When Shadows Seek Light

Chapter 23

The fight

The last two weeks were just like any other in Oscuro. People went about their business with fake smiles plastered on their faces. Bodies, absent of feeling and thought of their own, moved through streets like the sea moves through every crack of sand on the ocean floor. The steady push and pull of monotone movement, that never came nor went.

What they did during the day baffled Matthias as he watched them from his balcony. Here, loyalty was non-existent. Brother turned on brother for a coin or a favour. Business owners would smile amiably while swindling the coin from your purse. Every person here was on their own, and trust was a fool’s game.

He moved from his viewing platform and headed inside. His mind and body were restless, ever since Adalia showed up at the cabin. She’d come like an answer to a prayer he didn’t know he’d asked for.

A smile graced his face at the thought of her. During the month of her absence, she’d grown even more beautiful—if that was even possible. It wasn’t just her beauty, though. The way she carried herself with such confidence and kindness brought him to his knees. He could weep at how authority, power, compassion, and truth all pulled together to embody a pillar of undivided strength and beauty. And not once had she displayed a bitter side to her character. In her he’d found a friend, a saviour, and a muse. He could sing forever, write forever, and never capture his adoration in its entirety. His heart beat for only her.

But his father had abused her, physically and verbally. Surely she held some resentment towards all of them? To him?

Heading towards the kitchen, Matthias pondered his next move. He’d been playing the apologetic and doting son, doing whatever it took to keep the eye of his father on him and not her—it was working. The king was slowly paying less and less attention to him and diverting back onto his ever existing plan to take over the world and diminish the light.

Would his father always be this way?

A smell from the kitchen met him in the hallway and he scrunched his nose.

Entering the room, he surveyed many cooks and servants bustling about, red faced and damp hair from the humidity hanging in the air. A large, full pig was roasting on the fire. A lean female sat on a stool near the hearth and turned a thick wooden handle, slowly rotating the animal’s body, cooking it evenly.

Matthias squinted, and his lips formed a thin line. A roasted pig? That could only mean one thing—fight night. Once a month the king held a fight night between his fittest and finest warriors, a match to unconsciousness or even death.

Matthias hated it.

The king revelled in it.

Maybe tonight was a good night to make himself scarce, once and for all. Sure, he loved a fight, but the last thing he needed was someone goading him while his father watched on. For Matthias, fighting was a form of therapy, an escape. A place where he was seen as not just his father’s son, but when the king held these scenes of bloody chaos, it was more punishment than a sport.

Minimal sets of eyes looked up as he walked in, and none bothered to acknowledge him. Matthias moved to a small room to the right of the kitchen, the cold room. Selecting a few different cheese types and some cured meats, he placed them on a wooden board. Then he found some grapes and a few deep purple plums. After placing them on his platter, he left and moved to the massive, square wooden table that sat in the centre of the room, covered with food. Fresh bread had been baked this morning, and it was really the only thing in this entire kingdom that was reasonable to eat. After putting a small loaf on his board, he turned and left, heading back to his room. The only place that offered some sort of solitude.

He ate quietly on the balcony. The sun tried to warm him, but its rays lacked strength. Only in Oscuro, though—it shone with force inside the other realms. Until this moment, he’d never noticed before. After living for one hundred and nine years inside Oscuro, how was he to know the difference? But now that he did, it was uncanny.

Glancing down at his hands, Matthias realised what he needed to numb this ache inside his soul.

Placing the rest of his unfinished food down on the table inside his room, Matthias pulled his shirt effortlessly over his head and dropped it to the floor. Standing in front of his full-length mirror, he surveyed his upper torso and back. Yes, there was definitely more real estate he could use.

He dressed, checked the lock on his door was secure before he winnowed away.

The studio was wedged between two larger buildings on the outskirts of town and dimly lit as he opened the front door and stepped inside. A small blonde-headed woman looked up at him beneath her red-rimmed glasses and smiled. “Long time no see Prince,” she greeted him.

