Copyright © 2026 by Gigi Rivers.

  Ebook first published by Gigi Rivers in 2026.

  Author’s website: gigirivers.com

  Copyediting and proofing by Lyss Em.

  Cover art by Morningstar Ashley.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner except for the use of quotations in a book review. For permission contact: gigirivers.author@gmail.com

  This book is human-created content. AI was not used in the writing of this manuscript.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Formatted with Vellum

  Contents

  Note on content warnings

  Blurb

  Series Recap

  Timeline Note

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Chapter 47

  Chapter 48

  Chapter 49

  Chapter 50

  Chapter 51

  Chapter 52

  Chapter 53

  Chapter 54

  Chapter 55

  Chapter 56

  Chapter 57

  Chapter 58

  Chapter 59

  Chapter 60

  Chapter 61

  Chapter 62

  Chapter 63

  Chapter 64

  Chapter 65

  Chapter 66

  Chapter 67

  Chapter 68

  Chapter 69

  Chapter 70

  Chapter 71

  Epilogue

  Courting the Dragon King

  Please Leave A Review!

  By Gigi Rivers

  About Gigi Rivers

  Acknowledgments

  Content Warning

  For those struggling to be their true selves.

  This one is for you.

  Note on content warnings

  Content warnings can be found at the very back of this book.

  Two princes from enemy kingdoms.

  Forced to marry to end a war.

  Can they find love when so much stands against them?

  Dragon Warrior Prince Gerard bears the scars of a vicious attack from a Voltarian lightning sorcerer who stole half his vision and almost his life. Now Gerard must marry a Voltarian. He’ll do it. For peace. For duty. At least his betrothed isn't a lightning sorcerer.

  Instead, his soon-to-be husband is a breathtaking beauty with no real magic. Gerard disdains the empty-headed, frivolous Prince Elias. Yet he cannot deny his attraction. Still, this can only ever be a political union. They are complete opposites. And how could someone so stunning ever want him?

  Prince Elias has learned long ago never to trust. He wears his beauty like armour, keeping everyone at a distance. But when he is betrothed to Gerard, he finds himself drawn to the reserved and powerful dragon warrior. Elias can’t help but reveal parts of himself he has long kept hidden.

  Yet shadowy forces are working to ensure the peace treaty fails. And Elias carries a secret that could destroy everything between them. Can the two princes find their happily ever after? Or will the treaty fail, plunging their kingdoms into war once again?

  Series Recap

  Spoiler alert: This recap includes spoilers from Courting the Dragon Prince, A Royal Arrangement Book 1.

  For over twenty years, a brutal war has raged between Draconia and the allied forces of Necros, Voltaria, Zephyrias, the Grey Mountains, and Botanial. Now, after decades of bloodshed, devastating losses, and the diminishing of magical powers across the realms, a desire for peace has emerged among the six kingdoms.

  In pursuit of this peace, royalty, ambassadors, dignitaries, and emissaries from the warring lands have gathered at the White Monastery to negotiate a treaty. To seal the treaty, eight marriages will be arranged between Draconian royalty and the nobility of their former enemies.

  These unions will be conducted by the Monks of the Way of the Dove. Their ancient binding magic will ensure that these marriage contracts are unbreakable. Any attempt to violate the vows will result in madness, illness, or even death. Once all eight marriages are completed, the monks will create the treaty, binding the kingdoms to peace.

  One of the first of these arranged marriages was between Prince Luther of Draconia and Warden Onyx of the Grey Mountains. It was hate at first sight. But as they were forced to participate in various courtship rituals, attraction and unexpected feelings began to grow.

  However, not all wished for peace. Among them was Warden Onyx’s own uncle, Warden Flint, who betrayed his nephew in a bid to sabotage the treaty by attempting to kill both Onyx and Luther. Warden Flint’s true aim was to reignite the war, ensuring that the Grey Mountains would achieve complete and total victory over Draconia.

  Despite the assassination attempt, Luther and Onyx managed to defeat Warden Flint. Furthermore, after facing challenges together, Luther and Onyx found love. Still, all is not well. It has become clear that Warden Flint was not the only one conspiring to destroy the fragile peace.

  With more marriages still required to secure the treaty, the future remains uncertain. Will those forced into unions for the treaty find love and happiness? Or will they be condemned to lives of misery, bound to partners who bring them nothing but sorrow? And, in the end, can peace truly be achieved? Or will war return once again?

  Timeline Note

  This book begins during Courting the Dragon Prince, Book 1 in the A Royal Arrangement series.

  Chapter

  One

  Dragonfire boiled in Gerard’s belly, ready to spew forth and consume.

  I will destroy any enemy that dares set foot on my land.

  As the dragon warrior prince of Draconia, Gerard would defend his kingdom to his very last fiery breath.

