The dark prince shook his head and smiled as Adalia took her place.
After three rounds of dartbourne, Ada was the clear winner and, much to her pleasure, Matthias agreed to let her stay for more than a few minutes.
“You’re lucky you’re good at the game. I’ve spared you the embarrassment of having to leave when you only just got here,” he murmured as his intense gaze travelled over her face, as if he was tracing it to memory.
“And here I was thinking you let me stay because you can’t say no to me,” Adalia teased.
“Well, there’s that too,” Matthias replied, a smile tugging at his lips.
Colour rose into Adalia’s face and she quickly busied herself pulling the blades from the tree trunk as Matthias leaned against it with his arms folded, studying her.
“So, are you going to invite me inside?” Adalia asked sweetly.
Matthias looked towards his cabin. “You’re welcome to come in as long as you don’t mind cramped spaces.”
“I promise I don’t take up that much room,” she crooned.
Chuckling, Matthias pushed off the tree and sauntered towards his cabin. He held the door open with one hand and ushered her in with the other, following closely behind. As Adalia passed him, she gently brushed her shoulder against his bare chest and felt him shudder under the graze of fabric touching his skin. Smiling, she stepped inside.
The cabin was warm from the small fire burning in the fireplace. Everything was how she remembered it. Small table in the corner, shelves with trinkets, books, and a large chair in front of the fire.
“Do you want something to eat?” Matthias offered.
Adalia gazed around the room as she wandered, throwing a glance over her shoulder at his question. “The Prince of Darkness offering to make me food? . . . It’s unheard of.” She grinned.
“I’ll have you know. I can make a mean omelette . . . oh, and toast,” he teased.
A giggle erupted from Adalia’s stomach, and she covered her mouth, stifling the sound.
“Don’t do that . . .” Matthias’ eyes darkened.
“Do what?”
“Hide your laugh.”
“Why?”
Matthias slowly strode towards her, and warmth crept its way into her body. His gaze pierced her soul. “Because it sounds like music . . . and I love music.”
Adalia felt her face flush with colour, and she smiled softly at him. “What food are you making me?”
The prince stopped a few feet away and ran a hand through his soft brown waves. “Well, to be honest. I don’t really have a lot here, but I could make you a hot drink. Tea? Coffee?”
“Tea sounds lovely,” Adalia replied.
Matthias nodded and moved to the small kitchen on the other side of the cabin, busying himself with the iron kettle and some cups.
“Make yourself comfortable,” he chatted.
Adalia wandered around the room and spied the small book he was always writing things in, laying open on the seat of the chair. Moving to it, she ran her eyes over the page. Mostly it was little scribbles and lines of words here and there.
“May I read this?” she asked.
Matthias turned to face her, and wariness filled his face as he registered what she was pointing to. “You can read that page and only that page, and you must promise not to tease me.”
Adalia grinned. “But you tease all the time.”
The prince’s brow rose, and his eyes danced with playfulness. Adalia averted her gaze and cleared her throat, smiling as she did so. She picked the book up and sat in its place. The lyrics she read were filled with so much emotion and feeling. There was pain and heartache in the letters that sat side by side to form words. It was almost unbearable to read.
