“Hellooooo . . . Adalia?” Shiloh prompted.
“Oh sorry, yes it’s fine, he mostly keeps to himself—sitting outside with Bones or playing his veslo in the lounge room. He hasn’t sung, but he’s always writing in that little book of his,” Adalia answered swiftly.
The dark-skinned beauty smiled before lifting her face to the sun. “What are we all going to do this afternoon?”
Adalia shifted in her saddle. “I was thinking we could cook outside in the courtyard. The blossom tree and the string of lights look divine together.”
Shiloh grinned and nodded her head vigorously. “That sounds magical. Count me in! What can I bring?”
“You know that delicious berry wine you showed me? The one with blueberries and mulberries infused into it?” Adalia asked her friend.
Shiloh laughed and gave her a wink. “Say no more Ada. I will bring the berrylicous wine.”
After they’d finished their patrol shift, Shiloh left Adalia at the compound, promising to return later. Adalia headed to her office to fill in some paperwork before speaking with a few of the Lightner soldiers and returning home.
All was quiet as she landed at the front of her house. Surely Matthias wouldn’t have left without telling her? Pushing the dooropen, she stepped inside. A melodic tune was coming from the courtyard and her body relaxed.
“I’m home,” she called out.
Bones came bounding into the house and leapt onto Adalia, nearly knocking her over. “Hey boy, did you miss me?” She grinned as she ruffled his white fur.
Matthias stepped through the doorway, his wings nearly scraping the top of the door frame. He held his veslo in one hand and his brown leather book in the other.
“You ever going to tell me what you write in that book all the time?” Adalia asked with amusement.
“Are you ever going to tell me what you make with all of that metal?” came the reply.
She half smiled at him, and he held her gaze.
Clearing her throat. “Maybe.”
Matthias took a step towards her, and Adalia drew a breath in. If she moved, the trance would be broken.
If she stayed, she’d reach for him.
“Adalia, I’m sorry—”
Bones began barking at something outside, causing Matthias to pause. His gaze travelled from her face to the sound outside.
“See what he wants—we can talk later,” Adalia said softly.
He nodded and retreated to the courtyard.
Adalia wandered into her room. What could he have possibly wanted to say sorry for? Shaking her head, she entered the bathroom.
The warm bath felt delicious to Adalia’s bones as she soaked in the tub. Shiloh wasn’t arriving for another hour, so she had time to relax before the festivities. Her mind travelled to the dark prince on the other side of her door and the way he held her gaze so intently all the time. She could never quite figure out what he was thinking. Was he regretting everything? Or was he thinking about her lips on his? Heat pooled in her stomach at the memory, and Adalia sunk beneath the water to escape reality for a moment.
Three Lightners and one dark prince sat around the table beneath the string of lights that criss-crossed above their heads. They had charred meats and vegetables, ate buttered rolls that filled an entire basket, and the berry wine Shiloh brought was shared around the table.
“That was incredible. The only thing missing was a giant lobster and maybe some prawns to dip into some creamy lemon mayonnaise.” Nikolas stretched his upper body and leant further into his chair. “I live for these balmy evenings under the stars.”
“Seafood? Since when do we ever eat seafood? You know I don’t like it, nor do I cook with it,” Adalia said, laughing.
“I’m not saying you have to eat it; it just would have been nice. Calm down.” Nikolas winked at her. “Did you make dessert?”
“Do I ever forget dessert?” Adalia sent him a sly smile as she sipped the last of her wine.
“What is it?”
