She emerged from the safety of the bedcovers and stretched. Today was the first day off she’d had in over two weeks. She’d thrown herself into her work, grateful for the distraction. Not that work kept her wandering mind from him.
As she patrolled the Veil, she was extra careful—Nikolas insisted she took at least three to four soldiers with her at all times.
In the short time Adalia spent with Matthias, she could see something shifting in him, but it wasn’t like he was becoming someone else. It was more like he was becoming who he was created to be. Strong, brave, kind . . . not that he wasn’t those things already, but she felt when she first met him they came from a dark place, a place where he only knew how to respond with pain. As time brought them closer together, she saw the softer moments, the stolen glances, the smiles and his song . . . the pain in his song was pivoting.
Like a wound left untended, but she knew if she could just show him he was seen, that he was worthy of love, then the wound that was raw and festering within his soul would heal.
Adalia bathed, dressed, and tied her hair up before going to the kitchen to fix herself a tea and make some breakfast. Red papaya with vanilla yogurt, cinnamon toasted oats, diced strawberries, and a sprinkle of blueberries with honey drizzled on top. Outside, she sat in the sun, legs crossed on top of the daybed. Watching the bees amongst the geraniums as she ate.
A month of silence—not even a note.
Adalia had allowed a small morsel of hope to remain inside her heart that he would send her a message of some kind, to let herknow he was okay. But she’d been disappointed. Her king’s words rang loud and true in her mind.
Everyone has free will.
Matthias needed to choose his own path. If she was on it, her heart would say yes, but if it wasn’t . . . pain would come.
But, in time, so would healing.
After finishing her breakfast, she tidied the kitchen. Then there was nothing to do but start the day.
Sunlight bathed her body as she walked into town. It was a glorious day in Lucius, and Adalia filled her lungs with the crisp, fresh air. Glancing down at the list in her hand, she read over the items she needed from the grocers.
Butter
Eggs
Soap flakes
Loose leaf black vanilla tea
Green apples
Dried bay leaves
Adalia folded the small sheet of paper and placed it into her skirt pocket. After she was done at the grocers, she would head over to see James. He’d sent word that the damascus steel she’d requested was done. After making Matthias’s dagger, she wanted to make another. It had been so wonderful to work with, and she wanted to add a blade to her ever-growing collection.
A bell rang throughout the Kingdom, and a roar of victory lifted to the skies. Adalia grinned as she glanced around the store. People were cheering and clapping. This would never grow old.
Another Shadowkin had chosen Lucius as their forever kingdom . . . she hoped it would stay that way.
Adalia paid the attendant and thanked them as she left the store. Next stop, The Blazing Anvil.
James had been expecting her, so all her items were wrapped and ready to go. They chatted before Adalia headed off, promising to return later in the week to work on a new blade design together.
Walking past the alleyway that led to the music store, her mind wandered to the prince.
What of Matthias? What was he experiencing right now? Did he believe the word on the dagger? That he was worthy . . . that he could have those things his heart desired the most? That he was worthy of love?
Thoughts plagued her mind as Adalia finished in town. Maybe she should visit her parents. She hadn’t seen them in a few days and a cup of tea and a chat with her mother was definitely what she needed, but first, these groceries needed to be taken home.
“Where’s father?” Adalia asked her mother casually.
Her mother’s light chestnut hair was in a loose, but neat bun at the back of her neck, her brown eyes dancing with joy as she clutched a cup of tea in her hands.
They sat in the garden, snacking on freshly baked lemon tartlets and miniature pink meringues. The air was cool, and the sun had just the right amount of bite to it as it cast its rays upon their faces.
“You know him. If he’s not here at home, he’s out in the bay fishing. I hope he catches lots, as I would love to have baked fish for dinner tonight.”
