Page 142 of Courting the Dragon Prince
“That’s good.” Onyx frowned. “But I was thinking you’ll have to shift again with your broken bone to fly us back. Will that be all right?”
Luther shrugged. “I don’t think I can do more damage than I’ve already done to it. And it will take too long to go by land and boat to get to the monastery. I think it’s just best I shift and see my father’s healer as soon as we arrive.”
“All right. If you’re sure.” Onyx stroked a hand down Luther’s bare back.
Luther closed his eyes and nuzzled closer.
Onyx watched the curtain moving in the gentle breeze as the events of the previous day played through his mind. He sighed.
Luther opened his eyes. “Are you all right? Sorry. Stupid question. Your uncle betrayed you and tried to kill you. Of course you aren’t all right.”
“It’s a lot. And honestly, I’m just not sure how to move forward now as heir of the Grey Mountains,” Onyx said. “My uncle was my adviser. He took over so much after my mother became addicted to lysithea tea. He practically ran the kingdom.” Onyx paused.
“I mean, he was plotting to kill me, you, and my mother, take the throne for himself, and lead the Grey Mountains back into war. But he knew what was going on in the kingdom, at least. I have no clue. I’m a warrior. Not a ruler. I mean, my mother won’t be any help. And my cousin …” Onyx trailed off. “I don’t know how Jade will react when she finds out what her father has done.”
Onyx stared at the stars twinkling outside the window as the fear dug its nails deep into his chest. “How am I meant to move forward on my own?”
Luther pulled back, gazing into Onyx’s eyes. “You aren’t alone. You have me.”
Onyx smiled. “I do?”
“Of course. Not to say I’ll be much help,” Luther said. “I know fuck all about ruling. But we can learn together. Everything is a mess, but we’ll stumble forward together.” He pressed a kiss to Onyx’s nose. “And we can find advisers to help. Advisers and diplomats always seem to be hanging around everywhere. I’m sure there are lots in the Grey Mountains who could assist. And I also have my siblings. I can ask them. They know stuff, and I trust them.”
Onyx felt some of the fear in his chest release.
“And you aren’t as incompetent as you think.” Luther pressed a finger to the middle of Onyx’s chest. “You are brave and strong and honourable. And you understand why we need peace. You wanted to end the war. I think that makes you a far better ruler than many, including your uncle.”
“Thank you,” Onyx said. “You don’t know what your words mean to me. And I think you underestimate yourself. I know I feel a lot better knowing I have you by my side. I think you’ll make a wonderful consort.”
“Really?” Luther smiled.
“I do.” And for the first time since becoming heir, Onyx thought that maybe he could do this. That maybe with Luther, one day, he could learn to be a decent ruler.
“I am sorry for the things I said yesterday,” Onyx said. Was it really just yesterday? “Especially for saying your people deserved to die. That was beyond cruel.”
Luther pressed his face against Onyx’s throat. “I’m sorry for hitting you.”
“I’m pretty sure we hit each other.” Onyx smoothed his hand over Luther’s hair.
“Yeah. But I definitely got youmuchworse,” Luther said.
Onyx could hear the smile in Luther’s voice. “What? Fuck you, you arrogant little shit!”
Luther’s laughter brushed against Onyx’s throat. Onyx chuckled.
They lay together silently for several minutes. The song of a nightingale drifted through the window.
“It’s been better with you,” Luther said softly.
“What has?”
“The sleeping. The memories. All the pain from the past,” Luther said. “It hasn’t gone away. You know that. But it’s been less intense recently.”
Onyx squeezed him. “I’m glad.”
“And I want to keep getting better. I don’t want to keep tormenting myself or blaming myself. I don’t—” Luther took a deep breath. “I’ll never be able to forget them and what happened. But I don’t want it to consume me. I want to be able to move on. To move forward.”
“I want that for you as well.” Onyx cupped Luther’s cheek, tilting his head up. He gazed into Luther’s green eyes. “And I’ll be here with you as you do. I’ll be by your side through it all. I promise.” Then he sealed his promise with a kiss.
