Adalia swore she heard Matthias quietly laugh.
Reaching into her closet, Adalia picked out a long floral skirt and a white blouse. After changing, she ran a brush through her chestnut waves and braided it, leaving some loose strands gently framing her face. She retrieved some brown leather boots from the bottom of her closet, placed them on, and smoothed her skirts, viewing herself in the floor-length mirror.
It wasn’t often she wore something a little on the feminine side. It was usually her Lightner leathers, comfy pants, a shirt, or her nightgown.
Yet something about the devastatingly handsome man in her lounge room made her want to dress up a little.
Adalia rubbed a small amount of a pale pink rouge on her lips, gathered her canvas bag, and headed back into the living room where she found a neatly put together Matthias leaning against the kitchen table.
“Sorry if I took too long. Are you ready?” Adalia asked as she tried her best not to stare. He must have used the bathroom to change while he waited for her, because he was now wearing black, loose-fitting, tailored pants, a black button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up to just past his elbows. A black belt with a gold buckle held his trousers in place, and on his feet were leather boots.
“Ready when you are.” Matthias threw her a boyish grin.
Adalia walked to the front door and turned. Matthias was telling Bones to wait in the house and that he would return soon. “He behaves so well for you.”
Matthias looked up at her. “He does, because he trusts me.”
The prince ruffled the wolf’s fur and moved towards Adalia. She held her breath as he stepped outside. The height and the width of his body towered over her, and she was reminded of their moment in the woods when he grabbed her by the throat and kissed her.
It had been a while since Adalia had been kissed. There’d been a handful of times in her younger years inside The Grey, but none were as meaningful as the one she shared with Matthias, even if it was unexpected and shocking.
Adalia wondered if he would bring it up in conversation or if he was waiting for her to do so, not that it needed discussion. It was just a debt paid.
Her wings twitched as she remembered the way his warm lips felt against hers, forceful and gentle at the same time. It was certainly the most toe-curling-inside-melting-can’t-breath kiss she’d ever experienced, and she would be lying if she said she didn’t want it to happen again.
“Are we walking today?” His question broke her trance.
“Oh, um yes. It’s such a nice day, I thought we could walk. The town centre isn’t too far away. Is that alright?” Adalia replied as she turned and locked the door behind them.
“Of course, I’m your prisoner here, so I’ll do as you bid.” The big black wings that protruded out of his muscular black glinted in the sunlight, and Adalia thought she saw some feathers throw a shade of blue.
“You aren’t a prisoner here. You may leave any time you wish,” she answered as they walked along.
“Do you want me to?” Matthias’s brow rose.
Adalia adjusted the strap on her shoulder and folded her arms. “I want you to do what you want to do.”
Waiting for his teasing reply, Adalia was surprised when none came. Glancing at him, she realised he was grinning, but looking down at his feet. Adalia allowed herself to smile for a moment, too.
The smell of citrus floated through the air, and Adalia took a deep breath in. “Lemon myrtle is one of my favourite scents,” she said as she reached for a leaf and crushed it, holding it to her nose.
Turning, she reached out her hand and Matthias gently lifted it to his face, taking in a deep breath. The feel of his fingertips against her skin sent tingles down her arm. “Wow, that’s really powerful. I can see why you like it.”
“Do you have a favourite scent?” she asked as they strolled along.
The prince pondered for a moment, and Adalia took the opportunity to look at his face. Since arriving in Lucius, his whole demeanour had softened, like he didn’t have to watch his back every five minutes. His eyes were bright, and he stood taller. Walking with him felt natural too, like she’d been doing it all her life.
“I guess I would say I like sweet smells, like berries or warm caramel,” he answered.
“Oh yes, I like that as well. The perfumed oil I like to wear is blueberries and vanilla.”
“I knew there was a reason I enjoyed being around you,” Matthias teased.
Adalia gently shoved her shoulder into his arm. “So it’s not the food?”
“Well, there’s that too. Why do you love cooking so much?”
“My mother taught me at a young age. It was her love language—cooking for others. When she became sick, she couldn’t do it anymore, and it broke her heart. Since being here in Lucius with her again, it’s just something we like to do,” Adalia answered.