“Hello Abby.” He grinned.

“Time for some ink?” She smiled at him.

Matthias nodded. “It’s been too long. Do you have time for me?”

The petite blonde stood and motioned towards the back of the studio. “I always have time for the prince.” She pulled the black curtain to the side and Matthias stepped through. Her back room was filled with low lighting and house plants. The greenery muted against the dark furniture and absence of bright light. A tall brass lamp stood beside the black leather chair, casting a golden glow upon the seat. The smell of the room was welcome to Matthias, a burning candle—cinnamon, oak and leather. The other smell, green soap with undertones of whiskey and smoke.

Matthias sat and removed his shirt.

“Do you know what design you want done or do you want me to just freehand it?”

Leaning forwards Matthias pulled the concealed dagger from behind his back and lay it on the arm of the chair. “This is your subject and I would like to put it here.” He pointed to the slim section of uninked skin on the inside of his upper right bicep.

Abby nodded and started preparing her workstation. Needles, little cups of black ink, gloves, and cloth to wipe away the blood she would draw.

Matthias sat back and closed his eyes, allowing the experience to envelop him until there was nothing but sound and scratching. He didn’t even bother looking at Abby as she sat hunched over his body; he knew she would work her magic and the design would be perfect.

Minutes ticked by and turned into hours. Abby worked in silence, and that’s just how Matthias liked it. There was no need for conversation here, the work being done spoke for itself.

“Finished,” Abby said as she wiped the surface of his skin with a paper cloth.

The dark prince viewed her work and smiled. It was a replica of the dagger Adalia had made him, complete with wording too. “Thanks Abby, it’s perfect.”

The blonde smiled at him and reached for the clear wrap to place around the fresh design, protecting it from the elements of Oscuro. “Don’t get it wet for a few days and definitely don’t scratch it as it heals. You know the drill.”

Matthias nodded as he rose from the chair. He fixed his trousers and rolled his shirt sleeve back down. Reaching into his pants pocket, he gathered a handful of gold coins and placed them in Abby’s open palm. “As always, it’s a pleasure.”

Abby sent him a half smile. “Don’t leave it so long next time, prince.”

“I’ll try my best.” Matthias winked at the girl before leaving the studio.

The afternoon sun was dipping, and the streets were filling with nightlife—if one could call it that. It was more like hectic madness filled with over stimulated bodies of people who didn’t know what to do with themselves.

Matthias headed towards a dark alleyway and once he’d made sure it was empty, he winnowed to the palace.

Matthias spent the rest of his afternoon in the confines of his room. No one ever bothered him there, not even Jes—not since their last encounter, anyway. She’d been avoiding him like the plague. Matthias wanted to stay right where he was, but dinner would be served soon and if he didn’t show, his father would just send someone to drag him there, anyway.

Sighing, he placed his instrument down and closed his eyes for a moment, preparing himself for an evening of what Matthias would call ‘pure torture’. Mossy brown eyes filled his mind, and he smiled to himself. At least being here kept her safe.

If he had to stay in Oscuro forever to keep it that way . . . he’d do it. If his father ever got his hands on Adalia again, he would be here to save her.

The dinner gong sounded through the palace, and Matthias ran a hand through his hair. Time to face the music.

“Stay here, boy.” He motioned to Bones, who lifted his head as Matthias moved to the door.

The halls were quiet as he walked. He could do this, have dinner, pretend you’re enjoying yourself and leave before the fighting starts.

“Entering the fight tonight, prince?” a pitiful voice taunted from behind him. “I was thinking I might.”

Turning, Matthias came face to face with Snake.

“Why must you follow me wherever I go? Do you like it when you are referred to as a dog?” the prince sneered.

“At least I’m obedient to my master.”

“Of course you are, because you have no brain to think for yourself.” Matthias folded his arms across his chest.

