“There’s definitely no complaint here. The food in Oscuro is odd, it looks good on the outside, but when you eat it you question if what you’re really eating is food,” Matthias murmured.
Adalia softly shuddered. “Yeah . . . I know.”
Matthias glanced at her sideways. “Oh, I’m sorry. Of course, you already knew that.”
“It’s okay.” Adalia shrugged.
“Does your mother live close by?” Matthias asked, changing the subject.
Nodding, Adalia smiled at the prince’s question. “Both my parents do.”
When Adalia had entered the Kingdom, she’d chosen to be near her parents. They lived in a small Mediterranean district called Floriana Meadows. It was filled with cobbled streets, stone houses, red geraniums in terracotta pots, shared meals, and laughter.
Adalia’s mother had passed from The Grey when Adalia was only fourteen years old – it had broken her heart. Adalia knew she would see her mother again, but her absence was felt for many years later.
The healing of having her parents at the table, sharing a meal with her that first time they’d come together in Lucius, was something she’d never forgotten.
The prince strolled beside her, hands in pockets. “Do you see them often?”
“Nik and I try to visit them weekly. Making up for lost time . . . you know?”
The prince tucked his wings closer. Perhaps it was insensitive of her to bring up her parents. One only needed to look at the King of Oscuro to feel sorry for anyone who’d been fathered by him.
“What about your mother? Where is she?”
“I don’t have a mother.” Matthias spoke quietly.
Adalia was about to press further when bushes rustled to their left and a large brown bear meandered out, slowly crossing their path. Matthias halted and placed an arm in front of Adalia as a form of protection. Adalia smiled at his gesture and gently pushed it down with her hand.
“While I appreciate your sudden need to protect me . . . all creatures here in Lucius are harmless. They will never attack you,” she grinned. “And—don’t forget, I’m a major in the King’s Army,” she reminded him. Her heart beat quickly at her touch on his arm and the way he genuinely looked worried for their safety.
Matthias let out his breath and noticed the smile tugging at her lips. “You find my chivalry humorous?”
“I think it’s sweet, but I promise he won’t harm us,” Adalia answered as she caught his grey-blue eyes with hers.
Matthias held her there for a moment before glancing down at the hand still gripped around his forearm.
Adalia quickly pulled it away and placed it in her skirt pocket.
“Do you ever get used to it?” Matthias asked.
Adalia winked. “Stay long enough and you’ll find out.”
They reached the town centre, which was bustling with life already, and even though the sun had only just awoken, Lightners already perused through store fronts, drinking coffee from fancy cups in cafes lining the cobbled streets.
Adalia pointed to a store called Rosie’s. “That’s my favourite place to sit and have tea or coffee. They make the most delicious apple cream pies and coconut coated chocolate sponge cakes.”
The prince rubbed his stomach, drawing attention to his inked hand and knuckles. Adalia’s wings twitched.
“Sounds divine,” he groaned.
“Do you not have places like this in Oscuro?” Adalia asked as they walked along.
The prince lightly shrugged his shoulders. “We do. I just don’t fancy them.”
“Why not?”
“Mainly because there are too many people around and I don’t like meaningless crowds.”
