Chapter Thirty
The waiting
Adalia watched the prince intently as he stood, arms folded, his gaze fixated on the Veil between his realm and the one they were currently standing in—The Grey. He’d dressed in all black and wore leather armour. His weapons of choice; daggers. Standing tall and confident, he looked every bit the prince he was.
Ever since she nearly lost him three days ago, things had changed. Mundane tasks didn’t matter so much and her feelings for him had only increased. The thought of losing him pulled on her heart in ways it never had before.
Memories flickered across her mind like little fireflies in the evening glow. The way his blue eyes had sought hers as soon as he opened them. His first words . . .little dove. How her brother had gently lifted Matthias to his feet and together they walked him back to Lucius. It’d taken them two hours, resting at his cabin along the way.
For Matthias, it took a further two full days to completely recover. Today was the first day he’d been on his feet comfortably, with no recurring aches or pains. Adalia had done her best not tosmother him or make him feel like he was helpless, but she’d been right there by his side, ready to talk or process anything that may bother him. So far, he’d remained slightly withdrawn. Not that she could blame him.
“Is he doing okay?” Shiloh came to stand beside Adalia.
“I think so. He hasn’t spoken a lot. I think he’s still processing the cave, the poison, the near-death situation, and this war. He probably feels responsible, too.”
“I guess none of us can imagine what he’s feeling right now, but I’m glad he has you.”
Adalia smiled at her white-haired friend, the sun bouncing off the soft waves making them appear silver. “Thanks, Loh. Although, I don’t feel I’m doing much.”
“Of course you are. You are being the solid support in a time of chaos for him. He needs that while he processes.” Shiloh offered Adalia a comforting smile before squeezing her arm and leaving to find Nikolas.
Matthias turned and walked towards Adalia, flashing her a smile as their eyes met. Her heart jumped inside its cage, made of bones for the millionth time that day, and she grinned right back.
“How are you holding up?” she asked as he stood close to her side.
“I’m fine. How are you?”
Adalia flicked her gaze between his grey-blue eyes and his lips, drinking in the sight of him. “You’re alive, so I’m more than okay.”
The prince reached for her hand and laced his fingers with hers. Little bumps sprinkled their way across her body, and Adalia glanced down to where their fingers intertwined—the perfect fit.
As they stood together at the forest edges of The Grey, alongside hundreds of Lightner soldiers and generals, all was quiet. They’d camped here for the last two days, watching and waiting for the darkness of war to creep in like the unwanted guest it was.
Fixing the blade at her side, Adalia checked herself over one last time, making sure she had an ample amount of daggers on her body and that her armour was well-fastened. Gold metal melded to her body like a second skin, glinting even under the gloomy sky.
Never had there ever been a war between Oscuro and Lucius. There was no way of knowing how this was all going to pan out. Would it be a battle of ground and sky? Would Thorns and Lightners still respect the everyday treaty of not entering the opposite kingdoms? Would the battle last for days?
Even though they’d stationed themselves on the outskirts of all the buildings and dwellings in District Seven, would the chaos reach the doorsteps of the Shadowkin and destroy the town? How much True Death would there be?
Physically, Adalia was already dead, but if a Thorn killed a Lightner or vice versa, their soul would end up in an endless abyss of nothingness—True Death.
Glancing around at the sea of people before her, she held tight to the light inside of her that none would be lost today.
Adalia hadn’t been afraid of True Death before Matthias. She had lived and loved for a long time, but things were different now. The prince appeared in her peaceful life like a whirlwind of fresh air, and now that he had flipped her world upside down, she never wanted it to change.
“Are you nervous?” Matthias’s gentle voice touched her ears.
Glancing up at him, Adalia nodded.
“We are going to get through this just like we have time and time before. I will do my best to stay by your side,” the prince squeezed her hand.
The look he gave her brought a peace that washed over her body like a soothing balm. Adalia reached up with her free hand and cupped his face. “You be careful, you hear me? I can’t—I won’t lose you again.”
The prince turned his head and pressed a tender kiss to Adalia’s palm. “Right back at you.”
It was eerily calm, and a soft fog had settled across the landscape like a watery grey blanket. Motion to her left alerted her, and she swung her head as the King of Light walked through the Veil of Lucius and into The Grey.
He wore Lightner leathers in shades of white, cream and gold. A deep red mantle was draped over his left shoulder, its edges lined with gold embroidery. Upon his walnut brown hair sat a simple,golden crown, which sported seven apexes. On each apex was a single precious stone, each one a different colour, like a rainbow. A salute to the promise that was written on the walls inside the throne room, a promise to never let his people suffer again.