Snake grinned, but ignored his remark, his empty yellow eyes travelling over the dark prince. “How’s that delightful creature of yours you’ve been hiding away?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“What was her name again? . . Adalia,” Snake purred.

The way her name rolled off Snake’s tongue had Matthias’s stomach in knots. “You keep her name out of your filthy mouth,” he growled.

Snake laughed. “But oh what fun my mouth and her could have, Matthias. Think of all the places my lips could touch . . .”

He’d heard enough. Matthias grabbed the front of Snake’s jacket and yanked on him, so he was mere inches away. “If you ever lay a single finger on her, I will make it my personal vendetta to break every bone in your pathetic body. Are we clear? Now get out of my way.”

Snake laughed in Matthias’s face. “Now, those sound like fighting words.”

Matthias shoved the male from his grip and strode off towards the dining room, not wanting to waste another moment in his presence.

“You didn’t answer my question before?” Snake called after him.

Matthias halted and turned to face the advisor. “As much as I would love to see you suffer, I can’t be bothered tonight. So I guess my answer is no.”

Leaving Snake in the hall, Matthias continued his journey.

The room was almost full. It appeared his father had invited nearly the entire kingdom to join him. Most likely to have a large audience for the fights later.

The prince seated himself and filled his plate with food, only taking small amounts. He’d lost his appetite upon meeting Snake in the hallway. Music sounded through the room as his father began the beginning of the meal. Males and females of all shapes and sizes moved about the space, either dancing, eating, or laughing.

Matthias summoned for a Thorn to bring him more wine. The female scurried over and filled his cup with the deep red liquid and returned to her place against the stone wall. Her act reminded him of Adalia’s time in this place, and it brought an ache to his chest. The evening proceeded along and the prince counted down the minutes silently until he could leave. Everyone was getting drunker with each passing second, and Matthias watched on with satisfaction.

A bell rang through the kingdom and the entire room fell silent, all eyes on the king.

Time froze, and no one dared to breathe.

Matthias waited for the eruption to come. It had been a few weeks since the last bell rang for Lucius and when it had, his father had gone mental. His episodes lately were getting out of hand.

“To the pits . . .” The king shoved his plate of food in front of him. “NOW,” he roared.

Every single able-bodied person scattered from the room like chickens without heads. Matthias smirked; it was quite the entertainment.

“You too, boy,” his father thundered.

“Must I father? I’d much rather retire for the even—”

“Don’t you dare defy me. I said to the pits . . . now move.”

Matthias sighed, but rose from his chair. This evening was not going to plan at all. Maybe leaving once the fight had started would be a better idea.

The crowd moved down to the lower regions of the castle, where there was a large round room that held tiered seating all around the sides, perfect for viewing entertainment in the centre ring. This place had seen more than its share of death and destruction by the hand of his father. The prince seated himself beside the king. The thrones here were carved from large boulders of black obsidian. Hopefully, after a fight or two, his father would be satisfied and everyone could bugger off to their homes. Then Matthias could winnow out to the cabin for some peace and quiet.

The crowds chanted for fighters to enter the ring. Usually chosen by name picking from a hat. The winner was given a place of honour at the king’s table alongside a gaggle of eager females to tend to their wounds, at the very least.

Movement to his left caught his eye, and Matthias watched Snake slither in through the doorway. One day, he’d like to see someone take on Snake in a fight, and he hoped they would put him in his place once and for all. It wouldn’t be a simple task. Snake wasn’t a frequent fighter, but the times he did proved that he was skilled with his hands.

His father motioned for the fight to begin and two large soldiers entered the ring, both shirtless and armed with only their bare hands as weapons. They both took their stance and circled each other, one lurching forwards signalling the start, with a blow to his opponent’s jaw.

Matthias closed his eyes and imagined he was alone, in a cabin, in the woods.

Time passed quickly. With all the yelling and constant moving, there was always something or someone to watch. Fights like these could go on for hours though—lucky for Matthias, they were already three fights deep into the evening and the night would soon be over.