  He angled his wings, swooping over the Ozer Mountains. His gaze glided over trees, crags, rocks, and cliffsides, scanning for any hint of a threat.

  Reports had come in from their scouts, stating that they’d found evidence, strange footprints, and the remains of campfires, within Draconia. Gerard growled. He and his sister, Senta, had flown out to investigate. She currently flew several miles to his east.

  This was their land. Their enemies should not be here! Especially not this far into Draconia. But perhaps enemy scouts or spies or assassins had been sent on some mission into their kingdom.

  Gerard stretched his claws, preparing to dive and strike at a moment’s notice. If he spotted anyone from Necros, Botanial, Voltaria, or Zephyria, he’d make sure they never left. Their ashes would remain in Draconia for eternity.

  He’d been flying for over an hour. So far, he had not seen anything of note. The setting sunbathed the landscape in a soft golden light. He circled back, scouring the mountains for remnants of anything showing that the enemy had been here.

  A flock of birds chattered amongst the branches of a pine tree. Dark feathers fluttered as they darted to and fro. Goats grazed on the flat grass at the top of a mountain. They scattered as he approached, kicking up their heels and dashing to hide amongst the brush.

  But they had no reason to fear Gerard. He was searching for different prey.

  Movement in the corner of his eye caught his attention. He swung his neck. His eyes narrowed.

  An individual in robes stood near some trees at the base of a massive cliff. They lifted their head, gazing straight at Gerard. A white mask with gold zigzags hid their face. Gerard’s eyes narrowed.

  Was this a lightning sorcerer?

  If it was, it was unlike any he had seen before. Usually, they wore black robes. But this sorcerer wore robes of the deepest, richest blue. And the mask … He’d never seen a lightning sorcerer with a mask. But those zigzags definitely suggested lighting.

  Every muscle in Gerard’s body tensed. He bared his teeth. He snarled.

  But if this was a lightning sorcerer, why were they alone?

  Gerard’s gaze darted around. Lightning sorcerers always worked in groups, in cells. Always. A single sorcerer was weak. Their powers erratic and uncontrolled. They never worked alon
e. But Gerard could see no others.

  Well, I can easily take one lone lightning sorcerer.

  He dipped his wings, angling towards the solitary individual. He focused on the heat at his core. It gurgled in his belly as he flew towards the fool who had dared to invade his land.

  But the sorcerer didn’t flinch or flee as Gerard expected. They lifted their arms and began to sign. Their hands glowed and flashed. Light danced along their weaving fingers.

  Gerard huffed. Do they truly think they are a match for me?

  He’d been in battles with lightning sorcerers before. They’d hurt and injured him. But it was always a cell of sorcerers.

  What can one pathetic Voltarian lightning sorcerer do against me, the mighty dragon warrior prince?

  Gerard dove, body vibrating. He opened his mouth wide, about to reduce this Voltarian to charred bones. The sorcerer flicked their hands forward, straight at Gerard. Lightning split the air, zigzagging towards him.

  How can a lightning sorcerer cast so fast?

  But before he could react, pain exploded in Gerard’s chest. His heart spasmed. A roar tore from his clenching throat. His wings and muscles convulsed, completely beyond his control as the lightning singed his nerves. He strained, flapping his wings.

  The sky and earth swirled and blurred around him as he tumbled through the air. And as he began to right himself, he tried to look towards the lightning sorcerer. He caught sight of them. Their fingers glowed. They wove their magic once again.

  Body still screaming, he angled himself towards the sorcerer, needing to kill the individual before they attacked Gerard once more.

  But the sorcerer’s fingers jabbed in his direction. Lightning bolted towards him. It struck the right side of Gerard’s face.

  Agony exploded through his skull. White light consumed his vision. The sky and earth disappeared completely. Gerard bellowed. His body flailed and jerked, the lightning wrenching control of Gerard’s own body from him once more.

  He smashed against something hard and jagged. A broken cry escaped him. The cliff face beat and tore his already wounded scales. Rock crumbled and gave with the force of the impact.

  Blinded now, he beat his wings as best he could, trying to get away. But he couldn’t see, and he could barely fly. He tensed as he flapped, waiting for another lightning strike. For more scorching pain.

  None came.

  He crashed into the trees and earth. They battered his damaged body. He lay on the ground. He tried to rise. Tried to move. But he couldn’t.

  He lay, body twitching as the lightning faded from his system. He closed his unseeing eyes, still trying to comprehend how a single lightning sorcerer could take down the dragon warrior prince.

  And before unconsciousness took him, he thought of the falling rocks from the crumbling cliff face he had smashed into. They must have crushed and buried the lightning sorcerer. Otherwise, why would they have stopped attacking?

