“Are there crowds that you don’t mind, then?”
Matthias’s wings pulled in tight in response to her question. “I dabble in the arts of street fighting. Those crowds I can handle.”
“Is that why your face was so bruised the first time I found you in the woods?” she quietly asked.
Matthias cleared his throat. “No.”
“Do you want to tell me why?” she pushed further.
“Not really. It’s in the past now,” he replied distantly.
He was clearly uncomfortable, so she dropped the subject. Maybe one day he’d be ready to share more intimate details about his life and she was happy to wait until then.
“If you ever want to talk about it, though, I’m good at listening.”
Smiling softly at her, the prince nodded.
Adalia motioned towards a laneway a little way down the street. “I just need to pick up some items from the local forgers.”
Matthias nodded, and the pair walked in silence the rest of the way. At the shop, Matthias held the door open for Adalia andit made her internally grin. For someone who dwelt on the darker side of life, he certainly knew how to be a gentleman. They stepped through the door, a jangling bell announcing their arrival.
A burly man appeared from the room out the back with a smile plastered on his face. “Adalia! How are you, friend?”
“Hello James.” Adalia beamed at him.
Inhaling the smell of molten metal, Adalia sighed. The sound of clanging reaching her ears from the back of the shop. It was a comfort to her. Coming to The Blazing Anvil was a highlight of Adalia’s week. The storefront was small, but held many selections of fine metal sheeting, ready to be melted into many creations. All the work was done out the back.
Trailing her fingers over the cool metals on the shelves brought joy to her soul. For the last few years, she’d be learning the skill of blade making. The hobby wasn’t something she shouted from the rooftops—not because she was ashamed of it. It was just something she liked to do for herself. James had welcomed her eagerness and many nights Adalia would visit, honing her skill.
“Needing more of that brass sheet stock you purchased last week? Or can I interest you in some copper that I just finished smelting yesterday?” James asked as he moved towards a pile of the shiny metal.
“I need some brass, nickel, and I’ll take some damascus steel sheets too. I will think about the copper, thank you, James.” Adalia smiled at the man, who moved from behind the counter to gather her items.
Matthias was running his fingers over the copper sheets, eyes bright.
“On second thought, I’ll take a small sheet of the copper too, James,” she added.
James nodded and placed a sheet on the growing pile.
Movement caught her eye, and as the metal clanged again, she realised Mathias’s entire body flinched at the sound. “Are you okay?” she questioned. His wings were tucked tight towards his body.
Matthias nodded. “I’m fine.”
The prince took a lap of the store and returned to her side. “What do you do with all of this metal?” he asked.
“I make things with it,” Adalia replied.
Matthias looked at her warily. “What kind of things?”
“Secret things.” Adalia’s brow rose as she teased him.
Satisfied with her answer, Matthias took another lap around the shop.
James finished collecting her list of items. “All set to go, my friend.”
Smiling at James, Adalia paid for her items. “If you could add it to my stack out the back, I’ll return later this week. I had an idea for something new, if you feel up to it?”
Grinning, James lifted the sheets from the countertop. “If you need my help, I’m there. But you managed just fine without me last time!”