One opponent in the ring fell to the ground, unconscious, and dragged out as the bell rang. The winner was crowned victor. The noise from the crowd turned into inaudible murmurs as they waited for the next duo to be chosen.

“I challenge the prince to fight me!” A voice shouted above the hum.

Matthias sat up straight and skimmed the crowd, searching for the one who dared to challenge him. He met the eyes of Snake, and his blood boiled. The male stared him down with a smirk plastered across his face. Glancing at his father in hopes he would deny the challenge, but who was he kidding? . . as if his father cared.

The room chanted once again.

“THE SNAKE AND THE PRINCE, THE SNAKE AND THE PRINCE!”

Snake smirked as he waited for Matthias to respond.

There was no way he was going to back down from this. If anyone was going to put this piece of filth in his place . . . it was going to be him.

Matthias rose from his chair and removed his shirt. The crowd stood to their feet and roared. Snake grinned and threw his shirt to the floor as well.

The prince signalled for a Thorn to bring him some cloth to wrap around his knuckles.

Snake did the same.

As they entered the ring, Matthias took in a deep breath. He’d been fighting for many years, but never once had he stood before the king’s advisor.

Snake took his stance, his toned and muscular body glowing under the low lights.

Matthias, who towered over most with eyes like the icy abyss, scowled at Snake, whose yellow eyes were equally imposing. Tonight, fate had brought them together for a duel that would be etched in the kingdom’s history.

His heart raced as the fight unfolded before him. His initial calmness had given way to a primal surge of adrenaline.

Snake lunged forwards, his cunning fists aiming to crush Matthias’s defences. But Matthias was swift and agile, dancing out of reach, grateful for the times he’d spent training in the woods with Bones, which aided in his agility.

The crowd roared as the pair danced across the floor. Snake’s foot slipped on the dusty stone ground. Matthias saw his opening and struck with a lightning-fast jab to Snake’s abdomen, knocking the wind out of him. Snake staggered back, wheezing for breath. Sensing an advantage, Matthias pressed the attack, a flurry of well-placed punches and kicks raining down on his opponent. The prince grinned, pleased with his efforts.

A fleeting thought of Adalia crossed Matthias’s mind, and he was grateful she wasn’t around to witness this. It was hard enough having his father watching.

The slight lapse in concentration allowed Snake the upper hand, and Matthias caught a sharp blow to the corner of his mouth and jaw, splitting the skin instantly. Blood sprang forth, and he tasted it on his tongue, the warm sensation drawing a low growl from his lips.

The dark prince threw a fist forwards, attempting to land a devastating blow, but Snake ducked gracefully, his yellow eyes never leaving his opponent’s. Yet, the prince was relentless. He charged back with renewed vigour, his eyes burning with determination. Snake met him head-on, his arm reaching out to encircle Matthias around his neck. Whipping the prince’s body around so his back was pushed up against the sweaty, warm skin of Snake’s chest.

“Right now I’m imagining a certain brunette in this position and I’m envisioning all the delicious things I’m going to do to her once I get my hands on her,” Snake whispered into Matthias’s ear. “I can’t wait to hear her scream my name.”

Snake ran the tip of his warm wet tongue over the prince’s ear as he chuckled, and in that moment Matthias snapped. Flaring his wings and throwing his arms wide, he knocked the advisor from his back, sending Snake sprawling onto the ground.

Turning, he lunged at the male, fists ready to strike. Snake rolled out of the way with seconds to spare, jumping to his feet to face the prince. Fury poured from Matthias’s skin as he lunged for the advisor again, clipping his shoulder, causing Snake to stumble.

The prince glared at the advisor. He was so done with this place, this creature before him, and the one on the throne who did nothing but watch with amusement written on his face.

As the crowds’ chants and cheering grew louder, their fight intensified. They were no longer two men battling for victory, but forces of nature colliding. Their grunts and roars filled the air, merging with the sound of fists against flesh and pounding feet against stoney ground.

