Page 36 of Courting the Dragon Prince

“Probably.” Luther folded the map and tucked it inside his coat. He took a deep breath and walked towards the cave.

An unlit torch hung from a sconce just outside the entrance. Luther tugged the pack from his back. “I think there is some flint and steel in here.” He rummaged around inside. “Got it.”

Luther held the flint near the torch cloth, which smelled like it had been dipped in oil. He scraped the steel along the flint, causing sparks to dance along the metal. The cloth caught alight.

Luther picked up the torch. He glanced into the darkness. He hesitated. His hand tightened on the torch handle.

“Come on,” Onyx urged. “Let’s go.”

Mouth set, Luther entered the cave, lighting the way ahead. Onyx followed.

A long tunnel ran deep into the rock. It was just wide enough that they could have walked side by side if they wished. If Onyx reached his arms up, his hands could touch the ceiling.

Onyx frowned. “There’s something on the walls.”

Around them, the rock glistened in the torchlight. It wasn’t the rock itself. Some strange substance coated it. Onyx leaned towards it. “What is it?”

But Luther tugged him forward, not listening, seemingly determined to barrel forward now that they’d entered the cave.

“Come on! The key is up here. I am sure of it. We just need to get it so we can get out of here!” Luther said breathlessly.

Onyx let himself be tugged. Clearly, Luther was desperate to get out of these shackles.

Still, the strange glistening substance continued to coat the walls of the tunnel.

“There it is!” Luther yelled.

Onyx’s gaze turned to focus ahead of them. The tunnel opened up into a cave. In the middle stood a stone pillar. A brass key on a large ring lay on the stone.

“Thank the mountain spirits.” Onyx let out a breath.

Luther rushed forward, dragging Onyx along with him by the chains. Luther placed the torch on the pillar and snatched up the key. He held it up, dangling it before his face.

“What a pretty key.” Luther tilted it back and forth. He leaned in close. “It has an unusual pattern along the stem.”

“Just hurry up and unlock the shackles!” Onyx lifted his wrist towards Luther. He gripped the metal cuff around his wrist, rotating it so the keyhole faced Luther.

“Right. Of course.” Luther slid the key into the hole. He turned it. With a clink, the cuff opened. Onyx took the metal off.

He let out a groan as a rush of energy washed over him. He could sense the earth, stone, and dirt all around him. He felt like he could breathe again.

Luther undid the cuff around his own wrist. The shackles fell to the dirt with a clunking thud.

Onyx rubbed at his wrist. “That’s so much better.” Onyx lifted his arm. He swung it, moving it freely. He took a step back, revelling in the fact that they were no longer bound together. He didn’t have to base his movements on Luther anymore.

Thank the mountain spirits!

“Excellent.” Luther shoved the key in the pack and smiled.

He looked up at Onyx, still smiling. And Onyx couldn’t help but notice what a handsome smile the dragon prince had.

“Now let’s get out of here,” Luther said. “Quickly!”

Onyx didn’t quite understand Luther’s rush. But he nodded.

Then Luther’s gaze flicked beyond Onyx to the cave wall behind him. His smile dropped. His mouth fell open.

He lifted his hand and pointed. “Snail!”