Page 18 of Enchanting the Elf
“I think I can manage.”
For the first time, Florence’s smile seems pasted on, the light in her blue eyes dimmed, and it reinforces my resolve to get her away from me before that becomes a regular occurrence.
Why does my heart prick at the thought of saying goodbye?
Without another word, I turn and stride in the direction of my home, knowing she’ll follow and unwilling to see whatever emotion she’s trying to mask.
Chapter eleven
Florence
I manage to make it back to Adelbert’s house without tripping and without more than a couple of necessary words exchanged between us.
“Please follow me to my study.”
Oh look, he speaks in full sentences.
He wasn’t very talkative before, but he was especially sullen—even by his own standards—on the walk. Where before, I thought his steps were light, on the way back it almost seemedlike he was restraining himself from full-on stomping through the forest.
Once through the door, I keep a few paces behind Adelbert, waiting for him to set down his stack of books. The two books in my arms are digging into my skin, and I shift as I wait for him to move aside so I can set mine on the ornate desk. The ancient books are written in a beautifully elegant script I could only wish to read, and I assume it must be Elvish.
Tracing a finger along the title, I shore myself up and ask, “Is everything alright?”
Adelbert scoffs. “Of course not. If everything was ‘alright’ then you wouldn’t be here, would you?”
Ouch.
My head rears back and I suck in an audible breath, my eyes blinking furiously. I’m struck speechless.
Shaking his head, he lets out an exasperated sigh and runs a hand through his hair, slightly tugging on it at the end.
“My apologies. That was harsher than I intended. I’m just under a lot of pressure right now. But it’s no excuse for speaking to you like that.”
“I understand. I’ll… um…” I swallow and blink against the burning sensation in my eyes. “I’ll let you get to your work. Would it be alright if I sit in the garden?” I squeak out.
“Florence.” My name holds more emotion than I’ve heard from Adelbert since we met.
I tuck my hair behind my ear and will a smile to my face.
“I don’t want to disturb you. Maybe we can measure the limit around the house, and then I can wait outside without bothering you any further.”
Adelbert’s lips press into a flat line and a muscle jumps in his jaw.
“I shall remain in this room all day. We can measure the distance from here, but it should be all the way to the tree line. Come.”
Adelbert pops open a drawer on an antique bureau in the corner and pockets some type of fabric before marching toward the front door.
Once again, I find myself trailing behind him as we make our way through the house I have yet to explore.
The house is an old three-story manor and looks like someone else had decorated it, unless Adelbert has an interest in what Dede would call “old-money chic.” Wooden floors, high ceilings, and with antique paintings lining the walls, I think it’s okay to say that he’s most likely inherited it and hasn’t bothered to change much from the previous owner.
Not like I’m going to be asking him such personal questions anytime soon.
We exit into the now-bright morning and I breathe in the fresh forest air, already feeling better after our little exchange.
Adelbert comes to a stop in front of his study window on the side of the house.
“Our bond is not as strong as Everett and Sadie’s. If you go beyond the hundred-yard limit it should not have such severe effects as the sensations she experienced on the island. I would still like to take precautions and minimize any discomfort either of us could experience.”