Matthias knew he was wearing Snake down, his opponent’s movements becoming less sharp or focused. Finally, in a moment of divine timing, he found an opening. With a lightning-quick manoeuvre, he landed a final blow to Snake’s jaw and sent him flying across the room. Snake’s body hit the wall with a loud thud and dropped to the ground in a crumpled heap—his wings bent in ways they shouldn’t. The room fell silent as someone rushed to the blond man’s side.

“He lives.”

The crowd roared as they announced Matthias as the winner.

With his chest heaving, he sauntered towards his throne and eyed his father, sweat pouring from his brow. “I’ll be leaving now.”

The king, who seemed to be at a loss for words, didn’t stop him, so Matthias took his shirt and left the room. Only time would tell how this win would play out. If Snake had any sense, he would back off and leave Matthias be, but there was still a high chance that this victory would only piss him off even more. For now, it was Matthias’s victory and his alone and boy did it feel good.

It was now that he let himself feel every blow. Snake might be . . . a snake, but he still had a bite.

Matthias’s arm ached, and he looked down at the wrapped section. It was bloody and weeping. He needed to clean it before it got infected. There was no time for walking, so he winnowed into his room.

Bones softly growled at his master’s sudden appearance, but hastened to his side when he recognised him. The wolf licked his hand and gently nuzzled his leg. “I’m okay, boy,” Matthias spoke softly as he stroked the thick white fur of his furry companion.

Moving to the washroom, he filled the tub with warm water before unwrapping the thin white cloth bound over his knuckles. Faint red stains grew larger with each layer he unbound. Tendrils of fabric fell to the floor in a crumpled heap and Matthias stretched out his hands. Even with them bound throughout the fight, it hadn’t been enough to protect his skin. Stepping into the tub, he sat and let himself sink beneath the water.

His mind wandered over the evening’s events as he lay submerged. Not that he couldn’t handle Snake or his father anymore, it was simply that he didn’t want to. If he was being honest with himself, how was staying here keeping Adalia safe?

The thought of not being worthy of her love still rang true, but staying here in Oscuro, playing the role of obedient son, wasn’t really keeping her safe anymore than being with her in Lucius was.

No matter where he went, she wasn’t safe—so why stay in Oscuro? Having her near, as a friend, was better than not having her at all.

He sat up and let the water rush over his skin. Reaching for a small cloth, he gently wiped it over his new tattoo. If Abby knew what he was doing right now, she would have his head served up on a silver platter, but he needed to clean it. Water was better than letting it fester.

Matthias washed his body with his favourite coconut soap, removing as much evidence of the fight as he could. Though the bruising on his hands and torso may take some time to heal. When he was satisfied, Matthias emerged from the tub and dried himself off before resealing his new tattoo with some clear wrapping. Grabbing some fresh clothing from his cupboard, he changed into black pants and a button-up shirt with rolled sleeves to the elbow.

Adrenaline was still pumping through Matthias’s veins and he felt lost, not knowing where to go and what to do with himself. Sighing, he reached for his secret keeper and his veslo before perching himself on the edge of his bed. Maybe some comfort music would help his mind to mentally land—instead of the fight-or-flight mode he was currently stuck in.

Turning to the last page he’d written on in his book, he reached for the pen on the table beside his bed. His eyes skittered across the page and that’s when he noticed a new handwriting, words that were not his own, sprawled across a page.

You are kind and brave. Clever and creative.

And fine, I’ll admit—handsome. You are desired. You are worthy.

And you will always be enough. Come back to me.

A xx

Raw emotion had his mind in a chokehold.

Did he dare to believe the words written on the page before him? Could he hope for one moment? That truth was yelling at him and all he needed to do was allow the words into his soul and never let them go?

How did this woman seep her way into the very cracks of his fractured being and fill it with a feeling his body longed for?

Was he allowed to hope for a future brighter than the one that currently loomed before him? Was he allowed to believe that maybe—just maybe—someone found him lovable?

