Chapter 34
The healing
The days after the battle were filled with healing for many. Not from the loss of loved ones, but from the trauma of battle itself. The king had brought every single lost Lightner back to life, and it had awed the entire army.
The prince settled into his new life inside the walls of Lucius and Adalia, spent every moment she could showing him around.
They both stood outside of Matthias’s new home and Adalia smiled as he unlocked the front door.
He had chosen a place not too far from Adalia’s, close to the ocean, but also backed onto a small forestry. It was a decent sized cabin made from a dark brown wood. The front door was lighter and housed a bronze, rose shaped door knocker in the centre.
It was sometimes still hard for Adalia to grasp that she’d nearly lost him to the grip of death twice. If it hadn’t been for the grace of her king, she wouldn’t be standing outside his home today, grinning from ear to ear as he explored his new abode with her.
Bones barked in happiness as Matthias ruffled the wolf’s fur. “Like it?”
“It’s so wonderful Matthias. So, parties at your house from now on?” Adalia bumped his arm with her shoulder in play.
The prince turned and gathered her in his arms, so that she was in front of him, her back nestled against his chest, with his chin resting on the top of her head. “We can host all the parties you like, little dove. As long as you promise that by evening’s end, I get to keep you all to myself,” he whispered against her hair.
“That is a promise I can definitely keep.” Adalia smiled at his words and turned in his arms to face him. “Now, can I please have the grand tour?”
Beautiful wooden furniture adorned the inside, filling it completely. A dark green couch sat in front of a cosy fireplace and the windows wore matching green curtains. Golden lights graced the ceilings and threw a warm glow across the room. A large rug lay on the floor with a rectangular wooden table on top, covered in books and a few candles that were emitting a caramel scent—a gift from Adalia.
The kitchen was small compared to Adalia’s, but it was inviting. As she brushed her fingers across the marble countertops, she smiled at the dark-green cabinets with their gold handles. The white walls complemented the wooden floors beautifully. Adalia loved the choices Matthias had made. This house wouldn’t just be a dwelling place, no . . . for Matthias, it would be a home. Somewhere he could truthfully be himself. He could write songs here, relax, and entertain friends.
“Oh, Matthias. It’s just incredible. I am so happy for you. You have a home that is all yours and no one can take from you,” Adalia sighed.
Matthias placed his hands in the pockets of his trousers and smiled. “Your king has been very kind to me.”
“He’s your king too.” Adalia looked at him lovingly.
“I’ll admit that I forget that. I’m so used to just taking care of myself that it might take some time remembering.”
Adalia walked towards Matthias and stood on tiptoes to place a light kiss against his lips. “We have all the time in the world,” she whispered.
The prince flashed her a boyish grin. “Hope you’re okay with that, because I don’t plan to go anywhere without you,” he said.
Adalia smiled. “I am more than okay with that.”
“Now, I want to make you a coffee in your new kitchen. Show me where you keep everything.”
Matthias happily showed her where he kept the cups. He only had a few, so Adalia made a mental note to take him shopping. She’d fill his kitchen to the brim with everything he would need, because she knew he wouldn’t be the only one using it.
After she’d made them a hot beverage, they sat at the table. A light breeze filled the room from an open window and the song of a pink breasted robin rode upon it. Adalia’s heart sighed at the prince before her. He was here, in Lucius with her—with no threats in sight.
“How’s your heart?” she murmured.
A glint of light flickered in Matthias’s eyes as he looked at her. “Full.”
The single word played on his lips, and Adalia wanted to brush her fingers over them.
“And what about your past? Oscuro? Now that you’re a lightener . . . any chance you’ll miss it?” Adalia asked.
Matthias nodded as he played with the handle on his mug. “No chance. I don’t need to go back there ever again. My father will never change, but I no longer need to be a part of that. My home is here with you. For as long as you’ll have me.”
Leaning across the table, Adalia gripped his hand in hers. “Which will be forever.”
Rising from the table, Adalia swayed into the kitchen again to look through the items in his pantry. Jars of preserved fruits, spices, and seasonings filled it. Turning her head to face him, she raised one of her eyebrows in a cheeky way. “We should host a small dinner tonight and invite Nik and Loh over.”
Matthias chuckled out loud at her excitement. “If you’re cooking, then I say yes. If it was me, you might want to order food in.”
