Page 27 of Courting the Dragon Prince

Luther took a deep breath. He just had to get through this stupid quest with Warden Onyx.

“Here is the map and some basic supplies.” Grand Monk Ferdinand gave Warden Onyx the map. He handed a pack to Luther. Luther slung it over his shoulder.

“We wish you the best of luck and all success.” The grand monk stepped aside, gesturing with his thin arm to the path behind him that led deeper into the forest.

The herald played the trumpet. Applause broke out from those gathered.

Warden Onyx began to walk forward. Since they were chained together, Luther was forced to keep pace or be dragged along like some misbehaving child.

As they walked, the sounds of the crowd and blasting trumpet faded. Their boots crunched in the dirt and gravel as they moved through the trees.

As soon as they could no longer be seen by those beneath the pavilion, Luther spoke. “Step back. I’m going to shift and break these shackles. Then we can complete this bullshit quest in no time.” Luther stopped walking.

Warden Onyx tried to continue. The chain pulled taut, since Luther had stopped. He sneered at Luther. Warden Onyx opened his mouth as if about to say something.

But Luther just closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He reached for his powers, for the dragon within.

But … he couldn’t.

It was like a wall had been built between him and his ability to shift.

“What the fuck?” Luther’s eyes snapped open. He jerked at the shackles as panic flared inside him. “What is going on?”

“You don’t listen to anything, do you?” Warden Onyx asked. “These are special shackles created by the monks. They nullify magic powers whilst you wear them. That includes shifting.”

Luther closed his eyes, letting out a heavy breath. “So we have to do this task for real?”

“We do. Now come on.” Warden Onyx yanked on the chain, pulling Luther further into the forest.

ChapterThirteen

Onyx kept his gaze fixed on the map as they continued to walk.

“We’ve been walking in this stupid forest for hours. I’m hungry,” Prince Luther complained.

“Then you shouldn’t have eaten all the rations.” Onyx didn’t point out that Prince Luther, the greedy prat, hadn’t shared any of the food with Onyx.

“How was I meant to know we wouldn’t be done with the quest by now?”

Onyx held in a sigh. “If you’d been listening the other day, you’d know that the quest could go for the entire day. Potentially even several days.”

“What?” Prince Luther cried out. “Several days! There wasn’t enough food in the pack for several days!”

“That’s because they expect us to find our own food to show that we are resourceful and can provide for each other.” Really, why couldn’t Onyx be stuck with someone at least mildly competent?

Prince Luther shook his head. “The symbolism of this quest really is too much,” he muttered. In a mocking tone, he continued, “We must provide for each other, work together, be bound together, and face challenges together just as we will within our wonderful future marriage.”

Prince Luther glared at Onyx. “And just as in our marriage, during this quest, you are a pain in my arse, a thorn in my side, a jagged stone in my bloody shoe.”

“Would you just shut up for a moment!” Onyx snapped.

Mercifully, Prince Luther did. For one minute.

“How much further until we find the key?” Prince Luther lifted his arm and yanked, jolting Onyx and the hand that held the map. “Then we can get rid of these shackles, kill some fucking snails, and be done with this fucking nonsense.” He tugged again.

“Hold still so I can study the map!” Onyx yelled.

The prince rolled his eyes but thankfully kept his arm in place.