Chapter 36
The song
“How are you, wife?” Matthias grinned as they waltzed across the dance floor, looking even more handsome than ever. The music ebbed and flowed, pulling them in every direction like a leaf in the wind.
“Incandescently happy, husband . . .” Adalia looked upon his face with adoration, her mossy-brown eyes glittering under the twinkling light canopy above their heads.
The evening had been a dream, spending it with family and friends, laughing and dancing the night away. Adalia was feeling overwhelmed with love and support from all who attended, as her thoughts travelled back to the ceremony.
The king led the afternoon, joining them together as one in the great chapel. Every stained glass window in the room told a story of life, from birth to death. Sunrays had pierced through the images and sent rainbow prisms across the room, and the moment Adalia made eye contact with her prince at the end of the aisle, all the nerves vanished from her body.
Matthias had been a vision, standing proud and tall beneath the arch of white tulips, lilies, peonies and phalaenopsis orchids, his all-white suit a stunning contrast against his brown hair and vibrant-blue wings.
“And how are you, husband?” Adalia said as she pulled him closer.
“Is there another word that means incandescently, but double, because if there is . . . that’s how I feel.” He smiled at her softly.
Adalia giggled as the prince spun her around one last time, and the song ended. The evening was winding down and Adalia was secretly glad. Her feet ached from wearing the heels Shiloh insisted she wear. More than that, though, she wanted to be alone with her new husband. Her face flushed as she thought of what the evening ahead held for them both.
The couple wished everyone farewell as they made their way through a tunnel of hands that led to the front door of the reception. As they turned together to wave goodbye, Adalia spied her brother standing off to the side, smiling. She picked up the skirt of her dress and ran towards him, flinging herself into his arms.
“Thank you, Nik . . . for everything,” she whispered.
Nikolas held her tight and whispered into her hair. “You’re welcome, little sis.”
After kissing her parents goodbye one last time, Adalia returned to the prince’s side. She let out a little shriek as he scooped her up into his arms and shot into the sky. She let her bouquet go, hoping it would fall into the hands of someone who would cherish it. Glancing down, she grinned when she saw who caught it—Hadassah.
Slipping on her cream silk and lace nightgown, Adalia stood in the washroom as she took the metal pins that were securing her hair in place and placed them on the edge of the counter.
The king had offered them an evening in one of the palace rooms at the very top of the castle. Shaking her hair free, she let her loose waves tumble down her back. Matthias had retreated into the bedroom, after he’d taken his time undoing the long trail of buttons down the back of her wedding gown. Every time his fingers grazed her skin, she felt a wave of little bumps wash over her body.
Now, as she stood in front of the mirror in her barely there outfit, she felt shy. This was her first time being with a man in an intimate way and even though her body ached for him, if she was honest, she had little way of knowing what to expect.
A matching silk robe hung on a hook beside the vanity, and she put it on, tying it around her waist. Opening the beauty case Shiloh had packed for her as a wedding gift, Adalia found many scented lotions and cosmetics. Her best friend really was all a girl could ask for.
The vanilla and blueberry perfume Adalia usually wore was tucked away inside and so she spritzed it in the air and stood under it, letting it settle onto her hair and skin. Next, she placed a small dollop of rose-pink lip balm on her mouth and smacked them together quietly. Smoothing down the fabric of her nightgown, she took in a deep breath and left the room.
She found Matthias sitting on the balcony, leaning up against the stone barrier, strumming softly on his veslo. Soft cushions and blankets were scattered on the rug beneath him. Hundreds of white candles in clear glass canisters covered the balcony floor, sending a warm glow into an evening sky littered with a thousand tiny pinpricks like a sea of glitter.
The prince had changed too, now sporting loose grey cotton trousers and a white shirt, with his unruly hair falling across his forehead. He looked at her intently as she approached and she was afraid her heart might stop completely.
Cause of death? . . . too much love.
“Was today how you expected it would be?” Adalia asked as she lowered herself onto the pile of cushions and reached for the glass of sparkling rose` Matthias held out to her. She sipped as she waited for his reply.
His fingers reached for his wine. “It was everything I imagined it would be and more. All I wanted from the day was you at the end of it.”
Adalia blushed at his words. “I’m all yours . . .”
“You will be soon,” Matthias purred in response, reaching for her and pulling her into his lap. She giggled as she positioned herself so that she was straddled across his legs.
“Before any of that, though, I would like you to do something for me,” Adalia said as she traced a single finger over Matthias’s bottom lip.
The prince’s brow rose. “What is your heart’s desire, my love?” he murmured as he nipped at her hand.
“I want you to sing for me.”
Matthias threw back his head, his laughter filled with pure joy. The gold nose ring, glinting under the light of the moon. “And here I thought you wanted me to kill someone or teach them a lesson or something.”
