“Well, if you ever decide you want to know more, I could ask around for you,” she suggested.
“Thanks, but for now I’ve got other issues to deal with,” the prince replied. “I do not know what I am meant to do about my father. The easiest thing is to return home, but after those Thorns saw us today, I fear there won’t be a welcome home party on my arrival.”
The broken bird returned as Adalia watched the prince talk. His wings wrapped around his frame like a shield, protecting him from the world, and she wanted to take the pain that weighed on his body and throw it farther than the eye could see.
“What if you just never returned?”
Matthias took a deep breath in and folded his arms across his chest. “I mean . . . it’s a possibility, but I just feel like I will always wonder what if. What if my father changes? What if he became the father I needed? What if I could show him that there’s a different way of doing life? You know?”
Smiling, Adalia finished the wine in her glass. “You have a good heart, Matthias.”
Matthias chuckled softly. “I’m not sure I have a heart at all, little dove.”
Before Adalia could protest, the server returned. “I hope you enjoyed your meal. Would either of you like dessert?”
Shaking her head, Adalia smiled at the green-eyed beauty. “The meal was glorious, as usual. As for dessert, I’m fine, thank you.”
Turning to face Matthias, Adalia questioned with her brow. “Oh, I’m also fine, thank you,” he answered.
Matthias had eaten his fill of pasta and bread, and Adalia had more than enough wine. Both laughed as they paid for the meal. “May the light guide you!” Adalia said as she thanked the girl for a wonderful evening and started the walk home.
“How come you all say that saying here?” Matthias murmured as they walked.
“What saying?”
“May the light guide you . . .”
Adalia pinched her brow—pondering. “It’s something we are taught once we enter the kingdom. I think it’s a way of keeping the hope inside of us. That there is something beyond just us. There is a light that always shines in the darkness.”
Matthias nodded, but remained silent.
“So, how do you feel about your first experience dining out?” Adalia asked, hands tucked behind her back as she strolled along.
A boyish grin tugged the corner of his mouth. “It was wonderful. Thank you for sharing it with me.”
Adalia smiled as she tucked some loose strands of hair behind her ear.
“By the way, you look stunning tonight.” The prince’s voice was warm and husky.
Lightly bumping his arm with her shoulder, Adalia felt the heat rise to her cheeks. “Thanks,” she replied softly.
“Did you always know you wanted to join the King’s Army?” Matthias casually asked.
“Not when I first came to Lucius, no. After a year of getting to know the kingdom and the king himself, though, that’s when I knew I wanted to be a part of something that was bigger than me. I wanted to make a difference,” Adalia replied.
Matthias nodded as he strolled along, and Adalia wondered what was going on inside his head.
They reached the front door to her home, and Matthias opened it, standing in the doorway. Adalia searched his grey-blue eyes that seemed to beckon to her and she couldn’t hold back any longer.
“By the light,” she whispered before standing on the tips of her toes. Tugging the front of his shirt towards her, Adalia placed a soft, swift kiss on his lips.
Pulling back, she waited to see how the prince would respond.
They stood in the doorway for a few moments, his gaze locked on hers—darkening with every second.
Adalia was about to take a step back when Matthias reached a hand out and gripped the back of her neck, pulling her towards him. The hunger in the kiss brought a weakness to her knees and Adalia quietly moaned. Matthias grinned against her mouth.
Within moments, muscular arms circled her waist and lifted her off the ground. Adalia wrapped her legs around his hips and captured his mouth with her own once again. Matthias carried her inside, kicking the door shut with his foot as she dropped her coat and bag onto the floor.
