Page 51 of Courting the Dragon Prince

His hands clenched into fists, fingers digging into his palms. The rage built inside his belly. Anger flowed through his arteries. Anger at the vile dragon queen for invading their lands. Anger at all her descendants, including Luther, for fighting in the war that had resulted in his sister’s death.

Did any of them care about the destruction they’d caused with their invasion? Did they care how many had died? Or how many had suffered because of their arrogance and greed? Did they regret any of it?

His fists trembled with the fury he wanted to unleash on the dragons.

Then Onyx noticed the grand monk staring at him, watching him.

With effort, Onyx relaxed his fists. He let out a breath as he tried to release the anger.

“There are those who do not believe in the treaty, in seeking peace with those who were once their enemy,” the grand monk said, voice calm and even. He studied Onyx. “You lost a sister during the war, killed at the hands of the dragons. Do you truly wish for peace with them, Warden Onyx?”

Did the grand monk think Onyx was one of the individuals who stood against the treaty? Who might try to stop it?

“I do. I want peace.” Onyx shook his head, trying to regain control of his emotions. “I … I am angry at the dragons. That is true. And my sister’s death was—” Onyx’s hands twitched. “But I want peace. I want peace above everything.

“We can’t keep fighting them,” Onyx said. “We can’t keep losing people so pointlessly. We need the war to end. We need the destruction to end. And I will marry someone if it will bring peace.” Onyx took a deep breath. “I will do anything for peace.”

The grand monk stared at him for several long heartbeats. Then he smiled.

Onyx let out a breath.

“Perhaps you could have been one of us.” The grand monk paused. “But I think perhaps you have a different role to play.” The grand monk gripped Onyx’s shoulder. “I know the path to peace can be hard, painful even, but you are doing your part. That is what matters.”

ChapterTwenty-Three

Luther crossed his arms over his chest as he walked.

He’d been avoiding Onyx since the couple’s quest. And Luther had been doing a pretty good job of it too. But today, the day before his wedding, his father had informed Luther that he would be walking in the gardens with his betrothed.

So here Luther was. Walking in the gardens with his betrothed, doing his fucking duty, like everyone seemed to think him incapable of doing. Meanwhile, monks and individuals from the different kingdoms milled around and watched them.

Despite them walking together for an hour, Luther had continued to ignore Onyx. Onyx had initially attempted to make conversation. Luther had simply not responded.

After all, why should he? He’d tried to be civil with Onyx. He’d tried to be nice, and he’d gotten nothing for it but Onyx’s scorn and disdain.

So Luther had decided that he would do exactly what was required of him. But nothing more.

Still, Luther grew weary traipsing around colourful flower beds, beneath fragrant wisteria vines, and around pristinely manicured shrubs in the monastery’s largest garden.

“How much longer do we have to walk around this fucking garden? What is even the point of this?” Luther snapped.

“It’s part of the courtship rituals. They want us to be seen in public.” Onyx glanced at him, thankfully not commenting on the fact Luther had just spoken to him after continuously ignoring him. “It’s meant to show everyone that we are serious about this marriage and the treaty.”

Onyx had his hands clasped behind him. He wore robes of amber and embossed grey leather. “And we are setting an example of unity. We were once enemies. Yet now we are to be married tomorrow.”

Luther scoffed. “I think you mean we wereenemies, we continue to be enemies, and we are to be married tomorrow.”

Onyx glanced at him but didn’t speak.

“Well, I’m sure us walking around really convinces everyone that we are desperately in love.” Luther gestured with an extravagant flourish to a peacock strutting across the perfectly cut grass. “Oh, look, beloved,” he said loud enough that those watching could hear them. “A pretty bird.”

Several glanced their way.

Luther looked to Onyx. He lowered his voice. “There. Do you think I have convinced everyone we are in love?”

“We don’t need to convince anyone we are in love,” Onyx snapped. “We just need to act like we are committed to this marriage.”

Luther rolled his eyes. “Oh, look, my sweet, precious Warden Onyx. Here is a tiny wooden bridge over a minuscule river. The picturesque sight of us walking over this bridge will demonstrate how successful our union is, and it will cause peace to reign over all the kingdoms forevermore.”