Adalia joined in with the prince’s laughter. “I certainly don’t need you killing anyone for me.”
“So, what song would you like to hear, wife?” the prince teased as he leant forward and placed a sweet kiss upon her lips.
“The one you are always writing about in your book. The one that I’ve heard you sing more than once before.”
The prince chuckled and reached for his veslo. “As you wish, little dove, but you must promise not to tease.”
Adalia’s brow rose. “But I do it so well . . .”
A roguish grin appeared on the prince’s face, and Adalia blushed under his hungry gaze.
“I promise I will not tease. Now play.”
Remaining on his lap, Adalia closed her eyes as soon as the prince’s fingers strummed the first chord, his voice taking her to another world as he sang.
“I walk the halls of my mind and, like my heart, I find them empty.
I’m wide awake in a world built for sleep and my body is ready.
But I don’t dare close my eyes ‘cause that’s when the monsters prowl.
Will you save me? Or am I doomed to lay waste in this hole?
Nothing matters anymore. Take me away from here.
Show me the other side of life, the place that you hold dear.
I want to be happy. Promise us we can be.
I’ll take care of you, and you’ll take care of me.
Pull the bleeding heart from your chest and I’ll rip out mine, too.
We can trade and hope for the best. We have nothing to lose.
Trying to run from the pain, but it finds me still.
At the bottom of the barrel, nowhere to go but downhill.
Nothing matters anymore. Take me away from here.
Show me the other side of life, the place that you hold dear.
I want to be happy. Promise us we can be.
I’ll take care of you, and you’ll take care of me.
Those starry eyes that pierce my darkness and crack my soul.
I’m never going to breathe again until you save me and make me whole.
Where can I go?
I’m all alone, all alone.
But you can save us.
You can take me home.”
Matthias finished the song as tears fell down Adalia’s cheeks, dripping onto her chest, darkening the silk as they fell. His voice was unlike anything she had ever heard before. Yes, she’d heard him sing, but not like this, not with so much feeling and emotion.
The prince smiled at her softly. “Thank you for bringing me home.”
It was all Adalia needed to pull the veslo from his hands and place it on the ground beside them before shuffling further up to sit across his hips. Undoing the silk belt around her waist, she let the robe fall open, revealing the lacey nightgown.
Matthias sucked in his breath as he viewed the way the lace sat delicately against her warm skin. Wrapping his arms around her waist, Matthias pulled her into his body. Adalia cupped his face and lowered her head, capturing his mouth with her own. The prince moaned against her mouth, tasting like the wine they’d been drinking as he opened for her, his tongue slowly dancing with hers. Their breathing became as one, a symphony of inhale and exhale, as their mouths explored one another’s.
Adalia drank him in. His muscular frame, his exploring touch—the way he held her as if she was the most precious thing in his universe.
Pulling her lips from his, Adalia allowed her head to fall back, exposing her throat to Matthias’s curiosity, he grazed his teeth along her skin, sucking and biting a trail down her neck to her collarbones, drawing her closer as he did so. A warmth built low in her stomach and she rocked her hips forwards as she responded to the friction of her body against his. Matthias quietly hissed at her movement, his eyes growing dark as he trailed them over her face.
The desire intensified, and Adalia couldn’t wait any longer. She needed him.
Smiling at her now husband, Adalia stood and held out a hand as she retreated backwards towards the bedroom. “I believe you once threatened to show me what that mouth and those hands of yours can do.”
Matthias grinned wickedly and rose from his seated position. “Are you giving me permission, little dove?”
“Yes, I am, beast,” she said, her voice as soft as the silk she wore.
Turning, Adalia walked through the doors that lead from the balcony into the bedroom.
Matthias followed willingly.
The ambience of the room was perfect in temperature—the floor candles flooding the space with a golden glow.
“Wait . . . let me,” the prince spoke softly as Adalia reached to remove her robe.
Letting her hands fall to her sides, she allowed him to slip the fabric off her shoulders—it puddled on the floor at her feet like melted ice cream. His calloused hands brushed against her skin, and she fluttered her eyes against the sensation.
Slipping his fingers under the thin straps of her silk nightgown, he watched as it joined the robe on the floor. Leaving her body entirely exposed in only a pair of barely there white knickers. Adalia blushed under the prince’s gaze as he greedily devoured her with his eyes.
“Oh, how I love you,” Matthias whispered.
Dropping to his knees before her, he looked up with pleading eyes, begging to be allowed to touch. Adalia nodded softly, and the prince groaned as he looped his fingers around the top of her underwear, and dragged them down her hips so they, too, gathered at her feet. She stepped out of them, and Matthias gently grabbed her by her thighs. He took turns to kiss each one as he made his way towards the warmth between her legs.
Butterflies filled her stomach, and her knees began to shake.
