Page 49 of Courting the Dragon Prince

“Oh. I hadn’t realised.” Onyx glanced around. “Sorry.” The lower monastery was the part of the monastery where the monks resided. That explained the simplicity of the furniture and rooms. And it explained all the monks. And the chanting.

But if he was in the lower monastery, that meant Onyx had wandered straight through the middle monastery without even noticing. That part of the monastery was dedicated to the Dove Healing Academy, where many from the different kingdoms travelled to learn healing magic from the monks.

“It is no issue. You are welcome to visit all parts of the monastery. But not many of our esteemed guests come to this part. And you do not disturb me.” The grand monk gestured to a large scroll lying before him on a wooden table. “I am merely gazing upon the scroll of the Monks of the Way of the Dove. Have you seen it before?”

Onyx shook his head. “I have not.”

“Do you wish to look upon it now?” the grand monk asked.

Onyx wanted to say no. He wasn’t in the mood to talk. But as his mother had once said years ago, a grand warden needed to build good diplomatic relations with others. And here was an opportunity to develop a potentially useful relationship that could benefit the Grey Mountains.

So, instead of making some excuse to slink away, Onyx said, “I would,” and approached the grand monk and his scroll.

ChapterTwenty-Two

Onyx gazed down at the scroll. Signatures scrawled in rose-gold ink marked the papyrus paper, which wrapped around two large golden rods.

“This is where we sign our names when we join the monastic order,” the grand monk explained.

“It looks like many have signed their names,” Onyx said, taking in the thickness of the scroll.

“Every time the scroll is filled, more parchment is added so we can continue to grow.” The grand monk nodded. “We have been around for hundreds of years. Of course, at the beginning, the monastery itself was very small.”

Onyx glanced back the way he had come. “The White Monastery has a very interesting layout.”

“It does.” The grand monk chuckled. “And I hope you have been comfortable during your stay. We monks live simply. But we always strive to ensure the accommodations are appropriate for illustrious guests such as yourself.”

“I have been very comfortable,” Onyx said. “Thank you, Grand Monk.”

“Excellent.” The grand monk clasped his hands before him. “Of course, we could not have made the White Monastery what it is without the support from the different kingdoms.”

Onyx nodded. Many of the kingdoms provided money to the White Monastery for hosting these events and for the use of the monks’ magic. The kingdoms, along with many individuals, also donated money to the monks’ charitable works, such as their poorhouses, orphanages, and hospitals that existed throughout the different kingdoms.

But the monks had their own income as well. Those who trained to become healers at the Healing Dove Academy paid to study there. The monks also had their own city, a port town, and farmland on the island, which all produced income.

And when an individual joined the monkhood, they gave over their wealth, their land, and the money earned from that land to the monastic order. The land often became used for the doves’ charitable operations. Many nobles and rulers resented the presence of the monks within their kingdom.

Onyx had had a great-aunt who’d joined the monks long before the war. Her castle had become a combination of a hospital, and later, it had been used as a refuge for those displaced during the war with the dragons. He’d heard his uncle complain about the problems it had caused as his great-aunt had denied her children their inheritance.

Still, Onyx knew that the monks who now used what once had been his great-aunt’s castle had helped a great many people during the war. So perhaps her joining the monks and giving over her castle had been for the best.

The grand monk’s gaze returned to the scroll. “Each individual who signs their name binds themself to committing their life to peace.”

“A virtuous goal indeed,” Onyx said.

“It is.” The grand monk stared up at Onyx. “And like your marriage contract, the vows cannot be undone.”

Onyx’s throat tightened.

Once he was married to Luther, there would be no going back. For the rest of their lives, they’d reside together. He knew that. Still, every time he thought about it, his stomach sank.

The grand monk frowned. “I truly am sorry for what happened with the giant snails during the couple’s quest. If I’d known?—”

“You do not need to apologise again.” Onyx lifted his hand, trying to still the monk’s words.

When Onyx had returned to the White Monastery the day after the quest, riding on a horse purchased from Mistress Fisher, his uncle had come directly to him, clearly disconcerted by what had occurred. It seemed Luther had told them.

“When I received word from the villagers about the giant snails, I had no idea they were so dangerous.” The grand monk’s bushy brows furrowed. “From the message, I’d thought they were just destroying crops. And when your uncle went to set up the quest, he did not actually see the giant snails. When I think what could have happened.” A distressed noise escaped him.