Page 91 of Courting the Dragon Prince
Onyx’s cry of shock morphed into laughter as they lifted off from the courtyard.
Luther smiled as he beat his wings, taking them higher and higher until they soared above the monastery.
“This is incredible!” Onyx screamed.
Luther could feel Onyx’s weight shifting in the harness on his back as Onyx leaned to the side so he could get a better view of the copper rooftops of the towers, spires, and halls.
He really isn’t scared of heights.
Although the harness had straps that held Onyx securely in place, Luther knew most riders just clung to the pommel, body flattened to the dragon’s back, too scared of falling to take in the view.
And here was Onyx, two seconds into the flight, leaning out, not scared at all of tumbling off Luther’s back to his death. Luther was impressed.
Although, honestly, Luther didn’t have much experience with people riding on his back. During the war, all dragons had been trained to carry riders in case they needed to transport individuals who couldn’t themselves shift and fly. But Luther had not been required to do that during the war.
And Luther had never actually offered to let anyone ride him before. After all, those closest to him were dragons themselves.
But when Onyx had offered to keep him company, Luther had wanted that. So he’d offered. Luther was glad he had. Luther had tried to make it sound like it wasn’t a big deal. But he could see in Onyx’s eyes he knew what an honour it was to be invited to ride a dragon.
“Mighty mountain spirits, what a view! What a magnificent fucking view!” Onyx yelled, slapping Luther’s back. “Woooo!”
Luther didn’t think he’d ever heard Onyx so … carefree, so exuberant. Normally, the earth elemental was so controlled and reserved.
Luther was pleased he could give this to Onyx. Proud even.
And to think, everything had almost gone terribly wrong earlier with Onyx yelling at him, Luther yelling back, them once again fighting.
This was better. Flying through a starry, cloudless sky together was definitely better.
“Can we fly towards them?” Onyx yelled.
Luther craned his neck to look back at Onyx. Onyx pointed at the mountains in the distance. Luther huffed a laugh.
Of course Onyx wants to go to the mountains.
Luther swerved, tilting his massive wings and body as he angled them in the direction Onyx had pointed.
Onyx let out a startled cry as Luther’s whole body tipped to the side. Luther glanced back to ensure Onyx was all right. But although the man gripped the pommel tightly in his hands, a massive grin split his face as he stared below.
Onyx shook his head in amazement. “This really is incredible.” Onyx tore his gaze from the ground to look at Luther. “You can see so much from up here. It gives you a whole new perspective.”
Luther gazed down at the treetops of the forest, bathed in the soft blue light of the moon.
He’d been flying since puberty. It had been fun then, soaring with his siblings and friends as they explored Draconia.
In the years since, a lot of the wonder and awe of flying had disappeared. Especially once he’d joined the war. Being a dragon during the war had meant being a weapon who killed and fought. Now, after the war, he flew to try to exhaust himself so he could sleep.
When had he last flown for fun? When had he last found the joy in flight?
“And you fly so fast! We’re almost to the mountains already,” Onyx cried out.
Luther’s chest puffed up. Luther wished he could tell Onyx that not all dragons could fly this fast. Luther had always been a skilled and swift flyer. He would have to remember to casually mention it to Onyx afterwards so the earth elemental knew he’d flown on one of the fastest dragons in all of Draconia.
He would also have to remember to tell Onyx he could fly much faster than this too. But he’d been taught to fly slower with a rider on his back. Flying too fast could harm them.
Luther swerved as he guided them through the mountains. And each time Luther tilted his body and wings to the side, Onyx let out a whoop or cry of excitement.
He really enjoys this.
