Luther just got married to Warden Onyx. He shouldn’t be flirting with someone else!
That was why Gerard felt uncomfortable at the display. He wasn’t jealous. He was just displeased with his brother’s behaviour.
Prince Elias smiled, his face lighting up. Then he leaned forward, touched Luther’s shoulder, and looked into Luther’s handsome unscarred face.
Gerard turned away. Of course, there might have been a time when Gerard could approach someone like Prince Elias. If he had arrived at a ball and seen the prince across the room, he would have smiled and tried to charm the man. He might have asked him to dance.
But Gerard did not dance anymore. And he could not charm a slug. Not with this face.
Where was Luther’s husband, anyway? Then he spotted the man standing, holding two goblets, watching Luther and Prince Elias together. The warden glowered.
Fucking flames!
Was Luther going to be just like their father? Always having affairs, not even bothering to hide it from his spouse. Gerard gritted his teeth. Not to mention that the peace treaty was currently in the process of being formed!
Could Luther not have waited until after peace had been properly secured?
Gerard had always known his brother’s sense of duty was lacking. Still, he’d thought better of him than this.
Then Luther spottedWarden Onyx. He stepped away from the lightning prince, who smiled and motioned for Warden Onyx to approach.
That is … interesting. Father wouldn’t do that.
He watched the three interacting, uncertain exactly what was happening. After a moment, Prince Elias walkedoff, hips swaying. He disappeared into the crowd. Gerard leaned to the side, trying to keep the prince in his sights.
And then Gerard realised what he was doing.Shit!He exhaled.Why am I so drawn to him?
He’d barely spoke to the lightning prince. And when he had, he’d been thoroughly unimpressed by the man. They had nothing in common. Prince Elias was empty-headed. Not a warrior or useful in any way Gerard could see.
So why am I so fascinated with him?
Gerard had never been this swayed by a pretty face before. At least not for more than one night. In the past, he’d been attracted to pretty or handsome men, but if they’d held his interest, they’d also been competent or men of substance. Not like Prince Elias.
I hope I don’t end up marrying him.
But a voice in the back of his head whispered,Would that be so bad?They might not be compatible or get along that well. But to have that man in his bed …
An image of the lightning prince splayed out amongst his sheets, dressed in something flimsy and sheer, staring up at him, filled Gerard’s mind. He swallowed.
Then he shook his head, dislodging the tempting image. He glanced around.
Where is Senta?
Maybe she’d found something more interesting to do. Then he spotted her, dancing below with a woman Gerard did not recognise. He leaned against the balustrade, watching her dance.
At least she is having fun.
“You know, I had not seen the dragon warrior in years before this peace assembly,” a young man said.
He stood directly beneathGerard on the lower floor. Lord Torrent from Draconia. He lacked the ability to shift. Beside him stood Albert, Gerard’s cousin. Gerard had never gotten along particularly well with Albert. He’d always thought the man to be an arrogant, jealous dick.
The king had gifted him the title of duke, which should have been an honour. But at the same time, the king had also gifted their cousin Dorothye with the title of princess. No doubt some, including Albert, saw that as a slight and thought he should have been granted the title of prince.
But what did Albert expect? He might be a competent fighter. But he lacked intelligence and discipline, often getting drunk or behaving inappropriately.
Still, Albert was the son of the grand dragon warrior in Draconia, who was Gerard’s mentor and aunt. So Gerard had always held his tongue around Albert. However, he’d always gotten the sense that his aunt did not think that well of her youngest child.
“And what did you think of our dragon warrior?” Albert asked. Despite the noise of the ball, his voice travelled clearly up to Gerard.