Adalias’ eyes shone as she reached for a small notebook and pen to start a list of all the items she would need. Matthias watched from his place at the table.
In that moment, Adalia hoped that this was how it would be for the rest of time.
“There was a good amount of time that I thought you were gone for good, my friend,” Nikolas spoke as he sipped at the red liquid in his clear glass.
“Well, I was. I was definitely dead for a good minute there,” Matthias chuckled before taking another bite of his food.
Shiloh and Nikolas had been more than happy to join them for dinner upon the invitation and they’d brought red wine, roasted vanilla bean, macadamias, and a pavlova to share.
The conversation around the table had been a roller coaster of emotions. One minute, they were all laughing together over mundane things. The next tears fell from Adalia as she relived the scene of Matthias on the battlefield. They each expressed amazement at his change in wing colour and, though they wondered, none had any answers about the phenomenon.
Adalia had cooked an absolute feast. The table overflowed with mouthwatering dishes, such as honey roasted carrots, bacon wrapped asparagus, red wine braised short ribs, mashed sweet pumpkin, butter fried beans, and creamy garlic chicken that Matthias was devouring hungrily.
The pair had spent the afternoon in Matthias’s new kitchen and Adalia noted how quickly the prince picked up some valuable cooking skills.
“In all seriousness, though, we are very glad that you are still here with us, Matthias.” Nikolas spoke warmly.
Shiloh nodded in agreement. “If you didn’t come back from the dead, I would have had to deal with this one moping about for years on end,” she teased.
Adalia felt the heat rise into her cheeks. Matthias looked at her through his dark lashes, and she felt butterflies erupt inside her stomach.
“Yes, I would have been moping about because Bones would have needed a home and then I would have had to clean up a lifetime of dog hair in my house,” Adalia smirked as she sipped her wine.
One corner of the prince’s mouth rose and, as he smiled, the tiny crescent moon at the top of his cheek just below his eye crinkled.
The friends laughed and talked late into the night, sipping on wine and eating pavlova covered in fresh whipped cream, passionfruit pulp, raspberries and sliced mango. For Adalia, it had been the most wonderful and healing time for all of them, getting to know one another and starting their new normal life together.
Nikolas stretched his arms and yawned. “I think it’s time I call it a night. Thank you for a wonderful evening, Matthias. Your home is amazing.”
“You’re most welcome. I hope we can do this often,” Matthias offered Nikolas a smile.
“I will head home too, but do you want help with cleaning up before we go?” Shiloh offered.
“No, it’s more than fine. I will help Matthias.” Adalia smiled.
They all rose from the table and headed towards the front door. Shiloh grabbed her coat from the back of the green lounge and turned to hug Adalia before she left with Nikolas.
The prince closed the door behind them and leant against it. Adalia swallowed the lump that found its way into her throat. His dark eyes roamed over her figure and she knew if she stayed there, staring back at him, she might come undone again. Turning, she headed towards the table and started clearing it.
The pair quietly cleaned up the dishes.
Adalia spoke first. “Why did you say sorry?”
Matthias stopped stacking the plates and looked up at her from across the table. “What do you mean?”
“That day on the field . . .” Adalia’s voice trailed off.
“Because I was,” Matthias answered, his voice low.
“But what were you sorry for?”
Matthias sighed and strolled around the table, stopping when he reached her. “I was sorry for everything. I’m sorry that you had to experience what you did at the hands of my father. I’m sorry I didn’t step in sooner. I’m sorry I didn’t get to you on time on the battlefield, but most of all . . . I’m sorry I didn’t get to tell you just how much I love you.”
The last sentence came out in a whisper, and Adalia saw the prince’s eyes fill with tears. She placed the wine glasses she held in each hand down on the table and moved to his side, wrapping her arms around his neck as she pulled him close.
Tears spilled from her eyes as she wept into his chest, the scent of him filling her senses. His muscular arms wrapped around her small frame. If an outsider saw them right now, they would see two bodies who fit together perfectly, a bond that was unbreakable, and a love that would live through the ages.
Matthias pulled back and cupped her face in his hands, wiping at her tears with his thumb. “How can I apologise for all of this and put those tears back in your eyes?”
