Page 18 of Courting the Dragon Prince

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.”

ChapterEight

Onyx 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 washisintended. 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.