He paused at her centre and looked up at her as he placed a gentle kiss on it. Adalia’s hips bucked at the feel of his lips against her. Grasping his head, she held him there as he explored her entrance with his tongue, her breath coming in short gasps.
Adalia’s head fell back as pleasure pulsed through her body—her legs threatening to give way at any moment.
Never had she experienced love like this.
The prince pulled back and looked up at her once again.
“I have wanted to drop to my knees in front of you, completely at your mercy, since the moment I caught your gaze that very first time in my father’s throne room,” Matthias whispered against her skin.
Adalia trembled at his gaze, her breath catching in her throat. “Truly?”
Her husband nodded. “Your eyes were the most beautiful mix of colour I’d ever seen, and they beckoned to me. I couldn’t get you from my mind.”
Tears clouded her eyes once again. “You wanted me . . . even when I was covered in blood and dirt?”
Matthias grinned at her while he nipped at the skin on her thighs and hips. “Even then. You were the most beautiful creature I’d ever laid eyes on.”
As she felt her skin pebble from his touch, Adalia knew she was going to love this man forever.
“You were the most beautiful creature I’d ever laid eyes on, too,” Adalia whispered as she ran her fingers through his hair.
Matthias stood. Watching. Mapping her body with a look of hunger in his eyes.
“If you don’t kiss me right now, I will fear this is all a dream,” Adalia whispered.
Blue wings gently encased her as Matthias reached for her and brought his lips closer in a hungry kiss. Inked hands stole their way around her waist and down to squeeze her bare cheeks, causing heat to pool between her legs once again. Pulling her lips from his, Adalia placed her hands on Matthias’s chest.
“My turn.”
She lifted the hem of his shirt—a silent request—and Matthias pulled it over his broad shoulders. Adalia ran her hands over his muscled torso, tracing patterns with her fingertips.
Glancing up at him, she smiled as she reached for the belt around his hips. Unbuckling it, she pulled it free and dropped it to the ground. The prince’s eyes glittered with anticipation as she released the button and zipper that held his trousers together and pushed them down over his hips.
His hardened length sprang free, and Adalia swallowed nervously.
Standing before her, completely naked, was the most glorious male she’d ever seen. She’d never been with a man like this before, so she had no way of knowing what to expect. Whatever he was though—he was perfect for her.
“By the light, you’re perfect,” Adalia said softly.
A faint shade of red washed over his face, and Adalia smiled. Circling him, Adalia took in his muscular figure as she brushed her fingertips against his wings. Matthias let out a small moan, and she grinned.
She pressed kisses to his inked spine as her fingers danced along his lower back and over his backside—tracing patterns into his skin.
Adalia completed her circle and stood on tiptoes in front of him to press a tender kiss to his mouth.
“If you don’t let me have you right now, I fear I will lose my mind,” he softly growled.
“We can’t have that can we . . .?” walking to the bed, Adalia then turned, sat down on the edge and watched as the prince sauntered towards her.
“Are you ready for this?” the prince whispered.
Adalia leaned back, her palms flat against the cover, and took in his nakedness. Starting at his face, she trailed her eyes down his neck, over his torso to the v-shape that pointed down below. She swallowed when she took in the length of him.
Nodding shyly, she murmured, “Yes.”
“Well then, I’m going to need you to get up on the bed and lie on your back for me.”
His gentle yet demanding words melted her, and Adalia’s heart skipped a beat.
Dragging herself backwards until she reached the pillows, she lay back against them with her hair fanning out beneath her.
Matthias climbed onto the bed and nestled himself between her legs—positioned above her, before gently claiming her mouth in a hungry kiss.
Adalia closed her eyes and moaned, her hands grasping his back—digging her nails in ever so slightly.
The prince pressed his lips from her mouth, along her jaw, and over her skin as he made his way down to her supple breasts. He ran a thumb over one of her hardened, pearl shaped nipples and Adalia moaned again, pressing her body into his touch. Dipping his head, Matthias clamped his teeth around it, flicking his tongue over it ever so softly. A cry escaped her, and she writhed beneath the caress of his mouth.
“We can’t let the other one feel left out, can we now?” The prince grinned as he lifted his head and found her other breast with his warm tongue.
Adalia whimpered and pulled Matthias up to her face. “I want you now.”
“Are you ready for me?”
With heat flooding her face, Adalia nodded. “I think so . . .”
Slowly reaching a hand down between her legs, Matthias dragged his fingers over the most sensitive part of her body and she gasped at his touch.
“Oh yes, you’re ready . . . good girl.”
The prince grinned as he leaned down to kiss her swollen lips, his inked arms on either side of her face. He cradled himself between her thighs and waited until she nodded before slowly pushing into her. Flutters erupted into her being as he entered her with his broad tip. Her hands gripped the fabric beneath them. Adalia breathed, willing her body to accommodate his size.
The pain was mild as Matthias filled her—a small sting and the worst of it was over.