“First, you could kiss me, you big, beautiful beast. Second, you can never leave me again because I can’t breathe without you,” Adalia whispered, the tears threatening to spill again. “I love you, Matthias.”
The prince grinned and pulled her close again, his lips grazing hers in a light kiss. “I love you, Adalia, and I will kiss you for as long as you will let me.”
“Kiss me for the rest of your life,” Adalia teased.
“Gladly.”
In the soft glow of the dim candlelight, their longing gazes locked, and an unspoken connection pulsed between them. Mattias stepped closer, the intensity of the moment enveloping them. With a tenderness that denied his strength, he lifted her effortlessly onto the table. Her heart raced as their nearness grew.
Adalia’s fingers gripped the front of his black shirt, clutching it as if afraid the enchanting dream might vanish. Their eyes never left each other’s, a silent conversation passing between their souls as he ran his fingers through her cascading waves of long, chestnut-brown hair.
The world around them faded as their lips met, igniting a fire that had been smouldering between them for so long. Their tongues danced in a delicate rhythm, each movement deepening their bond.
A low moan vibrated through the prince as he melded against her, his lower body settling between her legs. A small cry escaped Adalia’s mouth as his teeth gently grazed her bottom lip, a passionate promise of the intensity to come.
Matthias’s kisses traced a tantalising path across her jaw, down her neck, and her fingers found comfort in his silky brown hair as he did. Each touch was a declaration of their shared yearning, a language of love that needed no words.
Adalia couldn’t hold back her desire any longer. She unbuttoned his shirt, pushing it from his broad shoulders. Her hands trembled slightly as the fabric gave way. The shirt fell to the floor, forgotten, as the heat between them intensified.
Their mouths met once more, a passionate, tender fusion of souls entwined. He gently pulled back, his breath mingling with hers in the intimate space between them. The prince’s eyes bore into hers, unclouded by lust, but burning with a love that was unbreakable.
“I won’t make you mine until I know it’s for forever,” he murmured, a vow of respect and devotion.
“What do you mean?” Adalia replied, out of breath.
Matthias remained silent as he gently lifted her from her seated position and placed her on her feet.
And then, in a moment that seemed to freeze time, he sank to one knee. His hand slipped into his trouser pocket, retrieving a small box that held the promise of forever.
He met her gaze, his voice steady but filled with emotion. “From the moment that I met you, I knew we were destined to find each other. I fought hard against what my heart wanted and what my head was saying. Time and time again, you have shown me what it’s like to live . . . not just exist. So, Adalia . . . my love, the one my heart longs for. I want to live, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you, teaching me how.”
He held the small, light-blue velvet box open towards her, and there, nestled between the folds of fabric, sat an elongated cushion cut diamond on a dainty, solid band of gold. “Will you marry me?”
Tears glistened in her eyes as the weight of the moment washed over her. If someone had told her months ago that one day she would find herself in the arms of the Prince of Darkness as he declared his love for her, Adalia would have laughed. Nodding, heart bursting with joy, she whispered a fervent, “Yes.”
Mattias grinned as he took the ring from its box and placed it on her extended hand.
The prince stood from his kneeling position and cupped Adalia’s face in his hands. “My heart stopped beating when I was nine years old and even though I wasn’t dead, I felt it inside. Then I met you. And every time I saw you, a pain would tug against my chest. I thought it was True Death, but the moment I read the note you gifted me alongside my dagger, the pain intensified and exploded inside my chest and for the first time in one hundred years, my heart beat again. The king of light may have brought me back to life on the battlefield physically but you Adalia . . . you brought me back to life mentally and emotionally.”
Tears slipped down her cheeks as Adalia stood within the arms of the prince.
Brushing his lips lightly against hers, he whispered. “You brought light into my darkness and with every stolen glance, you drew the curtain across my mind open, bit by bit until finally the sun began to shine. You’re the song I can’t get out of my head.”
His words filled her heart to the brim and spilled joy into her soul. “Then let’s never stop making music.”
Matthias picked her up in his arms, spinning her around on the spot as her laughter filled the room. Setting her back down, Adalia placed her arms around his neck and drew his lips to hers once again.
In the night’s glow, their love story reached a new pinnacle. A future together stretched before them, bound by the threads of a passionate love, and sealed with the promise of an eternity together.
“We’re going to need a bigger kitchen.”