The prince whirled. “And why didn’t you? Why come here at all? No one in their right mind would return once they’d escaped.”
Adalia squared her shoulders. “I came to make sure you weren’t a threat.”
“Oh, I’m a threat, little dove. Or have you forgotten I’m the Prince of Darkness?”
Adalia shifted her weight. “I certainly haven’t forgotten. How could I forget your scowling face and horrible black wings.”
The prince remained silent as he stared at her. A hum of discomfort settled over them, yet Adalia couldn’t look away.
“Look, come with me or stay here and wait around for your father to find you. It’s your choice.” She moved to the forest’s edge. “I’ve been gone too long as it is, so I’m going.”
She walked into the trees. For a brief moment, there was only the sound of leaves crunching underfoot.
“Fine!” he called behind her. “But Bones is coming too!”
Adalia turned as Matthias whistled and a large white wolf bounded to his side.
“Of course the large and terrifying wolf can come too,” Adalia returned to the clearing. “As long as he understands Lightners are off the menu.” The wolf eagerly sniffed her hand, insisting on being pet.
“What about cats?...”
Adalia’s brow rose at the prince’s retort. “Cats are also off the menu.”
Matthias gave her a small grin. “Well, we’re wasting time. Let me put some clothes on. Come inside.”
Adalia nodded, suddenly feeling awkward and trying to look anywhere besides his naked, ink covered back as she followed him inside. It was a cosy cabin, not overly cluttered. It housed a small wooden table in one corner with a single chair beside it, a larger armchair by the fireplace, and a single cot bed on the other side of the room. Books and some odd-looking trinkets adorned a shelf braced upon the wall. Adalia wondered how he coped staying in such cramped spaces with how large his wings were, but he didn’t seem bothered by it as he moved around the room with ease.
“Are you sure about this?” Matthias’s question carried through the small space.
“I’m not sure at all. In fact, I’m probably crazy and will regret it in five minutes, but you’ve saved me more than once. Now it’s time for me to return the favour.” Adalia offered him a weak smile. This certainly was the craziest thing she’d done in a long time. What situation had she just put herself in? Was she truly going to regret it in five minutes? She hoped not.
Matthias nodded and resumed his dressing, buttoning up his black shirt. Adalia felt a pang of disappointment once the prince was dressed. He reached for some food on the shelves near the table and Adalia cleared her throat. “We have food in Lucius. Don’t feel you have to bring your own.”
He dropped his hand and instead turned to the chair by the fireplace, gathering a small brown leather book and his veslo. Adalia watched as he packed them and some clothing into a bag before turning to close the curtains on the windows.
“I’ll just retrieve my knives from outside and I’ll be ready to leave.” Matthias said.
“Do you need to bring them?” Adalia gazed at him warily.
“You can’t be too careful these days, and besides, they are a part of me. I’d feel bare without them.”
Adalia nodded and didn’t question again as she stepped outside—she knew exactly how he felt. Thankfully, no unwelcome guests had arrived, but she would have been lying if she said she didn’t want to wait around to find out if they would.
Matthias pulled two small daggers from the tree trunk and placed one inside his right boot and sheathing the other into the black leather belt around his hips. He walked back towards the cabin and called Bones, then shut the door and locked it behind him. “Ready when you are, little dove.”
“Beast.” Adalia threw at him as she walked off towards the Veil.
Before they stepped through, she stopped and turned, nearly colliding with Matthias’s broad frame. Feeling flushed at their proximity, she took a step back.
“Now, if you even think about misbehaving while you are in my Kingdom you’ll find yourself quickly transported back to this horrid place and I’ll not offer you sanctuary again. Are we clear?” Adalia exclaimed.
“Crystal.” Matthias replied, a boyish grin tugging at his lips.
Adalia huffed and turned back towards the Veil and together they stepped through the tear in the milky haze.
What waited for Adalia on the other side sent her stomach straight into the ground. There, before her, stood a worried-looking Shilo—and a furious-looking Nikolas.
“Has it been twenty minutes already?” Adalia gave the pair a lopsided grin. Her brother didn’t laugh.
