Page 77 of Courting the Dragon Prince

“Well, feel free to sleep whenever you are ready.”

Luther crossed to the bed. He tugged back the sheets. He paused. “What will you do?”

Onyx’s brows drew low. “I … I am not sure. I honestly didn’t think about it when I invited you here.” More uncertainty.

Luther lay down, sinking into the deliciously soft mattress with a sigh. At least earth elementals didn’t sleep on rocks. “You could stay and do whatever you would normally do.”

“My presence won’t bother you?”

Please stay.“No.” Luther didn’t know why, but he felt like he might actually sleep if Onyx were here. Like Onyx’s mere presence might keep the nightmares at bay.

And the silence and being alone didn’t help him sleep. Maybe someone being present and moving around would.

Onyx stared at him for several long seconds. “All right. I have some papers from my uncle that I can read over. I might also meditate. I’ll try not to make too much noise.” He sat by the small table and picked up the papers.

Luther pulled the blanket up and over him.

Onyx stared at him for a few seconds before he bent his neck and began to read.

Luther closed his eyes. But despite his exhaustion, sleep didn’t take him. Not unusual.

After several minutes, he opened his eyes and watched Onyx. Paper rustled between Onyx’s fingers. His eyes darted back and forth. His mouth moved as he silently read the words. After a while, Onyx turned the page.

Slowly, Luther’s eyes grew heavy. Eventually, they fluttered shut.

When he opened his eyes again, the room had changed. The day had shifted to night.

Luther had slept. Surprised, he realised he’d slept better than he had in a long time. From the light, he could tell he’d slept for hours. He’d not woken once, which was a miracle. Nor had any nightmares terrorised him.

He was pretty sure he had Onyx to thank for that.

A lantern on the table was the only light in the room. A few plates of food sat alongside it. Although, one plate held only crumbs. A bottle of wine and a pitcher of water had also been placed on the table along with four glasses. Two of which held small amounts of liquid in the bottoms.

But Onyx no longer sat at the table. Instead, he sat cross-legged on the stone slab, eyes closed, hands resting on his knees, meditating.

Or at least Luther assumed this must be meditating. For several minutes, he stayed completely still, watching Onyx, revelling in the feeling of being well rested for once and enveloped in a warm cocoon of blankets.

How long had Onyx been sitting there?

Luther thought meditating looked quite boring. But maybe it didn’t feel boring. Maybe feeling the energy of the stone, or whatever Onyx had said, felt invigorating, felt magical. Onyx’s chest rose and fell slowly.

Luther snuggled down into the sheets. He wanted to stay where he was watching Onyx. But unfortunately, Luther’s full bladder made itself known and was becoming more demanding with every second that passed. He probably had the tea he’d drunk earlier in the day to thank for that.

Luther squirmed in the bed, knowing he needed to rise but not wishing to.

Onyx’s eyes opened. “You’re awake.”

ChapterThirty-Four

“Iam. And I slept surprisingly well. Your bed is very comfy.” Luther threw back the blankets and swung his legs off the side of the bed. “But sadly, I have to get up because I desperately need a piss.”

“There is a garderobe on the right down the corridor,” Onyx said.

Luther rose, and Onyx’s appreciative gaze slid over Luther’s nude body as he walked across the room.

Luther, now rested, felt a stirring in his groin under Onyx’s heated gaze. But first, he needed to pee. “Do you have something I could wear? I don’t want to run into your uncle or mother whilst I’m naked.”

“Over there.” Onyx pointed to two white lounging robes that hung from a hook on the wall. Luther grabbed one of them and tugged it on.