Thoughts of Adalia and her home in Lucius came rushing in and he knew within moments what he wanted to do. He’d never attempted winnowing long distance before, but there was a first for everything, right? He fixed his appearance in the full-length mirror and told Bones to stay put. “I’ll be back shortly; I just want to try something.”

Matthias made sure his bedroom door lock was secure, took in a deep breath, closed his eyes, pictured Lucius, and winnowed.

Vanilla and Blackberry scent slapped Matthias in the face as he opened his eyes, one at a time. Looking around the room, he was shocked to find it had actually worked. He was standing in Adalia’s bedroom in the kingdom of Lucius. The house was quiet, but he could hear movement and the sound of water coming from her bathroom.

Matthias stood with hands on hips for a moment, pondering on what to do. He knew if he just stayed in her room when she emerged, she would be petrified to find him there. It didn’t feel right to just be in her room without her permission, but he also knew just being in the house could freak her out, too. Maybe he could use the front door?

Before he started spiralling down into the deep unknown, he did the first thing that came to his mind and he winnowed back to his room.

Grinning from ear to ear, the prince ran his hands through his hair and raised his brow at Bones. “Boy, we just got a one-way ticket out of here.”

Matthias moved swiftly throughout his room, gathering a few items of importance. He shoved as many clothes as he could fit into a bag and retrieved his secret keeper and veslo from his desk. Once he had everything he needed, he looked at the wolf and winked. “Ready to go for a ride?”

Bones whimpered. Matthias placed the bag over a shoulder and scooped the wolf up in his arms, forgetting just how heavy he was. “Remind me to put you on a diet. You’re getting too fat.”

The prince closed his eyes and within seconds was standing inside Adalia’s room again. He could have used the front door, but who was he kidding? He wanted to be in the very room she was in—she could scold him after the surprise.

Placing the wolf down as quietly as possible, Matthias motioned for him to go and sit by the window. After putting his bag down on the floor by the chair, he sat and pulled his veslo from it, and strummed a gentle tune.

All went quiet in the bathroom for a small amount of time, but the prince grinned when the door slowly cracked open and Adalia emerged, dressed only in a pale green silk nightgown that reached just above her knees. His chest tightened at the sight. She stood there, frozen to the spot, so Matthias put his stringed instrument on the floor and stood slowly.

“Hey, little dove,” he softly spoke.

It was all he needed to say before she was running across the room and throwing herself into his arms. Matthias caught her and pulled her tightly against his chest, one arm around her waist and the other cradling the back of her head. They stood like this; her legs wrapped around his waist for what felt like an eternity. Adalia still hadn’t said a word as she pulled back and placed her warm hands on either side of Matthias’s face. Leaning in, she claimed his lips with her own, in a devouring kiss.

The prince grinned against her mouth, and Adalia quietly sighed as his tongue explored hers. She tasted like the first light of dawn touching dew drops on the petals of sweet flowers. Adalia wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in as tight as she could. If she was going to continue kissing him like this, he knew his knees would give way, so he carried her to the bed.

As he did, she started pulling at the hem of his shirt, never once breaking contact with his lips. It was Matthias’s turn to moan, feeling the featherlight touch of her fingertips against his skin was like torture . . . but the good kind.

Breaking the kiss, Matthias placed Adalia on the edge of her bed and pulled his shirt free from his body. She shifted herself backwards as he crawled towards her, the steady beat inside his chest a constant reminder of how she made him feel. Lilac wings pressed up against the headboard and her damp hair fell around her in waves.

The sight brought heat to his core.

As he reached her, he stayed on all fours, hovering above her. With arms and legs on either side of her body, he gazed at her with his grey-blue eyes. Deep, Adalia matched his stare, and it brought a boyish grin to his face.

Adalia shuffled down the bed so she was lying on her back—looking up at him.

Unable to resist the invitation in her gaze, Matthias stretched his legs out, one nestled between hers and one of hers nestled between his.

