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.