  At least I killed him too.

  Chapter

  Two

  Two years later

  Gerard landed in the courtyard of the White Monastery, tucking his wings against his body. A second later, Senta set down beside him.

  Gerard closed his eyes and took a deep breath, focusing on an image of himself as human. The shift took him. His neck pulled in. Limbs contorted. Dragon scales became soft skin. His tail retracted and disappeared completely.

  He took a deep breath, taking a second to settle into his human form.

  Two servants strode forward, handing him and Senta the clothing they had worn before they’d shifted and gone out for their usual pre-dawn flight. The two silently and quickly dressed. Lastly, Gerard put his black eye patch over his right eye.

  They turned and strode into the upper part of the White Monastery.

  “I needed that.” Senta rolled her shoulders. “After last night, I had some tension to work out.”

  “Me too,” Gerard said.

  They walked along the corridor, passing servants and monks.

  “I still can’t believe how Luther behaved last night,” Senta said.

  Gerard exhaled. “I wish I could say I was surprised. But he has never taken duty seriously.”

  “You’re right. But what a way to act when your betrothal is announced!” Senta’s lip curled. “It’s one thing to be displeased about who you are going to marry, it’s another thing entirely to get publicly and very obviously drunk and then stumble around! He disgraced our family! He disgraced Draconia!”

  “Warden Flint didn’t seem happy with his betrothed either,” Gerard pointed out. “But at least he knew how to act about it. He just glowered with disapproval at Luther⁠—”

  “Which we also did last night,” Senta interjected.

  Gerard nodded. “And neither we nor Warden Onyx caused a scene.”

  She sighed. “I know he is our brother. But fire and fucking flames! He needs to learn how to behave! I’ll act better when my betrothal is announced.”

  “Even if you hate them?” Gerard asked, even though he already knew the answer.

  “Of course! And don’t pretend you won’t conduct yourself properly as well.” She shook her head. “What was Luther thinking?”

  Gerard didn’t respond. He didn’t need to. He and his sister, whether from their joint training or from their shared blood, tended to agree on most things. They believed in duty and doing what was best for Draconia, even if that meant shoving aside their own wishes.

  Right now, that meant that he and Senta, as well as their brothers, Luther and Konrad, must marry their recent enemies in order to forge a peace treaty.

  Of course they did not wish to marry those they had recently been trying to kill. But he and Senta understood the need for peace. The war had caused so much destruction and had greatly weakened Draconia. It had to end.

  Gerard had fought, bled, lost half his eyesight, and almost died for Draconia. Now he’d marry for it.

  They strode towards the rooms provided for the royal family of Draconia in the White Monastery. It was here at the White Monastery where individuals from the different kingdoms had gathered to create the peace treaty to end the war that had raged for twenty years.

  Their cousin Albert walked down the corridor in their direction, alongside Lady Elke, a minor lady from Draconia.

  “Cousins.” Albert nodded at them in greeting.

  “Your Highnesses.” The lady bowed.

  “Morning,” Senta said.

  Gerard inclined his head as they passed.

  Lady Elke glanced at Gerard’s face. Then quickly looked away. But Albert’s gaze lingered, scanning Gerard’s scars.

  Gerard’s jaw clenched. But he kept his head high, refusing to let anyone make him lower his head in shame. As they walked away, he heard his cousin and Lady Elke whisper but couldn’t make out their words. His shoulders tensed.

  Are they talking about me? My face?

  “I wonder when Father will decide who we will marry,” Senta said, clearly not giving their cousin or the lady a second thought. “I wonder who we will marry.”

  Gerard forced himself to focus his attention on her and her words. “I doubt Father will consult us much on the topic.”

  Honestly, Gerard didn’t have a real preference. He had briefly met several of those who might be considered. But he had no inkling if he wanted to marry any of them.

  Gerard just hoped they would behave with dignity. And he hoped they would not find his appearance … repulsive. He adjusted his eye patch.

  Whilst he’d been temporarily blinded in both eyes, the left had recovered. The right had not. He also still bore the scars of the lightning strikes that had hit him. Scars caused by lightning sorcerers were so distinct that everyone who saw him would immediately know what a Voltarian had done to him.

  “He will no doubt marry us to high-born individuals. No minor lords or ladies for his children,” Gerard said.

  “And he won’t marry you, me, or Konrad to an heir of another kingdom. The three of us need to remain in Draconia.”

  Gerard, the dragon warrior prince, would one day be grand dragon warrior and be in charge of the Draconian military. Currently his aunt had that role.

  Meanwhile, Senta was his spare. If something happened to him, she’d take on the role instead. If Gerard didn’t die, she would be his second in command. And since Konrad was the crown prince and heir to the throne, all three needed to remain within Draconia.