had tried it. It would be the last. He’d wanted something to help him relax. Not hallucinate.

Luther’s whole body ached. His head throbbed. He’d gotten lost in the city and stumbled and tripped around until he collapsed in a doorway. There he’d been stuck in a waking nightmare until his head cleared enough for him to make his way back to the upper monastery.

His father had frowned at Luther when he returned. He’d informed Luther they needed to attend a meeting to discuss the details of his wedding. His father had looked thoroughly unimpressed by Luther. But what was new?

Luther had only just had time to get washed and changed.

“I don’t know what’s come over you,” his father snapped as they left the rooms provided for the Draconian royal family. “You’ve been such a mess since I told you that you’d be marrying Warden Onyx.”

Luther didn’t disagree. Although, truthfully, he’d been a mess long before that. He’d just hidden it better.

“Why can’t you be more like your older sibling?” His father glared at him.

It was on the tip of Luther’s tongue to ask which one. But he was pretty certain his father would prefer he behave like any of his four older siblings. All of them were the very model of responsibility.

In the meeting, Luther tried to sit up straighter. He tried to appear more alert and like he was listening to the grand monk. He tried to be what his father wanted him to be. But Luther doubted he looked anything other than the wretch he felt like.

“I believe I have covered the courtship rituals, which will help you become better acquainted with each other.” The grand monk steepled his thin, veined hands. “And I’ve explained what you can expect from the wedding ceremony.” He sat at the head of a long wooden table.

Royals, nobles, and dignitaries from the different kingdoms sat on either side of the table, along with several monks. Since it was Luther’s wedding, he got to sit near the top of the table, right next to the grand monk. Opposite him, on the other side of the long table, sat Warden Onyx.

When Luther had entered, Warden Onyx had given him a quick once-over, lip curling before he turned away. He didn’t even acknowledge Luther.

Luther flushed. He knew he looked terrible. The servant’s attention couldn’t fix the bags under Luther’s eyes or the redness. And not even the best clothes could make him look presentable when he struggled to sit up straight.

Warden Onyx kept his gaze on the grand monk throughout the meeting, hanging off his words.

“Are there any concerns or questions regarding the courtship rituals or marriage?” The grand monk gazed around.

Does Warden Onyx ever smile?

Although Luther had to admit that even when Warden Onyx was glowering, his face held a lot of appeal. Deep, furrowed brows over dark eyes combined with a strong nose, firm, full lips, and a chiselled jaw had surely made several princes, princesses, lords, ladies, and wardens swoon.

Those broad shoulders must be wonderful to grip onto in the throes of passion. Luther imagined that beneath the man’s rather dull-looking cloak were all kinds of delicious muscles.