Adalia shook her head softly. “If he does . . . we will be ready. Now, I don’t mean to sound like a baby, but I really need to attend to this wound. I’m losing blood.”
“Oh Ada, I’m so sorry. Here, let me help you.” Before Adalia could protest, Matthias swept her into his arms and hurried back towards their horses. Worrying about his next move would have to come later…for as much as he hated to admit it, he knew he might not have the chance for much longer.
Chapter Fifteen
The dinner date
“Two of them. Sneaking through the woods at the top furthest end of the Veil, my king. One of them even took a shot at me,” Adalia voiced.
The king paced back and forth a few times. “First, are you okay? And second, do you think they were entering or leaving?”
As soon as Adalia and Matthias had returned to Lucius, she took him home where, together; they had carefully cleaned and bandaged her wound before Adalia left, heading straight to the king.
She stood in one of his private council chambers. It was of medium size and had many books and scrolls scattered about on the tabletop and bookshelves. It smelt of vanilla and cinnamon. A fire crackled in the fireplace, the only window in the room large and overlooked the kingdom.
Nodding, Adalia smiled. “Yes, I’m fine. They were running towards Oscuro, so I presume they were hurrying back. Thankfully, few families live out towards that end of the Veil, mainly the odd farmer who likes to live peacefully, so if they were just scouting, then maybe all is well. But it also means that there is a tear in theVeil that needs healing, because they came through without using the Gate. I have stationed a few guards that were nearby in the area, until the healers can get there,” Adalia explained.
The king pondered her words as he continued to pace.
“Matthias is concerned his father will find his presence with me enough reason to declare war on The Grey. He fears his father will see this as betrayal and react,” she continued.
The king listened intently to Adalia’s words, his brows furrowing with concern. After a thoughtful pause, he replied, “Adalia, I understand Matthias’ apprehension. Such matters are delicate, and the politics between our kingdoms can be messy. However, Matthias must know that while he is here in Lucius, he is under our protection. I will ensure his safety and well-being. We must tread carefully, but we will not let fear dictate our actions. Please convey to Matthias that we will do everything in our power to avoid conflict, and that his presence here is not of any concern to me.”
“Thank you, my king” Adalia felt relieved, but a small tug of concern still pulled at her heart. Seeing the prince today all caught up in fear of his father made her wince. She couldn’t even fathom how he must be feeling. Never once did her own father make her feel fearful of him.
Adalia knew it was time for a hard conversation and inwardly she hoped he would open up and allow her to speak into his life. Maybe she could help him make the decision she knew he needed to make.
“Before you go, there is something I would like to share, but what you do with the information is completely up to you.” The king ushered her to sit at the table with him.
Before he told her what her ears were itching to hear, he poured her a hot tea and offered her a fresh cinnamon scroll. Adalia did not know where it came from, but didn’t refuse, hungrily devouring one. Her first sip of tea brought life to her veins.
The king sipped his drink. “Matthias’s mother lives here in Lucius.”
Adalia nearly choked on her mouthful of tea at the king’s words. “I’m sorry. Did you say mother?” Adalia questioned, wide eyed.
Why hadn’t she thought to ask that question? If he had a father, there had to be a mother, right?
The king nodded and smiled. “Yes, his mother. Her name is Hadassah.”
“And she’s here in Lucius?” Adalia questioned again.
The king chuckled at her. “Yes, Ada. Here in Lucius.”
“I’m sorry, it’s just I presumed she would be in . . . well in Oscuro and to add to it, Matthias swears he has no mother,” Adalia said as she sipped her tea again.
Her heart was racing a million miles an hour. “Does she know he is here?”
The king shook his head gently, his loose brown hair brushing his shoulders. “No, she does not. I haven’t told her yet. That is why I thought I would tell you, in case you would like to share the news with him.”
“When do you plan on telling Hadassah?” Adalia asked quietly.
Chuckling softly, the king smiled. “I’m not sure. Soon, though, she has a right to know her son is here.”
Adalia was so intrigued and her head spun with thoughts. Surely Matthias would want to know about his mother, but should she be the one to tell him? Maybe, alongside the conversation of what he was going to do about his father, she could ask him about his mother again.
The king must have sensed her unease because he reached for her hand. “There is no pressure. If you’d rather I tell him, then I will.”
“It’s ok, I can do it. I’ll just think it over first if that’s alright with you?” Adalia returned his warm gesture with a smile. “Thank you, as always, my king. Also, my compliments to the chef on those cinnamon scrolls they are absolutely divine.”