Reaching up both hands, Adalia wrapped them around the back of his neck and pulled him towards her. Matthias leaned in and claimed her mouth once again.

The kiss was deeper this time, not as feverish, both taking their time in tasting one another with each and every touch. Adalia raked her fingernails firmly up and down Matthias’s back, not hard enough to break the skin. The prince buried one hand in her brown hair at the back of her head while the other traced lazy lines up and down her ribs, fingers skimming over the silk fabric of her nightgown.

Pulling back, Matthias caught his breath as he took in the woman before him, her face flushed and lips swollen. “Well, that’s one way to be welcomed back.” He grinned.

“Do you often frequent ladies’ bedrooms without their knowledge and try to seduce them with your tender serenade?” Adalia teased, her breath coming in short gasps.

“Only yours.” Matthias flashed her a smile. “I’m sorry I turned up unannounced. I’ve never winnowed so far before and I didn’t think it would work.”

Adalia’s brow lifted in surprise. “I didn’t even know you could do that. What else are you hiding from me?

“The only gift for being a Prince of Darkness . . . but don’t tell anyone, or I’ll have to punish you,” Matthias softly growled as he sprinkled feather light kisses over her face.

Adalia giggled.

The way she looked at him brought a grin to his face. “Sorry it took me so long.”

“Don’t apologise. Just promise me you are staying this time?” Adalia whispered as Matthias placed his forehead on hers.

“I’m not going anywhere, little dove. I will stay for as long as you’ll have me.”

She grinned and rolled out from underneath Matthias, knocking his arm gently so he fell against her bed and with ease, she flipped them. Straddling his hips, she placed both hands placed upon his chest.

“I want you to stay forever,” Adalia softly murmured.

Matthias was mesmerised by her voice. Sitting up, he used one arm for support and the other tucked a small tendril of hair behind Adalia’s ear. “Then I will stay forever,” he said as his wings curled around them both and trapped them in a soft, feathery cocoon.

Adalia leant forwards and placed a single kiss on Matthias’s forehead. Then she trailed light ones all over his face, from his eyelids to the nape of his neck. “Care to explain the busted lip and bruising on your face?”

Small bumps prickled his skin and Matthias struggled to keep his eyes open from the pleasure of her touch.

This woman was going to be the death of him.

Taking one of his hands in hers, Adalia studied it. “And what happened to your knuckles?”

Matthias pulled his hand away a little, but she held on firmly.

“It wasn’t my choice, but it was fight night at the palace tonight, and Snake challenged me.”

“That piece of trash,” Adalia huffed with a scrunched brow. “Please tell me he didn’t win?”

Matthias chuckled at her response. “He probably feels like trash right now, but no, he didn’t win.”

Grinning, Adalia resumed her task of covering the prince’s face in soft kisses.

He nuzzled her back before pulling away, and her brows furrowed.

“Stop me from kissing you one more time, sir, and we’re going to have words.” Adalia half- teased, half-threatened. “You better not be leaving.”

The prince chuckled. “I have no plans of going anywhere; I want to do this properly.”

“What do you mean, properly?”

“I just mean I want to court you. I want to know everything about you. I want to walk down the street holding your hand. I want to kiss you goodnight on the doorstep of your home,” the prince answered as he nipped at her jaw with his lips.

Adalia smiled and ran her hands through his hair. “Well, if you want to take it slow, you’d better go sit on the other side of the room, because I want to do things with you right now that are definitely not slow.”

Matthias laughed and pulled Adalia closer. “Let’s just lay here and do our best to behave.”

“I take it you finally got my message? Is that why you’re here?” Adalia whispered softly.

“Do you actually mean the words you wrote?”

“Every single one of them.”

Nuzzling her neck, Matthias breathed her in. “Then yes, that is why I’m here. I am finding it very, very difficult to stay away from you.”

“Then don’t.”

