Matthias had worn a white suit, black shirt and a peacock blue tie with a matching kerchief in his jacket pocket. A black silk rose boutonniere on his jacket lapel completed his outfit. A salute to where he came from, to where he was now. Nikolas made sure Matthias’s hair was styled and his black leather shoes were polished.
Adalia’s brother stood proudly beside Matthias in an all-black suit, with matching tie and kerchief to the prince’s. Both Matthias and Adalia agreed that a small wedding party was all they wanted, so Adalia asked Shiloh to be her maid of honour and Matthias asked Nikolas if he’d be the best man. Over-the-top squeals of delight had erupted from Shiloh and Nikolas had grinned. Both accepted the invitation instantly.
As Shiloh walked the carpet in front of Adalia, Matthias smiled at her. She looked stunning in her black silk satin dress, which stopped just above her knee. The thin straps lay daintily against her mocha-coloured skin, and she carried a scrumptious bouquetof pure white peonies. Her hair floated around her shoulders like white cotton candy, the waves cascading down her back. She smiled at the prince as she approached the end of the aisle, her violet eyes filled with happiness.
The music changed tempo as Adalia walked towards him, her hand hooked around her father’s arm, who looked remarkably proud of his daughter.
Drawing in a breath, Matthias marvelled at the vision that approached.
Adalia was breathtaking.
He was so pleased they’d kept their wedding attire secret because seeing her now was worth the wait. She wore a white, fitted gown that hugged her hips, cinched in at the waist with the skirt flaring out as it reached the ground. Tulle sleeves wrapped themselves around her slim arms and, from top to bottom, the entire gown covered in the most delicately beaded lace, almost like a spider’s web. Her hair was arranged in a loose, low bun at the back of her neck, with a few soft wavy tendrils framing her face. Tucked into the top of her bun was a thin white veil that stretched out behind her.
Matthias teared up when he realised that, in her hand, she carried a bunch of white, ruffled roses, the stems bound in a black ribbon, an acknowledgement that roses were his favourite.
In his mind, he paused time. He needed to grasp the moment. He’d come from years of pain. A place where his father told him he’d never be worthy of love and that he was a disappointment. A place Matthias thought he would never, ever leave. To this very moment. Thrust into a world of acceptance. A place where he was worthy and people loved him.
Adalia loved him.
The rest of the ceremony was a blur. As the couple exchanged rings, there wasn’t a dry eye in the chapel while they spoke their vows. When it came time for the kiss, Matthias eagerly took his bride in his arms and kissed her soundly. The room cheered and threw white and gold confetti over the couple as they walked back down the aisle.
To Matthias, this day had been the most magical moment he’d ever experienced, and if he had to live his past life again—the bad parts included, he would do it . . . over and over, if it meant finding her every time.
She was his better half, and he was going to treasure her for the rest of his existence.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Thesong
“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.
