Page 19 of Courting the Dragon Prince
Onyx strode towards the two individuals.
The lightning prince turned towards him, violet eyes sparkling. “Warden Onyx. Good to see you again.”
“Prince Elias. Good to see you too.” Onyx inclined his head.
“I must congratulate you on your recent engagement.” Prince Elias smiled between them. “And I must apologise. I seem to have stolen your betrothed.”
“Feel free to steal me away from Warden Onyx anytime, Prince Elias,” Prince Luther laughed, placing a hand on Prince Elias’s shoulder and leaning towards him. “Please.”
Onyx straightened his spine, pulling himself to his full height. He fought the urge to sneer.
How dare Prince Luther so openly mock their union?
Prince Elias Storm joined in with Prince Luther’s laughter. But he glanced between them as if sensing the simmering tension.
“Do you really have to look so bored, Warden Onyx?” The dragon prince chuckled. “You look like you’ve swallowed a bucket of pebbles. It’s a ball.” He gestured to the room. “Our betrothal ball, in fact. We’re meant to be having fun.”
Onyx’s whole body vibrated with suppressed tension.
But before more could be said, a trumpet blew, and the three turned towards the centre of the ballroom. The herald lowered his trumpet.
“I present King Alaric and Queen Consort Adelina of Draconia and Warden Flint Obsidian of the Grey Mountains.” The herald bowed and stepped to the side of the marble dance floor.
The king, queen consort, and warden made their way to where the herald had stood a moment before. Everyone stood silently as they listened.
“Tonight, we are gathered to celebrate the upcoming nuptials between Warden Onyx Obsidian and my son, Prince Luther Drachen.” The dragon king’s voice echoed around the ballroom.
Onyx’s uncle then spoke, “We now present to you the couple who will soon marry. Their marriage will be the second to seal the peace treaty. They will be dancing the Starlight Reverie.”
Onyx was about to offer his arm to his betrothed. But Prince Luther strode forward. Gritting his teeth, Onyx rushed to at least keep pace with him.
What was wrong with the prince? It was one thing to dislike Onyx. But to show it so openly to everyone indicated they were not serious about this marriage and the treaty.
Mountain spirits!
His mother didn’t care for the treaty or for her obligations.
And neither did the man he would marry.
His uncle, the dragon king, and the queen consort stepped aside as Onyx and Luther reached the centre of the dance floor. Onyx could feel all eyes in the room fixed on them.
They faced each other. Prince Luther kept his gaze fixed on the wall behind Onyx.
Onyx didn’t want to dance with Prince Luther, the swine. But he had a responsibility. And that responsibility came before his own feelings.
He held out his hand, offering it to Prince Luther.
Seconds ticked by. Onyx forced himself to breathe.
Finally, the prince took Onyx’s hand and settled his other lightly on Onyx’s shoulder. Onyx placed his free hand on the prince’s waist. The muscles tensed beneath his palm.
Flute music trilled, floating above the crowd. Then the other instruments joined in, creating a soft and sweet melody. They began to dance, both rigid in each other’s arms. They circled the dance floor. Whispers mingled with the music.
“The lightning prince seems very nice,” Prince Luther said innocently. “Such an engaging and captivating man.”
Onyx did not respond. He didn’t know what Prince Luther was playing at, but he would not be involved in his childish games. He would stay silent and not rise to the bait.
“And beautiful too, of course,” Prince Luther mused. “Especially with those violet eyes and long white hair.”