Matthias pulled out and pushed back in, excruciatingly slow. His eyes stayed locked on hers.
“Now you’re teasing,” Adalia whispered in short gasps.
“I don’t want to hurt you, my love.”
Adalia shook her head and arched her back under his touch. They’d been through so much pain together, but this kind was welcome. “I don’t care. I need you.”
Matthias slowly pulled out and Adalia groaned.
Smiling down at her, Matthias slid back in a single inch. “Promise me you will always tell me how you feel?”
Adalia bit her bottom lip and wrapped her legs around his—trying to pull him closer. Her skin clammy with anticipation.
“Promise me you will always tell me what you want?”
“I promise . . . now please Matthias…”
“Please what, my love?” he whispered against her lips.
Adalia dragged her hands through his hair before bringing them down to cup his face. “I want you to make me yours.”
Adalia uttered the words and then gasped when the prince sunk into her warmth all the way to the hilt. Their hips flush together.
Her body floated into a different realm as fire travelled from her toes all the way to her fingertips. With a foggy mind, Adalia arched beneath Matthia’s weight—a silent plea for more.
The dance between two lovers began, whose souls were entwined from the very moment in time, two different stories destined to become one.
The prince pumped into her slowly at first with perfect rhythm, and Adalia watched his face, his eyes darkened with desire.
As the pace quickened, his hips rolled, bringing a surge of pleasure each time his body met hers.
Her hands scratched at his back—delicate fingers brushed against blue feathers. Matthias let out a groan when she gripped the ridge of his wings and the sound nearly sent Adalia over the edge, biting her bottom lip as the feeling of her climax built.
The prince dropped his head and nuzzled her neck, nipping and sucking.
“You have no idea how good that feels,” he said, pulling back.
“Oh, I think I do,” she whispered between breaths.
Matthias leaned down and savagely kissed her, his tongue taunting and teasing. Their mouths ground together as one.
“Beast,” she whispered as she tore her lips from his.
“Little dove,” Matthias whispered against her ear.
Adalia giggled and pushed against his arms, rolling them until she was on top, straddling his hips.
“Feeling playful, my love?”
“I want to learn all the ways to pleasure you.”
Adalia placed her hands on the princes’s chest, her chestnut hair tumbling from her shoulders. It grazed against him as she sunk down on his length—the slow movement bringing a groan from Matthias.
Broad, inked hands gripped her thighs as Adalia allowed her body to stretch around him.
“By the light, you feel so good,” Matthias hissed.
With a grin plastered on her face, Adalia rocked her hips back and forth—desperate for some sort of friction.
Adalia dropped her head back with a moan as the prince’s upward thrust became more consistent. Matthias reached up and took one of her breasts into his tattooed hands, kneading it before pinching her nipple—rolling it between his thumb and forefinger.
Faint moans escaped Adalia and filled the air as he dragged one hand down her sternum, over her stomach, and to the sensitive area between her legs.
Matthias pushed himself up into a sitting position to access her better.
“By the light—” Adalia gasped as her toes curled with delight.
She knew she was near the edge of her release as the prince coaxed and teased her with his hands. Adalia leaned forward, caught his mouth in a hungry kiss. Her tongue sliding in to taste his. The prince continued to rub and tease as Adalia rocked her hips.
“I’m going to come soon,” she panted against his mouth.
Matthias nipped at her chin before he flipped them, so Adalia lay flat against the bed.
Reaching down, he gripped his length and positioned it at her entrance.
Adalia gasped when he plunged into her wetness with gentle force—his hips pushing her further up the bed with each thrust.
The prince leaned down and whispered into her ear. “Come for me, little dove.”
A cry tore from Adalia’s chest as waves of ecstasy washed in and over her.
Her mind fractured into a thousand little shards and slowly pieced itself back together as she came down from somewhere in the stars. Her heart pounded in her chest, her body heavy from pleasure as she rode the ripples of her climax.
The prince threw his head back and groaned as he came. His body stilling above her.
Eyes closed and breaths shallow.
His sweat slicked skin glinted in the glow of the room, as he crumbled against her, the weight of his frame a comfort.
They lay entangled with one another for a few minutes, not wanting to break the cover of love that had settled over them. After a moment, Matthias propped himself up on one elbow to gazed down at her, grey-blue eyes melting into hers.
Adalia couldn’t believe this man was her husband. She reached up to cup his cheek, run her thumb over his bottom lip.
The last few months had brought a multitude of different highs and lows, but as she looked into the eyes of the prince, Adalia was more than grateful that it was him and her at the finish line.
Together here in Lucius . . . safe and incandescently happy.
“I love you . . . I love you . . . I love you. Never leave my side.”
If this is what she’d been without her entire lifetime, she would spend the rest of eternity with him making up for it.
Matthias sleepily smiled at her. “I love you and I’m forever yours, little dove.”