Hearing her confirm that the words she’d secretly left for him to find were true, the heart inside of his chest swelled in a way that almost caused pain. It was as if, over time, it had turned to dust and each loving word she spoke to him, each kind gesture, each laugh that escaped her lips, watered it, and it was blossoming into something new.

Reaching one hand out, Matthias cupped her face and leaned closer to place a tender kiss on Adalia’s lips. She sighed against his mouth, black feathered wings twitching as his trousers became tighter. The silk fabric of her nightgown brushed across his bare chest as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. Feeling her soft breasts pushed up against his skin confirmed that her arousal was just as real as his.

Trailing a hand down her side, over her hip and across her thigh, Matthias gently pulled it so her leg lay over his. The nightgown, slipping up towards her waist, revealed her smooth honey coloured backside and the princes’ feather light fingers traced gentle patterns over it.

“If you keep doing that, things are going to get very heated—very quickly,” Adalia whispered against his mouth.

Matthias grinned and gently pulled the hem of her nightie back over her hips. “Shall I go and sit in the chair?”

“Don’t you dare think about leaving this bed,” Adalia giggled as she lay her head against his arm. A soft hiss from Matthias had her sitting right back up. “What happened? Are you okay?”

“I am totally fine. I just got a new tattoo today, and it’s quite tender,” the prince replied.

Adalia viewed it through the clear wrap, and Matthias sensed she was pleased with what she saw by the smile that skittered across her face.

“Do you like it?” he asked.

Adalia simply nodded as she held back tears. “It’s perfect.”

Matthias chuckled and patted the space beside him. “Come, lay beside me. I want to feel you close.”

Adalia lay back down, turned in towards his side and snuggled herself against his skin.

“Want to tell me about these tattoos?” she asked as she traced a finger over the black markings on his chest.

“I will tell you anything you want to know.”

“Tell me about this one.” Adalia pointed at the rose on the back of his hand.

Matthias shifted to his side so he could face her better. “That’s my favourite flower.”

“It looks like the black ones that grow near your home,” Adalia said.

Nodding, Matthias traced the outline of the rose on his hand. “They are the only flower to grow abundantly in Oscuro despite the lack of sun. It gave me hope that even beauty can grow in the shadows.”

Adalia smiled. “We should plant some roses for you here, too.”

“I would like that very much.”

Adalia traced another with her fingertip. “And what about this one with the red hair?”

“That’s a faerie.”

“You believe in faeries?”

“This one I do. I saw this design in one of Abby’s books and I knew I needed it. There’s something about her that makes me feel like I could do anything if I wanted to. She gives me hope that there is more out there than just me.”

“You definitely can do anything you put your mind to. You might believe in her, but I believe in you.” Adalia smiled at him so sweetly that he couldn’t resist stealing a kiss from her soft lips.

“Thank you,” he replied.

“Now, who is Abby?” Adalia asked innocently.

The prince rolled onto his back. “She’s my tattoo lady…a friend.”

Adalia lay on her stomach—propped up on her elbows and eyed him warily. “As long as she isn’t another secret I should know about.”

Matthias chuckled. “Definitely not, little dove.”

Adalia sighed and rested her head against Matthias’s chest. “Will you stay with me here tonight?”

“Do you think we can behave?” he asked.

“I can’t make any promises, but I will do my best,” she answered cheekily, stifling a yawn.

The prince let out a deep chuckle and propped himself up on an elbow so he could see her better. “Sleep. I will be here when you wake.”

“Goodnight, beast.”

“Goodnight, little dove.”

Bones sighed in his sleep over by the bedroom window, and Matthias smiled . . . everything felt so right. There wasn’t one time in his life that he’d felt this amount of peace. There was no looking over his shoulder, no sleeping with one eye open. Tonight, his father and the Oscuro Kingdom simply did not exist.

Staring at the white ceiling above him, Matthias felt the warm breath from Adalia as she slept against his chest, and he smiled. She was the light his shadows sought and here, within her arms, truth was being born.