The prince pulled back and wiped his eyes. “I’m sorry you went through that because of me.”
Hadassah dropped to her knees in front of her son and cupped his face in her hands. “Never ever apologise for anything, my son. You were a gift given to me and I thank the light every day that you are mine. Now that I have you back, I’m never letting you go again.” She smiled softly at him.
They spent the next few hours getting to know one another. Matthias learnt that his grandparents, aunty and uncle all lived in Lucius and would be so eager to meet him. He also learnt that his mother hadn’t found love in Lucius and was living by herself. His heart ached for her, but she reassured him she was happy.
“So, what were you doing on the beach yesterday?” Matthias asked.
“I make jewellery from shells. At each low tide, I head down the shores to look for unique and colourful shells. Would you like to see?”
Matthias smiled as he nodded. “I would like that very much.”
Hadassah grinned and left the room, returning a short while later with a basket full of individually wrapped jewellery pieces. Pearl earrings on golden hooks, spotted junonias wrapped with thin bronze wire hanging from dainty chains. Calico scallops hanging from tiny pearl bead threads made the most beautiful necklaces as well.
Matthias was truly impressed with the large crown that Hadassah pulled from the basket; made from horn snail shells, tiny starfish and banded tulip shells. Each in shades of creams, browns and golds.
“You made this?” Matthias said in awe.
“Yes, isn’t she beautiful? It’s an honour to create things for the local girls in town. They love to wear them to parties, pretending to be princesses of the sea.” Hadassah smiled gently.
“You are very gifted,” Matthias murmured as he studied the crown again.
“Tell me what you do. What’s it really like being the prince of Oscuro? Do you have a lover? Do you have friends? I want to know everything about you. Did you ever live in The Grey or have you always dwelt in Oscuro?” His mother beamed as she packed the jewellery back into the basket and sat back at the table.
Matthias ran a hand through his hair and sighed. “There isn’t much to tell. I’ve only ever known Oscuro, and it’s a hellhole. I’ve never had friends. My only companion in life is Bones, my wolf, and as for lovers . . . I have been with a handful of women in my life, but none of them ever stick.”
Hadassah looked at him with sympathy filled eyes.
“It’s okay . . . I’m okay.” Matthias fiddled with the handle of his mug.
“And being a prince?” she asked softly.
“It has its pros and cons.”
“What are the pros?”
Matthias shifted in his seat. “That people leave me alone?”
“And the cons?”
“That the king is my father,” Matthias confessed.
His mother sniffed, and tears began to fall freely again.
“Please don’t cry. It’s okay. None of this is your fault,” the prince said as he reached to squeeze her hand. “My father is who he is, and one day he’s going to get what’s coming to him.”
“I am still so sorry for the life you have lived; I plan on making it up to you for the rest of it.” Hadassah whispered as she wiped a tear.
Matthias smiled at her. “There is no need for that. Just live a good life here and that will make me happy.”
Hadassah nodded as she sipped her tea. “Tell me about the brunette you were with on the beach yesterday. Is she more than a friend?”
Feeling his cheeks warm, Matthias grinned. “She’s definitely a friend, but beyond that, I am uncertain. It’s early, but with her, things feel different.”
“She can’t seem to take her eyes off you, I noticed,” Hadassah smiled.
Matthias shrugged. “I’m not sure what she is looking at. I’m no one special.”
“She sees this.” Hadassah reached up and placed her hand on his chest. “The heart inside you, despite what you’ve been through.”
